Wanakah, NY to Staten Island, NY is 373.4 miles and takes about 8h 8m via Southern Tier Expressway and I 81, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day if you start early. This trip stays within the Northeast region, covering both New York and Pennsylvania. Much of this route is highway driving, so expect a relatively quick transit. With 2 recommended days, you can comfortably break up the 373.4 miles and enjoy the drive without feeling rushed.
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
186.7 miles from Wanakah, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 6m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,553 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,185
Quietest
midnight
~450 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 46 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 Staten Island, 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
46 mi·59 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 28Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake HopatcongUse the slight right lane.
30
Continue on CR 631
0.2 mi·12 sec·Ledgewood Road
31
Continue on US 46
0.9 mi·1 min·US 46
32
Continue on US 46
213 ft·4 sec·US 46
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
33
Turn straight onto NJ 10
9.2 mi·11 min·Route 10 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on NJ 10
3.5 mi·4 min·NJ 10
Use the right lane.
35
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 287 South: Morristown, Morristown Airport
36
Merge onto I 287
0.8 mi·1 min·I 287
37
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 37Toward NJ 24 East: SpringfieldUse the slight right lane.
38
Continue on NJ 24
9.3 mi·10 min·NJ 24
Use the straight lane.
39
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark
40
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 78 East Local: NewarkUse the slight right lane.
41
Merge onto I 78
4.6 mi·5 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 54Toward Hillside, IrvingtonUse the slight right lane.
43
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·29 sec
Toward HillsideUse the straight / right lanes.
44
Continue on Winans Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·Winans Avenue
45
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
46
Turn left onto CR 628
0.3 mi·37 sec·Hillside Avenue
47
Continue on CR 628
0.4 mi·45 sec·Hillside Avenue
48
At end of road, turn right onto CR 623
2.1 mi·4 min·North Broad Street
49
Continue on CR 623
1.4 mi·3 min·Broad Street
50
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.3 mi·43 sec·Bayway
51
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.1 mi·11 sec·Brunswick Avenue
Use the left lane.
52
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 278 Toll East: Goethals Bridge
53
Merge onto I 278
1.3 mi·2 min·Goethals Bridge
54
Continue on I 278
2.2 mi·3 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278
0.9 mi·1 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
56
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 11Toward I 278 West: Bradley AvenueUse the slight right lane.
57
Turn straight onto South Gannon Avenue
198 ft·8 sec·South Gannon Avenue
58
Turn right onto Bradley Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Bradley Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
59
Turn slight right onto Brielle Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Brielle Avenue
60
Turn left onto Rockland Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Rockland Avenue
61
Continue on Richmond Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Richmond Road
62
Turn left onto Kensico Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Kensico Street
63
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
284 ft·13 sec·Clarke Avenue
64
Turn right onto Cotter Avenue
0.3 mi·54 sec·Cotter Avenue
65
Continue on Corona Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·Corona Avenue
66
Turn right onto Croft Court
147 ft·6 sec·Croft Court
67
Arrive at destination
Croft Court
Trip Plan
Since this trip is about 8 hours of driving, it's best split over 2 days. Leaving Wanakah, NY in the morning will give you ample time to reach your first overnight stop. Plan for 2 stops along the way to break up the 373.4 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you pass through more rural sections of Pennsylvania, as services can be more spread out on the Keystone Shortway. The $61 fuel cost estimate is based on current averages.
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 186.7 miles from Wanakah, NY, or about 4h 6m 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 82 miles or 2h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186.7 miles or 4h 6m 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 186.7 miles or 4h 6m
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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Staten Island, 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 187 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Staten Island, NY
Aim for roughly 187 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 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 38
5 decision points cluster between mile 199.3 and 358.7 — 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...
8
327.9 mi into trip|~6h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake Hopatcong
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 28
Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake Hopatcong
8
358.6 mi into trip|~7h 35m in
Take the exit toward Hillside, Irvington
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 54
Toward Hillside, Irvington
8
358.7 mi into trip|~7h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hillside
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Hillside
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.41 one way
$120.81 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg131 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$65.55
$131.10
premium
$4.85
$71.27
$142.54
diesel
$4.80
$70.50
$141.01
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Goethals Bridge
$16.00
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
$60
Tolls
$16
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$206–$316
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112
1
$39.21
$17.92
Efficient EV
93.4
1
$32.67
$14.94
EV Truck/SUV
149.4
1
$52.28
$23.90
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (66% 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
8:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Smoke
E 2 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Staten Island, NY
Evening
in Staten Island on Monday
Local time
8:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Smoke
NW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
187 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
9 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 8m 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.
Statue Of Liberty National Monument
National Monument
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 360.5
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 360.5
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 360.5
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 360.5
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 360.5
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 373.4
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 67% of the 373.4 miles on major interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 104.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway before transitioning to other main roads. Expect a good amount of rural cruising with fewer exits compared to urban areas for significant portions of the drive.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
67 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 I 81. 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 38 significant decision points across 373.4 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 327.9 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
1,883 ft72 ft
Total Climb
3,108 ft
Total Descent
3,627 ft
Highest Point
1,883 ft
~266.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,811 ft
Notable High Points
1,511 ft at ~26.7 miles+643 ft prominence
1,883 ft at ~266.7 miles+805 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 Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Lake Hopatcong, Morristown Airport, New York City and Newark.
Staten Island is New York City's "Forgotten Borough" across New York Harbor from Manhattan. Staten Island may seem like it's in an entirely different world than the hustle and bustle expected in New York City. However, it still has some of the features you've come to expect from the city. This combination of city influences and its rural origins have created a unique borough that is a great place to visit.
Top landmarks
•Bayonne Bridge — arch bridge connecting Staten Island, NY with Bayonne, NJ
•Staten Island Museum — museum in Staten Island, 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 187 miles on day one.
Expect about $16.00 in tolls one way, starting with Goethals 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 31 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 Staten Island, 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 31 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 327.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Statue Of Liberty National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Governors Island National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.1 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 Staten Island, NY before the return drive.
