Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 25m
Distance
247.3 mi
398 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Union, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Sheepshead Bay, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Union, NY to Sheepshead Bay, NY is 247.3 miles and takes about 5h 25m via NY 17 and NJ 17, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily traversing New York and New Jersey. Expect a drive that is mostly highway, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. Given the relatively short duration and the efficient route, it's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without significant detours.
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
123.6 miles from Union, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 106 mi | 2h 12m |
| State Highway 8 | 36.8 mi | 41m |
| NJ 17 | 22.7 mi | 29m |
| New York State Thruway | 13.7 mi | 15m |
| County Road 16 | 11.8 mi | 16m |
| State Route 80 | 8.8 mi | 12m |
| Rexford Street | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| NJ 3 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Union, NY and Sheepshead Bay, NY.
Start on Kiley Road
Turn right onto CR 46
Turn right onto NY 13
Continue on NY 13
Turn left onto NY 13; NY 80
Continue on NY 13; NY 80
Continue on NY 13; NY 80
Continue on NY 80
Continue on NY 26; NY 80
Continue on NY 26; NY 80
Turn left onto CR 16
Turn left onto NY 23
Turn left onto CR 44
Turn right onto NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Turn left onto NY 23
Turn right onto NY 8
Continue on NY 8
Continue on NY 8
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
Take the exit
Merge onto NY 17
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
Take the exit
Merge onto NJ 3
Continue on US 1; US 9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
Take the exit
Merge onto NJ 139
Continue on NJ 139
Continue on I 78
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
Take the exit
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
Take the exit
Continue on I 278
Take the exit onto NY 27
Take the exit onto NY 27
Turn left onto NY 27
Turn right onto NY 27
Turn left onto Avenue P
Turn right onto Ocean Avenue
Turn left onto Avenue Y
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid potential rush hour congestion, especially as you get closer to the New York City metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $40, this route is easily manageable in a single day. The longest continuous stretch is 106 miles on NY 17, so plan your break around that point if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can sometimes be more spread out on interstate stretches.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 54 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.6 miles or 2h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sheepshead Bay, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Union, 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 Union, NY
This is one driving day of about 247.3 miles and 5h 25m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 123.6 miles from Union, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 186 and 237.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$40.19 one way
$80.38 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $43.50 | $87.00 |
| premium | $4.87 | $47.38 | $94.75 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $52.60 | $105.21 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.68
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
$40
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.2 | 0 | $25.97 | $11.87 |
| Efficient EV | 61.8 | 0 | $21.64 | $9.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98.9 | 1 | $34.62 | $15.83 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Union on Sunday
Local time
2:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Rain Showers
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 1:03PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Late night in Sheepshead Bay on Sunday
Local time
2:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Rain Showers
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 1:03PM EDT by NWS Binghamton 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This route is predominantly highway, with 76% of the drive on freeways. You'll experience a long stretch of 106 miles on NY 17, which is a significant portion of the total distance. The transition to surface roads will occur after this extensive highway segment. Be prepared for a high number of exits and potential merging traffic as you approach your destination, typical for routes with a large highway component.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and State Highway 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 186 miles in.
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 33 significant decision points across 247.3 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 186 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.2 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 202.6 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Union, NY and Sheepshead Bay, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany, New York City, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway, Hoboken and Manhattan.
Nyst: Albany
New York City
Jersey City
Pulaski Skyway
Hoboken
Manhattan
Founded 1791
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 25m. Total distance: 247.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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