Traveling from Watervliet to Brooklyn covers 168.4 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 8 minutes. Because this is a relatively short distance, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $27 on fuel for the journey. The route primarily utilizes local thoroughfares like 2nd Avenue and 23rd Street alongside I-787 South, shifting you from the Northeast capital region down into the dense urban environment of New York City. Since the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a drive that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed interstate travel.
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
81.7 miles from Watervliet, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
111.2 mi
2h 8m
NJ 17
22.7 mi
29m
I 787
8.5 mi
12m
NJ 3
4.2 mi
4m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
Holland Tunnel
1.9 mi
4m
NY 27
1.8 mi
3m
Caton Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 111.2 mi, about 2h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watervliet, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
1
Start on NY 2
67 ft·4 sec·19th Street
2
Turn right onto NY 32
0.2 mi·31 sec·2nd Avenue
3
Turn right onto 23rd Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·23rd Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 787 South
5
Merge onto I 787
7.8 mi·10 min·I 787
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 787
0.6 mi·1 min·I 787
Exit 1Toward I 87 Toll: New York State Thruway
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1
8
Merge onto I 87
111 mi·2 hr 8 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
11
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
23 mi·29 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
13
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
0.1 mi·9 sec·Tonnelle Avenue
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the left lane.
17
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
18
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
19
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
21
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
22
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
23
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
25
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
26
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.
27
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.
28
Turn left onto NY 27
1.2 mi·2 min·Caton Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on NY 27
0.4 mi·31 sec·Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
30
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Nostrand Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
Nostrand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 8-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around potential congestion. I recommend scheduling at least one stop to break up the drive, especially since the turn-heavy nature of the roads can be more taxing than standard highway cruising. Keep your $27 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops, as local road driving can sometimes affect your fuel efficiency differently than steady highway speeds. Since you are navigating local streets like 2nd Avenue and 23rd Street, pay close attention to your GPS navigation, as the constant turns make it easy to miss an exit or a cross-street. Enjoy the ability to arrive in Brooklyn comfortably in a single day without the pressure of a long-haul itinerary.
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 81.7 miles from Watervliet, NY, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.2 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 36 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.7 miles or 1h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 39m
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 Watervliet, 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 Watervliet, NY
This is one driving day of about 163.3 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Watervliet, 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 New York State Thruway for about 111.2 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 120.7 and 159.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
120.7 mi into trip|~2h 22m 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
122.1 mi into trip|~2h 24m 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
152 mi into trip|~3h 2m in
Take the exit toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
8
156.7 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
7
159.8 mi into trip|~3h 19m in|NY 27
Take the exit onto NY 27 toward NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 24
Toward NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.88 one way
$53.76 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$29.07
$58.13
premium
$4.92
$31.65
$63.30
diesel
$5.61
$36.05
$72.11
Estimated Tolls: $21.56
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(111.2 mi)$5.56
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
$27
Tolls
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49
0
$17.15
$7.84
Efficient EV
40.8
0
$14.29
$6.53
EV Truck/SUV
65.3
0
$22.86
$10.45
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Watervliet, NY
Late night
in Watervliet on Sunday
Local time
3:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brooklyn, NY
Late night
in Brooklyn on Sunday
Local time
3:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Scattered Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
NE 3 to 8 mph33% chanceLive forecast
49°F
Ramapo, NY
82 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
8 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 26m 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.
Governors Island National Monument
National Monument
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 157.7
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 157.7
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...
1 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 157.7
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
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 157.7
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 157.7
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 157.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this 168.4-mile trip keeps you engaged with frequent maneuvers through various local roads. Because the highway share is 0%, you won't find long, uninterrupted stretches of open road; instead, the character of the drive is defined by the transitions between urban and regional connectors. Navigating these segments requires a steady pace, as the route relies on maneuvering through city-style streets rather than cruising at highway speeds. The experience is consistent in its technical nature, keeping you actively steering from start to finish.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.2 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 120.7 miles in near NY 17.
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 163.3 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 120.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.1 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
666 ft26 ft
Total Climb
994 ft
Total Descent
971 ft
Highest Point
666 ft
~81.7 mi in
Elevation Range
640 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Watervliet, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway, Hoboken and Manhattan.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 163.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.2 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $21.56 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 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 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 120.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.1 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Governors Island National Monument, African Burial Ground National Monument and Castle Clinton National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Brooklyn, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
