Traveling from Vestal, NY to New York City covers approximately 183.7 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 53 minutes. Because this journey is relatively short, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-81, I-380, and the Keystone Shortway during this Northeast transit. Expect to spend around $29 on fuel for the trip, making it a manageable expense for a quick getaway. Whether you are heading to the city for business or a change of pace, the route is straightforward enough to plan as a simple round trip or a one-way excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
91.8 miles from Vestal, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
63.3 mi
1h 19m
I 81
53.4 mi
1h 3m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Essex Freeway
15.8 mi
20m
Southern Tier Expressway
12 mi
15m
I 84
3.7 mi
4m
Holland Tunnel
2 mi
4m
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 63.3 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vestal, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on Front Street
103 ft·10 sec·Front Street
2
Turn left onto Main Street
243 ft·8 sec·Main Street
3
Turn right onto NY 434
0.7 mi·1 min·Vestal Parkway East
4
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·48 sec
5
Turn straight onto NY 26
516 ft·8 sec·NY 26
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·52 sec
Toward NY 17 East: Binghamton
7
Merge onto NY 17
12 mi·15 min·Southern Tier Expressway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
9
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.
10
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.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
12
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
13
Merge onto I 80
63 mi·1 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
15
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
17
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight lane.
22
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
23
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
24
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
26
Take the exit
305 ft·10 sec
Toward BrooklynUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft·7 sec·Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker StreetUse the straight lane.
28
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi·1 min·Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi·1 min·Broadway
Use the straight lane.
30
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth arrival in New York City, aim to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours when congestion on the interstates is most likely. Since the trip takes under four hours, one well-planned stop is usually sufficient to stretch your legs and refresh your focus. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer highway stretches, as service areas can be spaced out. Given the single-day nature of this 183.7-mile route, take advantage of the flexibility to leave early in the morning to maximize your time in the city. Budgeting for that $29 in fuel costs upfront will keep your travel planning stress-free.
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 91.8 miles from Vestal, NY, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 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 40 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.8 miles or 1h 50m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Vestal, 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 Vestal, NY
This is one driving day of about 183.7 miles and 3h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Vestal, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 63.3 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.3 and 179 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
13.3 mi into trip|~18m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
66.7 mi into trip|~1h 22m 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...
6
71.2 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
7
178.8 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Take the exit toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
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 NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
8
179 mi into trip|~3h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.24 one way
$60.48 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$32.70
$65.39
premium
$4.92
$35.60
$71.21
diesel
$5.61
$40.56
$81.12
Estimated Tolls: $16.14
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.14
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
$30
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
22 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Wawa - Tesla Supercharger
Tannersville, PA
Tesla
16 DCFC
Oakdale Commons Shopping Mall - Tesla Supercharger
Johnson City, NY
Tesla
12 DCFC
Five Mile Point Plaza - Tesla Supercharger
Kirkwood, NY
Tesla
12 DCFC
Scranton, PA Rechargery @ Sheetz - Scranton Carbondale Hwy
Scranton, PA
IONNA
10 DCFC
Courtyard by Marriott Binghamton
Vestal, NY
EVGATEWAY
8 DCFC
The Spot Restaurant - Tesla Supercharger
Binghamton, NY
Tesla
8 DCFC
Wawa - Tesla Supercharger
Mt. Pocono, PA
Tesla
8 DCFC
The Crossings Premium Outlets - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.1
0
$19.29
$8.82
Efficient EV
45.9
0
$16.07
$7.35
EV Truck/SUV
73.5
0
$25.72
$11.76
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Vestal, NY
Late night
in Vestal on Sunday
Local time
12:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New York City, NY
Late night
in New York City on Sunday
Local time
12:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
E 6 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
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
12 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
3h 53m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
African Burial Ground National Monument
National Monument
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...
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 183.7
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...
1 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 183.7
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 183.7
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 183.7
A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 183.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive is designed for efficiency, with 61% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You should prepare for a consistent interstate experience, as the route requires focused attention rather than leisurely cruising. The longest uninterrupted segment you will encounter is a 63.3-mile stretch along the Keystone Shortway, which sets the pace for much of the travel. As you transition between these major corridors, the character of the road remains largely predictable and fast-moving. It is a functional drive that prioritizes reaching your destination promptly rather than providing a technical or winding backcountry experience.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Keystone Shortway and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.3 miles in near I 81.
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 22 significant decision points across 183.7 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 13.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.2 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,809 ft17 ft
Total Climb
1,252 ft
Total Descent
2,048 ft
Highest Point
1,809 ft
~76.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,791 ft
Notable High Points
1,809 ft at ~76.5 miles+687 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Vestal, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
New York (known as "The Big Apple", "NYC," and often called "New York City") is a global center for media, entertainment, art, fashion, research, finance, and trade. The bustling, cosmopolitan heart of the 4th largest metropolis in the world and by far the most populous city in the United States, New York has long been a key entry point and a defining city for the nation.
From the Statue of Liberty in the harbor to the Empire State Building towering over the Manhattan skyline, from the tunnels of the subway to the riches of Wall Street, from the bright signs of Times Square to the naturalistic beauty of Central Park, and from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York's landmarks are quintessential American landmarks. The city's neighborhoods and streets are so iconic they have become ingrained into the American consciousness.
Top landmarks
•Statue of Liberty — American icon in New York, United States
•National September 11 Memorial & Museum — memorial & museum in New York City commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks
•Plaza Hotel — hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York City
This 183.7-mile drive is a bit long for a comfortable same-day round trip, especially with a 10/10 complexity rating. You'll spend almost 4 hours each way just driving, so plan for a very full day or consider an overnight stay.
Family Friendly
While the 183.7-mile distance is short enough for kids, the 10/10 complexity rating means you'll be navigating a lot of turns and traffic, which could be stressful with a family in tow. You'll also want to pack snacks as there are no listed EV charging stops.
Solo Traveler
At under 4 hours and mostly highway, this 183.7-mile route is a very manageable solo drive. The gently rolling terrain should keep things interesting enough without being demanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.3 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.14 in tolls one way, starting with Holland Tunnel. 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 New York City, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.2 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at New York City, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
