The Bronx, NY to Hilton, NY is 337.7 miles and takes about 7h 12m via I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. While it features a substantial portion on major highways, much of the route utilizes surface roads, offering a more grounded travel experience. Plan for about two stops along the way, making it a manageable one-day drive if you get an early start.
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
168.9 miles from The Bronx, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
97.3 mi
1h 55m
Christopher Columbus Highway
68.2 mi
1h 20m
New York State Thruway
30.3 mi
34m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
Eastern Expressway
10.8 mi
13m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 97.3 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 336 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,210 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,900
Quietest
1 AM
~430 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Hilton, 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 right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
30
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
31
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
32
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
33
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
34
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
35
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
36
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
37
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
38
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
39
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
40
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
41
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
42
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
43
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
44
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
45
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
46
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
47
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
48
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
49
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
50
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
51
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 45Toward I 490: RochesterUse the slight right lane.
52
Continue on I 490
11 mi·13 min·Eastern Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
53
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
Exit 21Toward I 590 South, NY 590 NorthUse the slight right lane.
54
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward NY 590 North: IrondequoitUse the slight right lane.
55
Merge onto NY 590
3.5 mi·4 min·Outer Loop
Use the straight / right lanes.
56
Take the exit
0.5 mi·55 sec
Exit 10AToward NY 104 West: GreeceUse the slight right lane.
57
Merge onto NY 104
3.5 mi·4 min·Keeler Street Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
58
Continue on NY 104
0.2 mi·12 sec·Veterans Memorial Bridge
59
Continue on NY 104
2.7 mi·3 min·West Ridge Road
60
Continue on NY 104
4.2 mi·6 min·West Ridge Road
61
Turn right onto NY 261
2.9 mi·5 min·Manitou Road
62
Turn left onto NY 18
2.0 mi·2 min·Parma Center Road
63
Turn right onto NY 18; NY 259
1.5 mi·2 min·Hilton-Parma Corners Road
64
Continue on NY 18; NY 259
0.5 mi·53 sec·South Avenue
65
At end of road, turn left onto NY 18; NY 259
471 ft·13 sec·Main Street
66
Arrive at destination
NY 18
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, leaving the Bronx before 8 AM is your best bet for minimizing traffic. With only two planned stops recommended, you can easily manage this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from I 81 to surface roads, as fuel availability might vary. The $56 fuel estimate is based on the total mileage, so budget accordingly and consider topping off before you leave the interstate for extended periods. This route's manageable length means you have flexibility if you decide to linger at a stop.
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 168.9 miles from The Bronx, NY, or about 3h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.3 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 74 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.9 miles or 3h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hilton, 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 337.7 miles and 7h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 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 81 for about 97.3 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 46
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 315.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
315.8 mi into trip|~6h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 590 South, NY 590 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 21
Toward I 590 South, NY 590 North
8
315.9 mi into trip|~6h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 590 North: Irondequoit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NY 590 North: Irondequoit
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.63 one way
$109.26 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$59.28
$118.57
premium
$4.85
$64.46
$128.91
diesel
$4.80
$63.76
$127.53
Estimated Tolls: $17.80
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30.3 mi)$1.52
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
$55
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.3
1
$35.46
$16.21
Efficient EV
84.4
0
$29.55
$13.51
EV Truck/SUV
135.1
1
$47.28
$21.61
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
The Bronx, NY
Morning
in The Bronx on Monday
Local time
10:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Areas Of Smoke
NW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Hilton, NY
Morning
in Hilton on Monday
Local time
10:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny then Patchy Smoke
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
169 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
5 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 12m 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.
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 256.2
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...
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 267.9
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
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 11.6
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 11.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route has a highway share of 46%, meaning you'll spend less than half your time on major interstates. The longest stretch on a single highway is 97.3 miles on I 81, providing a significant period of consistent cruising. After this, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of your trip. Expect a mix of highway speeds and potentially more varied traffic patterns as you move onto local routes.
Only 46% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
66 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.3 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.8 miles in.
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 46 significant decision points across 337.7 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 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; at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,817 ft53 ft
Total Climb
2,709 ft
Total Descent
2,483 ft
Highest Point
1,817 ft
~96.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,764 ft
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 Hilton, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Albany 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
•New York Botanical Garden — botanical garden in the Bronx, New York City
•Woodlawn Cemetery — cemetery in the Bronx, New York City
•Hall of Fame for Great Americans — architectural structure
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 12m. Total distance: 337.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.3 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $17.80 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 31 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 Hilton, 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Women's Rights National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hilton, NY before the return drive.
