Wanakah, NY to Brooklyn, NY is 376.7 miles and takes about 8h 9m via Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and I 81, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though an overnight is recommended. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily traversing New York and Pennsylvania. Expect a mix of highway cruising and some surface road driving as you make your way towards the bustling city. It's a manageable drive for a weekend trip, especially if you plan for an overnight stop to break up the nearly 8 hours of driving time.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
188.3 miles from Wanakah, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 8m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 196 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,254 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,020
Quietest
1 AM
~471 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
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 Wanakah, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
1
Start on NY 5
10 ft·4 sec·Lake Shore Road
2
Turn right onto Amsdell Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Amsdell Road
3
Turn left onto US 20
4.3 mi·7 min·Southwestern Boulevard
4
Turn right onto US 20A
2.6 mi·3 min·Big Tree Road
5
Continue on US 20A
1.5 mi·2 min·West Quaker Street
6
Continue on US 20A
5.2 mi·8 min·Quaker Road
7
Continue on US 20A
0.3 mi·43 sec·Hamburg Street
8
Enter roundabout onto US 20A; NY 16; NY 78
35 ft·0 sec·Hamburg Street
9
Continue on US 20A; NY 16; NY 78
99 ft·1 sec·Hamburg Street
10
Continue on US 20A; NY 16; NY 78
1.8 mi·4 min·Main Street
11
Continue on US 20A; NY 78
11 mi·15 min·Big Tree Road
12
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Varysburg Road
13
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Road
14
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi·8 min·West Buffalo Street
15
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi·10 min·Perry Center Road
16
Continue on CR 64
2.3 mi·3 min·Perry Road
17
Turn right onto NY 36
1.3 mi·1 min·Mount Morris Road
18
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi·4 min·North Main Street
19
Continue on NY 36
4.1 mi·7 min·Sonyea Road
20
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
21
Merge onto I 390
33 mi·37 min·Genesee Expressway
22
Merge onto I 86
105 mi·2 hr 2 min·Southern Tier Expressway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
24
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.
25
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.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
27
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
28
Merge onto I 80
63 mi·1 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
30
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
32
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
36
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight lane.
37
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
38
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
39
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
41
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
42
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
43
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
44
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
45
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
46
Take the exit onto NY 27
1.5 mi·2 min·NY 27
Exit 24Toward NY 27 East: Prospect ExpresswayUse the slight left / straight lanes.
47
Take the exit onto NY 27
0.4 mi·47 sec·NY 27
Exit 5Toward NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical CenterUse the slight right lane.
48
Turn left onto NY 27
1.2 mi·2 min·Caton Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
49
Continue on NY 27
0.4 mi·31 sec·Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
50
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Nostrand Avenue
51
Arrive at destination
Nostrand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour duration, splitting this drive over two days is a good idea to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight. With only 2 recommended stops, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or where services are readily available. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches on the Southern Tier Expressway, as services might be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $62 should help you budget for gas along the way.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 188.3 miles from Wanakah, NY, or about 4h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 83 miles or 2h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 188.3 miles or 4h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 188.3 miles or 4h 8m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brooklyn, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wanakah, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wanakah, NY
Aim for roughly 188 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Brooklyn, NY
Aim for roughly 188 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Wanakah, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Southern Tier Expressway for about 104.5 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 199.3 and 370 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
199.3 mi into trip|~4h 21m 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
252.7 mi into trip|~5h 24m 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...
7
364.8 mi into trip|~7h 44m 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
365 mi into trip|~7h 44m 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
8
370 mi into trip|~7h 56m in
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
Use the left lane.
Exit 2
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.94 one way
$121.88 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg132 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$66.13
$132.26
premium
$4.85
$71.90
$143.80
diesel
$4.80
$71.13
$142.26
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
$61
Tolls
$16
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
113
1
$39.55
$18.08
Efficient EV
94.2
1
$32.96
$15.07
EV Truck/SUV
150.7
1
$52.74
$24.11
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 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 17, 2026
Origin
Wanakah, NY
Evening
in Wanakah on Monday
Local time
8:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Smoke
E 2 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Brooklyn, NY
Evening
in Brooklyn on Monday
Local time
8:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Smoke
NW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
188 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
10 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
8h 9m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 363.7
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 363.7
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 376.7
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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 376.7
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 363.7
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 363.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 63% of the drive on freeways. You'll experience a long stretch of 104.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway before transitioning to other major roads. Expect a consistent cruising speed for a significant portion of the trip, with exits becoming more frequent as you approach your destination. The road profile is generally smooth, suitable for steady progress.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
51 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.5 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 199.3 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 29 significant decision points across 376.7 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 199.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 252.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 364.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,884 ft49 ft
Total Climb
3,195 ft
Total Descent
3,738 ft
Highest Point
1,884 ft
~269.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,835 ft
Notable High Points
1,533 ft at ~26.9 miles+816 ft prominence
1,697 ft at ~80.7 miles+653 ft prominence
1,884 ft at ~269.1 miles+560 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wanakah, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
Brooklyn, the "Borough of Homes and Churches," is one of the five boroughs of New York City. It used to be a separate city, and still feels much like one. It has about 2.5 million inhabitants. If separated from the rest of New York City, Brooklyn would be the 4th most populous American city.
Brooklyn is on the westernmost point of Long Island and shares a land boundary with Queens, which partially encircles Brooklyn to the north, east and south; Manhattan lies across the East River to the west and north of Brooklyn, and Staten Island is across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the southwest.
Brooklyn is enjoying a period of growth and affluence not seen since before World War II. The Brooklyn Academy of Music boasts world-class theater performances, and the nearby Barclays Center is the home of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.
Top landmarks
•Brooklyn Bridge — bridge in New York City, crossing the East River
•Brooklyn Museum — art museum in Brooklyn, New York
The longest stretch is about 104.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 188 miles on day one.
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.
Yes — we found about 36 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 Brooklyn, 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 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 199.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 252.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 364.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brooklyn, NY before the return drive.
