Traveling from Williamson to Manhattan covers 316.5 miles and takes approximately 5 hours and 19 minutes of driving time. Because this route relies entirely on local roads rather than interstates, it functions best as a focused, one-day commitment. You should budget roughly $50 for fuel to complete the journey across the Northeast. While it is technically possible to finish this in a single day, the turn-heavy nature of the drive makes it a significant undertaking. This trip offers a departure from typical highway travel, trading speed for a more intimate look at the New York landscape.
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
158 miles from Williamson, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
128.7 mi
2h 32m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
NY 104
22 mi
30m
I 690
8.7 mi
10m
State Highway 370
7.9 mi
10m
NY 31
5.9 mi
7m
West Genesee Road
5.7 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 128.7 mi, about 2h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Williamson, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on CR 103
7 ft·4 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto NY 21
0.6 mi·58 sec·Lake Avenue
3
Turn right onto NY 104
22 mi·30 min·NY 104
4
Turn right onto CR 163
2.2 mi·2 min·Ridge Road
5
Turn slight right onto NY 370
2.1 mi·2 min·State Route 370
6
Continue on NY 370
7.9 mi·10 min·State Highway 370
7
Continue on NY 370
3.6 mi·7 min·West Main Street
8
Continue on NY 370
1.7 mi·2 min·State Route 370
9
Continue on NY 370
0.7 mi·53 sec·Main Street
10
Continue on NY 370
5.7 mi·8 min·West Genesee Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Take the exit onto NY 31
5.9 mi·7 min·NY 31
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on I 690
8.7 mi·10 min·I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 81 South: BinghamtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 81
2.8 mi·4 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I-81
0.8 mi·48 sec·I-81
16
Continue on I 81
73 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
18
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.
19
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.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
21
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
22
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
28
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
30
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
31
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
33
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
35
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi·45 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
36
Take the exit onto US 9
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 9
Exit 1AToward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, DowntownUse the straight lane.
39
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
4.2 mi·6 min·Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Boat Basin, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Children's Museum Of Manhattan, JCC in Manhattan, Lincoln Center, New York Historical Society, New York Institute of TechnologyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on West 79th Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·West 79th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
42
Turn left onto Broadway
0.4 mi·56 sec·Broadway
43
Turn right onto West 86th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West 86th Street
44
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.2 mi·35 sec·86th Street Transverse
Toward East SideUse the straight / left lanes.
45
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
Plan for a full day on the road, as the lack of high-speed highways means your pace will be dictated by local traffic and navigation. Since you have a 5-hour and 19-minute drive ahead, scheduling at least one stop is essential to keep you refreshed behind the wheel. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, check your GPS frequently to ensure you stay on track with the specific sequence of Lake Avenue, Ridge Road, and State Route 370. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours, especially since the local roads can become more challenging to navigate after dark. Keep your $50 fuel budget handy and fill up before you hit the more congested stretches near your destination.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 158 miles from Williamson, NY, or about 3h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.7 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 69 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158 miles or 3h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manhattan, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Williamson, 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 Williamson, NY
This is one driving day of about 315.9 miles and 6h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Williamson, 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 I 81 for about 128.7 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 190.7 and 309.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
190.7 mi into trip|~3h 59m 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
305.3 mi into trip|~6h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
305.6 mi into trip|~6h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
309.4 mi into trip|~6h 22m in|US 9
Take the exit onto US 9 toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street
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 1A
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th...
8
309.9 mi into trip|~6h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downt...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.00 one way
$104.00 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$56.23
$112.46
premium
$4.92
$61.23
$122.45
diesel
$5.61
$69.75
$139.49
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
George Washington 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
$52
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.8
1
$33.17
$15.16
Efficient EV
79
0
$27.64
$12.64
EV Truck/SUV
126.4
1
$44.23
$20.22
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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 17, 2026
Origin
Williamson, NY
Late night
in Williamson on Sunday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Chance Rain Showers
W 6 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 11:15PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 8:18PM EDT until April 17 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Late night
in Manhattan on Sunday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
SW 7 to 10 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 11:15PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 8:18PM EDT until April 17 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
18 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
6h 34m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than the usual interstate grind, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate a turn-heavy local drive characterized by segments on Lake Avenue, Ridge Road, and State Route 370. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches—the longest being 0 miles on Lake Avenue—you will need to stay alert and ready for frequent navigational changes. The road’s personality is defined by constant transitions rather than monotonous straightaways. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience where your focus remains firmly on the local roads winding toward the city.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.7 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 190.7 miles in near US 6.
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 29 significant decision points across 315.9 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 190.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 305.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 305.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Williamson, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.
Williamson is a rural community in the Finger Lakes Apple Country region of New York State.
The town is located in Wayne County, NY and named after the land agent of the Pulteney Purchase, Charles Williamson.
The hamlet of Pultneyville is on Lake Ontario, in the northern portion of the town, and the hamlet of East Williamson is in the eastern part. It is bordered by Ontario to the west, Sodus to the east, and Marion to the south.
Wall Street. Madison Avenue. 34th Street. Broadway. Times Square. Manhattan is so well known that even the names of its streets have become iconic and understood the world over. This long, thin island is only one of New York City's five boroughs, but it's Manhattan that has the concrete canyons and the inimitable skyline; Manhattan that has the world's brightest theater district; Manhattan that has Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and the Met; and Manhattan that includes iconic neighborhoods like Harlem, the Upper East Side, Times Square, and Greenwich Village.
The rest of New York City has much to see and do, but it's Manhattan that represents the city—and sometimes the entire United States—to the world. You could spend a month on this tiny island and still not see all there is to see.
Top landmarks
•Empire State Building — skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 34m. Total distance: 315.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 34m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.7 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.00 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.
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 Manhattan, 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 190.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 305.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 305.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Manhattan, NY before the return drive.
