Washington Heights, NY to Busti, NY is 365.4 miles and takes about 7h 35m via Keystone Shortway and US 219, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, starting and ending in New York. Given its primarily surface road profile, expect a more scenic, less direct pace compared to an all-interstate route. It's a manageable one-day drive if you're looking for a direct path with a few stops.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
182.7 miles from Washington Heights, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
200 mi
3h 44m
Christopher Columbus Highway
68.2 mi
1h 20m
US 219
12.3 mi
18m
Market Street
11.9 mi
13m
Montmorenci Road
8.8 mi
13m
PA 948
8.6 mi
12m
State Park Road
7.5 mi
13m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
7.4 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 200 mi, about 3h 44m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 388 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,054 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,724
Quietest
1 AM
~358 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Washington Heights, NY and Busti, NY.
1
Start on US 9
0.1 mi·26 sec·Broadway
2
Turn right onto US 9
0.1 mi·20 sec·West 179th Street
3
Take the ramp onto US 9
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 9
Toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, New Jersey
4
Merge onto I 95; US 1; US 9
0.4 mi·43 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
5
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi·39 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 69Toward I 80 West: Paterson, HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 80
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
195 mi·3 hr 35 min·Keystone Shortway
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·32 sec
17
Turn straight onto PA 153
7.5 mi·13 min·State Park Road
18
Continue on PA 153
5.0 mi·8 min·Hoovertown Road
19
Continue on PA 153
3.7 mi·6 min·Penfield Road
20
At end of road, turn right onto US 219
12 mi·18 min·US 219
21
Turn right onto PA 948
1.0 mi·2 min·Montmorenci Avenue
22
Continue on PA 948
8.8 mi·13 min·Montmorenci Road
23
Continue on PA 948
5.4 mi·7 min·Highland Road
24
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66
2.7 mi·3 min·Kane-Russell City Road
25
Take the exit onto PA 948
8.6 mi·12 min·PA 948
26
Continue on PA 666
2.3 mi·4 min·PA 666
27
At end of road, turn left onto US 6
1.2 mi·2 min·West Main Street
28
Continue on US 6
4.5 mi·6 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
29
Continue on US 6
1.4 mi·2 min·South Main Street
30
Continue on US 6
2.9 mi·4 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
31
Continue on US 6
0.2 mi·35 sec·Main Street
32
Continue on US 6
1.8 mi·3 min·Crescent Park
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on Crescent Park
0.4 mi·1 min·Crescent Park
Use the right lane.
34
Turn right onto Hickory Bridge
0.1 mi·17 sec·Hickory Bridge
Use the right lane.
35
Continue on Hickory Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Hickory Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
36
Turn right onto US 62
0.2 mi·23 sec·West 4th Avenue
37
Turn left onto US 62
12 mi·13 min·Market Street
38
Turn left onto Kiantone Road
4.8 mi·6 min·Kiantone Road
39
Turn left onto Busti-Stillwater Road
3.8 mi·5 min·Busti-Stillwater Road
40
Arrive at destination
Busti-Stillwater Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Washington Heights to maximize daylight. With 2 planned stops, you can easily break up the 365.4 miles. The route's 7% highway share means you'll spend most of your time on surface roads, so factor in slightly slower speeds and more potential for local traffic. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before heading into longer stretches like the 200-mile segment on the Keystone Shortway. The estimated fuel cost is around $60.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 182.7 miles from Washington Heights, NY, or about 3h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 200 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 182.7 miles or 3h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Busti, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Washington Heights, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Washington Heights, NY
This is one driving day of about 365.4 miles and 7h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Washington Heights, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 200 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 1.4 and 73.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in|I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
2.2 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
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.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
2.4 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
4.8 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
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 69
Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
6
73.8 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|I 80 / Keystone Shortway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 / Keystone Shortway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.96 one way
$127.92 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$69.31
$138.62
premium
$5.23
$75.24
$150.48
diesel
$6.28
$90.29
$180.57
Estimated Tolls: $16.28
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New Jersey Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.28
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
$64
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$105–$130
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
109.6
1
$38.37
$17.54
Efficient EV
91.4
1
$31.97
$14.62
EV Truck/SUV
146.2
1
$51.16
$23.39
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 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 Oct 20, 2026
Origin
Washington Heights, NY
Afternoon
in Washington Heights on Saturday
Local time
2:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
N 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Busti, NY
Afternoon
in Busti on Saturday
Local time
2:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
NE 5 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
40°F
Chemung, NY
183 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.
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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 35m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 surface roads, with only 7% of the drive on highways. You'll encounter the longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway, covering about 200 miles. After that, expect to transition to more rural cruising on roads like Christopher Columbus Highway and US 219. Be prepared for frequent exits and potential traffic as you navigate through populated areas before reaching more open stretches.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 200 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR.
Driving Effort9/10
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 365.4 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 1.4 miles (I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,218 ft178 ft
Total Climb
4,309 ft
Total Descent
3,120 ft
Highest Point
2,218 ft
~287.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,040 ft
Notable High Points
1,019 ft at ~52.2 miles+574 ft prominence
1,869 ft at ~104.4 miles+802 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Washington Heights, NY to Busti, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Penfield along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 35m. Total distance: 365.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 35m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 200 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.28 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 33 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 Busti, 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 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Busti, NY before the return drive.
