The Bronx, NY to Elma Center, NY is 366.3 miles and takes about 7h 36m via I 86 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It's mostly highway driving, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. Consider this a practical way to cover distance efficiently between these two points in the state. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
183.1 miles from The Bronx, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
100 mi
1h 56m
Christopher Columbus Highway
68.2 mi
1h 20m
I 81
58.1 mi
1h 9m
Genesee Expressway
32.9 mi
37m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
Varysburg Road
10.9 mi
15m
Big Tree Road
10.5 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 100 mi, about 1h 56m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 336 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,190 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,979
Quietest
1 AM
~446 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between The Bronx, NY and Elma Center, NY.
1
Start on Cruger Avenue
398 ft·30 sec·Cruger Avenue
2
Turn sharp right onto Bronxdale Avenue
384 ft·15 sec·Bronxdale Avenue
3
Turn right onto Hunt Avenue
0.2 mi·38 sec·Hunt Avenue
4
At end of road, turn right onto Rhinelander Avenue
0.1 mi·30 sec·Rhinelander Avenue
5
Continue on Unionport Road
0.2 mi·32 sec·Unionport Road
6
Turn right onto Morris Park Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Morris Park Avenue
7
Turn right onto East Tremont Avenue
0.2 mi·41 sec·East Tremont Avenue
8
Turn left onto East 177th Street
413 ft·13 sec·East 177th Street
9
Turn right onto Sheridan Boulevard
506 ft·8 sec·Sheridan Boulevard
Toward NY 895 South, I 95 South
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward I 95 South: Cross Bronx Expressway, George Washington Bridge
11
Merge onto I 95
2.6 mi·3 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
13
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
14
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi·39 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 69Toward I 80 West: Paterson, HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 80
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
24
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
25
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
26
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
33 mi·37 min·Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
30
Turn left onto NY 36
4.3 mi·7 min·Sonyea Road
31
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi·4 min·Main Street
32
Continue on NY 36
1.3 mi·1 min·Mount Morris Road
33
Turn left onto CR 64
2.3 mi·3 min·Perry Road
34
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi·10 min·Leicester Road
35
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi·8 min·East Buffalo Street
36
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Road
37
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Varysburg Road
38
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Big Tree Road
39
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
40
Merge onto NY 400
3.9 mi·4 min·Aurora Expressway
41
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Jamison Road, ElmaUse the slight right lane.
42
Turn right onto Jamison Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·Jamison Road
43
Turn left onto Bowen Road
1.7 mi·2 min·Bowen Road
44
Turn right onto Woodard Road
98 ft·4 sec·Woodard Road
45
Arrive at destination
Woodard Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7h 36m drive, aim to leave early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially when departing The Bronx. With 366.3 miles and two recommended stops, you can comfortably break up the drive. The longest stretch is 100 miles on I 86, so plan your fuel and rest breaks around that, perhaps at one of your two stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 100-mile mark on I 86, as services can be spaced out on interstates.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.1 miles from The Bronx, NY, or about 3h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 81 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.1 miles or 3h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elma Center, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving The Bronx, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from The Bronx, NY
This is one driving day of about 366.3 miles and 7h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from The Bronx, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 86 for about 100 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 364.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Bronxdale Avenue
Turn sharp right onto Bronxdale Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
8
6.8 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
7 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
9.3 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 69
Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
7
364.1 mi into trip|~7h 32m in
Take the exit toward Jamison Road, Elma
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Jamison Road, Elma
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.71 one way
$129.42 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$70.02
$140.03
premium
$5.28
$76.09
$152.17
diesel
$6.18
$89.11
$178.22
Estimated Tolls: $16.28
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New Jersey Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.28
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$106–$131
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
109.9
1
$38.46
$17.58
Efficient EV
91.6
1
$32.05
$14.65
EV Truck/SUV
146.5
1
$51.28
$23.44
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 17, 2026
Origin
The Bronx, NY
Afternoon
in The Bronx on Saturday
Local time
1:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Chance Rain Showers
NW 12 mph48% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:20AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:29AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Destination
Elma Center, NY
Afternoon
in Elma Center on Saturday
Local time
1:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Chance Rain Showers
N 15 mph41% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:20AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:29AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
38°F
Barton, NY
183 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 36m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 12.6
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 12.6
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 12.6
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 12.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 63% of the 366.3 miles on major roads like I 86 and I 81. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 100 miles on I 86 without needing to exit, offering a continuous cruising experience. The longest stretch on surface roads will be less than the remaining 37% of the total mileage. Expect a steady pace with numerous exits in certain sections.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100 mi on I 86.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and Christopher Columbus Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Bronxdale Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 31 significant decision points across 366.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Bronxdale Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,943 ft53 ft
Total Climb
4,262 ft
Total Descent
3,511 ft
Highest Point
1,943 ft
~104.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,890 ft
Notable High Points
1,943 ft at ~104.7 miles+700 ft prominence
1,801 ft at ~340.1 miles+998 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from The Bronx, NY to Elma Center, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Letchworth Park along the way.
The Bronx is one of the five boroughs of New York. Known for Yankee Stadium, the home field of the New York Yankees baseball team, it has been a borough of New York City since 1898. The vast Bronx Zoo houses hundreds of species of animals. Nearby, the sprawling New York Botanical Garden features a landmark greenhouse with rainforest and cactus displays. By the Hudson River, Wave Hill is a landscaped public garden with wooded paths and a cultural center.
Top landmarks
•Bronx Zoo — metropolitan zoo in the Bronx, New York City, New York, USA
•New York Botanical Garden — botanical garden in the Bronx, New York City
•Woodlawn Cemetery — cemetery in the Bronx, New York City
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 36m. Total distance: 366.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 36m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 100 miles on I 86. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.28 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 33 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Elma Center, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Bronxdale Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Elma Center, NY before the return drive.
