Union, NY to Washington Heights, NY is 226.6 miles and takes about 4h 50m via NY 17 and NJ 17, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, covering ground in both New York and New Jersey. Given its predominantly highway nature and reasonable duration, it's a straightforward drive suitable for a single day. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
113.3 miles from Union, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
106 mi
2h 12m
State Highway 8
36.8 mi
41m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
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 4
6.7 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 106 mi, about 2h 12m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,060 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,244 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 72 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 Union, NY and Washington Heights, NY.
1
Start on Kiley Road
73 ft·4 sec·Kiley Road
2
Turn right onto CR 46
0.7 mi·1 min·Delphi Road
3
Turn right onto NY 13
1.4 mi·1 min·Rippleton Road
4
Continue on NY 13
0.2 mi·25 sec·State Route 13
5
Turn left onto NY 13; NY 80
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
6
Continue on NY 13; NY 80
1.1 mi·1 min·McKinley Street
7
Continue on NY 13; NY 80
1.9 mi·2 min·State Route 13
8
Continue on NY 80
6.1 mi·8 min·State Route 80
9
Continue on NY 26; NY 80
2.7 mi·3 min·State Route 80
10
Continue on NY 26; NY 80
2.2 mi·3 min·State Highway 26
11
Turn left onto CR 16
12 mi·16 min·County Road 16
12
Turn left onto NY 23
1.2 mi·1 min·NY 23
13
Turn left onto CR 44
2.8 mi·3 min·County Road 44
14
Turn right onto NY 12
1.2 mi·1 min·State Highway 12
15
Continue on NY 12
0.6 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
16
Turn left onto NY 23
8.3 mi·9 min·Rexford Street
17
Turn right onto NY 8
18 mi·20 min·State Highway 8
18
Continue on NY 8
0.4 mi·29 sec·Airport Road
19
Continue on NY 8
19 mi·21 min·State Highway 8
20
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.3 mi·18 sec·Oak Street
21
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.4 mi·44 sec·State Highway 10
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward NY 17 East
23
Merge onto NY 17
105 mi·2 hr 11 min·NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·59 sec
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York CityUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York CityUse the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto I 87
14 mi·15 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
28
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
29
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
32
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
33
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
35
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
37
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi·45 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
38
Take the exit onto US 9
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 9
Exit 1AToward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Keep slight left at fork onto US 9
0.2 mi·42 sec·US 9
Toward West 178th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Turn left onto US 9
0.2 mi·34 sec·Broadway
Use the straight / left lanes.
41
Arrive at destination
US 9
Trip Plan
For this 4h 50m drive, leaving in the morning is a good idea to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you get closer to Washington Heights. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility in when you stop. Plan for one break, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on fuel, as the estimated cost is $37; it's always wise to top off before starting or when you see a good price. Pay attention to the road signs as you transition from highways to local streets in the final miles.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 113.3 miles from Union, NY, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106 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 50 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.3 miles or 2h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington Heights, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 226.6 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Union, 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 NY 17 for about 106 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 186 and 226.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
186 mi into trip|~3h 55m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
9
201.2 mi into trip|~4h 14m in|NY 17
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
202.6 mi into trip|~4h 15m in|NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
226.1 mi into trip|~4h 48m in|US 9
Take the exit onto US 9 toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street
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 1A
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th...
8
226.2 mi into trip|~4h 48m in|US 9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 9 toward West 178th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward West 178th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.66 one way
$79.33 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$42.98
$85.97
premium
$5.23
$46.66
$93.32
diesel
$6.28
$55.99
$111.98
Estimated Tolls: $16.68
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(13.7 mi)$0.68
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
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68
0
$23.79
$10.88
Efficient EV
56.7
0
$19.83
$9.06
EV Truck/SUV
90.6
1
$31.72
$14.50
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Union, NY
Morning
in Union on Saturday
Local time
7:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
W 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Washington Heights, NY
Morning
in Washington Heights on Saturday
Local time
7:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
NE 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 50m on the road
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.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 226.6
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 226.6
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
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 226.6
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
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 226.6
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 226.6
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 226.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is about 80% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained roads. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 106 miles on NY 17. You'll experience a shift from highway cruising to surface roads as you approach your destination, indicated by an increase in exits and local traffic. This transition is typical for many routes entering a more populated area.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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.
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 25 significant decision points across 226.6 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,859 ft168 ft
Total Climb
1,264 ft
Total Descent
2,345 ft
Highest Point
1,859 ft
~127.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,691 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Union, NY and Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany and New York City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 226.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.68 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 7 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 Washington Heights, 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Washington Heights, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
