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Trip from Wheeler, NY to East Flatbush, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 29, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 58m

Distance

285.7 mi

460 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 46m ★
6 AM
5h 59m
8 AM
6h 25m
10 AM
6h 8m
12 PM
6h 5m
3 PM
6h 9m
5 PM
6h 24m
8 PM
5h 51m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

town in New York, United States

Wheeler, NY

Wikimedia Commons

neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City, USA

East Flatbush, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Wheeler, NY to East Flatbush, NY is 285.7 miles and takes about 5h 58m via Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and I-81, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, crossing from New York to New York. Given its mostly highway profile and a single recommended stop, it's a straightforward drive that can be completed comfortably in one day. Plan for a steady pace, as the route is designed for efficient travel between these two points.

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

142.9 miles from Wheeler, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Southern Tier Expressway 103 mi 2h
Keystone Shortway 63.3 mi 1h 19m
I 81 53.4 mi 1h 3m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
Essex Freeway 15.8 mi 20m
NY 53 4.2 mi 6m
I 84 3.7 mi 4m
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Southern Tier Expressway — 103 mi, about 2h

Traffic on I-80

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 98 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

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Wheeler, NY and East Flatbush, NY.

1

Start on Fritz Hill Road

47 ft · 7 sec · Fritz Hill Road
2

Turn right onto NY 53

4.2 mi · 6 min · NY 53
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec
4

Merge onto I 86

103 mi · 2 hr · Southern Tier Expressway
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 6
Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 84; I 380

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford Use the straight lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
9

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
10

Merge onto I 80

63 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 49 sec
Exit 47A Toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
12

Continue on I 280

16 mi · 20 min · Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 17A Toward CR 508 East: Jersey City
14

Merge onto CR 508

2.0 mi · 3 min · Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on NJ 7

0.5 mi · 43 sec · New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel Use the slight right lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18

Turn straight

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Use the straight lane.
19

Merge onto NJ 139

0.7 mi · 1 min · Conrail Viaduct
20

Continue on NJ 139

0.4 mi · 32 sec · 12th Street Viaduct
21

Continue on I 78

0.3 mi · 54 sec · 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork onto I 78

1.9 mi · 4 min · Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
23

Take the exit

428 ft · 14 sec
Toward NY 9A
24

Turn slight left onto Laight Street

0.2 mi · 48 sec · Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
25

At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A

0.9 mi · 2 min · West Street
Use the straight lane.
26

Take the exit

2.6 mi · 5 min
Exit 2 Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn Use the left lane.
27

Continue on I 278

0.6 mi · 50 sec · Gowanus Expressway
28

Take the exit onto NY 27

1.5 mi · 2 min · NY 27
Exit 24 Toward NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway Use the slight left / straight lanes.
29

Take the exit onto NY 27

0.4 mi · 47 sec · NY 27
Exit 5 Toward NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical Center Use the slight right lane.
30

Turn left onto NY 27

1.2 mi · 2 min · Caton Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
31

Continue on NY 27

1.4 mi · 3 min · Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
32

Arrive at destination

NY 27

Trip Plan

For this single-day trip, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach East Flatbush without feeling rushed. With a duration of under 6 hours, you can easily manage with just one planned stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 103-mile stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway, to ensure you have enough to reach the next service area. The estimated fuel cost of $46 is a good baseline for budgeting your expenses on this drive.

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 142.9 miles from Wheeler, NY, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103 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 63 miles or 1h 15m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 142.9 miles or 2h 49m 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 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Flatbush, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Wheeler, 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 Wheeler, NY

This is one driving day of about 285.7 miles and 5h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Wheeler, 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 103 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown City of Scranton, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

City of Scranton, PA

143 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Spencer, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waverly, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 142.9 miles from Wheeler, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 107.5 and 278.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
107.5 mi into trip | ~2h 7m 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
160.9 mi into trip | ~3h 11m 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
272.9 mi into trip | ~5h 30m 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
273.2 mi into trip | ~5h 31m 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
278.2 mi into trip | ~5h 43m 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

$47.56 one way

$95.11 round trip

$4.23/gal 25.4 MPG avg 100 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.55 $51.19 $102.38
premium $4.99 $56.09 $112.19
diesel $5.35 $60.19 $120.38

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

$48

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$89–$114

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 100 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-27.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 85.7 1 $30.00 $13.71
Efficient EV 71.4 0 $25.00 $11.43
EV Truck/SUV 114.3 1 $40.00 $18.28

Gas CO2

100 kg

EV CO2

33 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 Apr 28, 2026

Origin

Wheeler, NY

Late night in Wheeler on Wednesday

Local time

2:57 AM

EDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

East Flatbush, NY

Late night in East Flatbush on Wednesday

Local time

2:57 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 58m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

You'll spend about 73% of your drive on highways, covering a substantial distance efficiently. The longest continuous stretch on highway is 103 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway. Expect a significant portion of your travel to be on major interstates before transitioning to more local roads as you approach East Flatbush. The high highway percentage suggests frequent exit and entrance ramps as you navigate through different sections of the route.

73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103 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 107.5 miles in near I 81.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 24 significant decision points across 285.7 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 107.5 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 160.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.9 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 Wheeler, NY and East Flatbush, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Newark and Cr 508 East: Jersey City.

Mt Pocono

160.9 mi in | ~3h 11m | via US 6

Milford

161.6 mi in | ~3h 12m | via I 84; I 380

Newark

253.3 mi in | ~5h 3m

Cr 508 East: Jersey City

269.8 mi in | ~5h 24m

About the Cities

Starting in Wheeler, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1820

Arriving in East Flatbush, NY

Full guide →

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 58m. Total distance: 285.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 103 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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.

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 East Flatbush, 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 107.5 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 160.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at East Flatbush, NY before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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