Spanning 250.6 miles, this journey from Watkins Glen to Staten Island serves as a direct transition from the Finger Lakes region down to the New York City metropolitan area. You should anticipate roughly 4 hours and 37 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip for most travelers. Because the route relies on local roads like North Franklin Street, North Catherine Street, and Main Street rather than major expressways, you will want to factor in the lack of highway relief. Budgeting approximately $41 for fuel is a solid starting point for your planning. Since the entire trip takes place within New York State, you will experience a shift from rural Northeast surroundings to the dense urban environment of the city.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
127.7 miles from Watkins Glen, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Watkins Glen, NY and Staten Island, NY.
1
Start on NY 414
47 ft·8 sec·East Fourth Street
2
Turn left onto NY 14; NY 414
2.1 mi·4 min·North Franklin Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Continue on NY 14
6.0 mi·7 min·North Catherine Street
4
Continue on NY 14
1.5 mi·3 min·Main Street
5
Continue on NY 14
6.4 mi·8 min·Watkins Road
6
Continue on North Main Street
1.3 mi·2 min·North Main Street
7
Take the ramp onto NY 13
0.2 mi·28 sec·NY 13
8
Merge onto I 86; NY 17; NY 13
64 mi·1 hr 15 min·Southern Tier Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
10
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.
11
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.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
14
Merge onto I 80
46 mi·59 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 28Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake HopatcongUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on CR 631
0.2 mi·12 sec·Ledgewood Road
17
Continue on US 46
0.9 mi·1 min·US 46
18
Continue on US 46
213 ft·4 sec·US 46
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
19
Turn straight onto NJ 10
9.2 mi·11 min·Route 10 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on NJ 10
3.5 mi·4 min·NJ 10
Use the right lane.
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 287 South: Morristown, Morristown Airport
22
Merge onto I 287
0.8 mi·1 min·I 287
23
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 37Toward NJ 24 East: SpringfieldUse the slight right lane.
24
Continue on NJ 24
9.3 mi·10 min·NJ 24
Use the straight lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 78 East Local: NewarkUse the slight right lane.
27
Merge onto I 78
4.6 mi·5 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 54Toward Hillside, IrvingtonUse the slight right lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·29 sec
Toward HillsideUse the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on Winans Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·Winans Avenue
31
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
32
Turn left onto CR 628
0.3 mi·37 sec·Hillside Avenue
33
Continue on CR 628
0.4 mi·45 sec·Hillside Avenue
34
At end of road, turn right onto CR 623
2.1 mi·4 min·North Broad Street
35
Continue on CR 623
1.4 mi·3 min·Broad Street
36
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.3 mi·43 sec·Bayway
37
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.1 mi·11 sec·Brunswick Avenue
Use the left lane.
38
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 278 Toll East: Goethals Bridge
39
Merge onto I 278
1.3 mi·2 min·Goethals Bridge
40
Continue on I 278
2.2 mi·3 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278
0.9 mi·1 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 11Toward I 278 West: Bradley AvenueUse the slight right lane.
43
Turn straight onto South Gannon Avenue
198 ft·8 sec·South Gannon Avenue
44
Turn right onto Bradley Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Bradley Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
45
Turn slight right onto Brielle Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Brielle Avenue
46
Turn left onto Rockland Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Rockland Avenue
47
Continue on Richmond Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Richmond Road
48
Turn left onto Kensico Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Kensico Street
49
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
284 ft·13 sec·Clarke Avenue
50
Turn right onto Cotter Avenue
0.3 mi·54 sec·Cotter Avenue
51
Continue on Corona Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·Corona Avenue
52
Turn right onto Croft Court
147 ft·6 sec·Croft Court
53
Arrive at destination
Croft Court
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 37 minute duration, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day congestion on local roads. While the route is manageable in a single day, planning for at least one stop is essential to break up the technical nature of the drive. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $41 estimate may fluctuate depending on idling time in local traffic. Since you are relying on North Franklin Street and other surface arteries, stay alert for sudden changes in traffic patterns that could impact your arrival time. Your biggest advantage is the flexibility of a one-day trip, so keep your schedule loose to accommodate the winding, turn-heavy nature of the route.
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 127.7 miles from Watkins Glen, NY, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.8 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 56 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.7 miles or 2h 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 4h 17m
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 Watkins Glen, 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 Watkins Glen, NY
This is one driving day of about 255.3 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Watkins Glen, 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 63.8 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 34
5 decision points cluster between mile 81.3 and 240.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
81.3 mi into trip|~1h 42m 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
134.6 mi into trip|~2h 46m 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
209.9 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
240.5 mi into trip|~4h 56m 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
240.7 mi into trip|~4h 56m 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
$42.02 one way
$84.05 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$45.44
$90.88
premium
$4.92
$49.48
$98.96
diesel
$5.61
$56.37
$112.73
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
$42
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.6
0
$26.81
$12.25
Efficient EV
63.8
0
$22.34
$10.21
EV Truck/SUV
102.1
1
$35.74
$16.34
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Watkins Glen, NY
Morning
in Watkins Glen on Sunday
Local time
7:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Staten Island, NY
Morning
in Staten Island on Sunday
Local time
7:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
10 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
5h 29m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 246.5
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 246.5
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 246.5
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 246.5
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 246.5
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 255.3
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 requires your full attention throughout the 250.6-mile trek. Unlike a typical interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will navigate surface streets and local thoroughfares for the duration of the trip. Behind the wheel, you will find a road personality that demands constant engagement rather than the monotony of cruise control. The path winds through various communities, forcing you to adjust to changing speed limits and intersection traffic. Prepare for a slower, more deliberate pace as you transition away from the open roads of Watkins Glen toward the final destination in Staten Island.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
53 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.8 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 81.3 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 34 significant decision points across 255.3 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 81.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 134.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Watkins Glen, NY and Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Lake Hopatcong, Morristown Airport, New York City and Newark - among others.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 29m. Total distance: 255.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.8 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
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 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 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 81.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 134.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.9 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, Governors Island National Monument and Castle Clinton 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 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.
