This 285.5-mile journey from Thompson, NY to The Bronx, NY is estimated to take around 6 hours and 8 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. With a fuel cost of approximately $47, the drive primarily utilizes I 81, the Keystone Shortway, and I 380, with 54% of the route on highways. You'll be traversing within the Northeast region, staying within New York State for the entirety of your travel. Consider starting early to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach your destination. This route is best suited for a single day of travel rather than splitting it into an overnight stay.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
142.7 miles from Thompson, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
New York State Thruway
6.3 mi
7m
Christopher Columbus Highway
5.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
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 Thompson, NY and The Bronx, NY.
1
Start on Townline Road
0.9 mi·3 min·Townline Road
2
Turn right onto Avery Road
0.7 mi·3 min·Avery Road
3
Turn left onto NY 14
2.8 mi·3 min·NY 14
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Use the right lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
6
Merge onto I 90
6.3 mi·7 min·New York State Thruway
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
9
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
10
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
11
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
12
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
14
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
15
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
16
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
17
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
18
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
19
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
20
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
21
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
22
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
23
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
24
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
26
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
31
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
32
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
36
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
38
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
40
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
41
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
43
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
45
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
47
Continue on I 95; US 1
2.9 mi·3 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 4BToward Rosedale AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Continue on Cross Bronx Expressway Service Road
0.3 mi·50 sec·Cross Bronx Expressway Service Road
50
Turn right onto Noble Avenue
0.1 mi·20 sec·Noble Avenue
51
Turn right onto Bronx River Avenue
0.2 mi·34 sec·Bronx River Avenue
52
Turn straight onto East Tremont Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·East Tremont Avenue
53
Turn left onto White Plains Road
0.5 mi·1 min·White Plains Road
Use the left lane.
54
Turn right onto Cruger Avenue
0.1 mi·32 sec·Cruger Avenue
55
Arrive at destination
Cruger Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour-plus drive, aim for an early morning departure from Thompson, NY, to avoid potential delays and maximize your daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically along your route, perhaps around the halfway point, to break up the nearly 286 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before entering longer stretches like the 98.8 miles on I 81, and be prepared for increased traffic as you get closer to The Bronx. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means staying alert for changes in road conditions and speed limits.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 142.7 miles from Thompson, NY, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 63 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.7 miles or 3h 12m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near The Bronx, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Thompson, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Thompson, NY
This is one driving day of about 285.5 miles and 6h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Thompson, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 98.8 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 37
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.4 and 276.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
4.4 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
11.1 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
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 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
161.4 mi into trip|~3h 34m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
275.9 mi into trip|~5h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
276.2 mi into trip|~5h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.19 one way
$92.37 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$50.12
$100.24
premium
$4.85
$54.49
$108.98
diesel
$4.80
$53.91
$107.82
Estimated Tolls: $16.32
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(6.3 mi)$0.32
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
$46
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.7
1
$29.98
$13.70
Efficient EV
71.4
0
$24.98
$11.42
EV Truck/SUV
114.2
1
$39.97
$18.27
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Thompson, NY
Late night
in Thompson on Monday
Local time
4:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Partly Cloudy
E 2 to 7 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 2:45PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
The Bronx, NY
Late night
in The Bronx on Monday
Local time
4:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Smoke
S 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 2:45PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
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
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 8m 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...
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 275.6
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 285.5
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...
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 275.6
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 275.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, even with 54% of the route on highways. While you'll experience a significant 98.8-mile stretch on I 81, the overall character suggests a more dynamic driving experience than a pure interstate cruise. The combination of major highways and other roads means you'll encounter varying speed limits and road conditions. This isn't a monotonous drive; rather, it offers a mix that keeps you engaged behind the wheel as you navigate through different types of terrain.
Only 54% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
55 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 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 4.4 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 37 significant decision points across 285.5 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 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,923 ft53 ft
Total Climb
2,016 ft
Total Descent
2,404 ft
Highest Point
1,923 ft
~183.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,870 ft
Notable High Points
1,923 ft at ~183.5 miles+661 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Thompson, NY and The Bronx, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.
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 6h 8m. Total distance: 285.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 8m 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 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.32 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 27 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 The Bronx, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, General Grant National Memorial and Hamilton Grange National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at The Bronx, NY before the return drive.
