Origin
Zena, NY
Morning in Zena on Tuesday
Local time
9:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Zena, NY to Brooklyn, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 29m
Distance
111.1 mi
179 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 19m
★
6 AM
2h 29m
8 AM
2h 49m
10 AM
2h 36m
12 PM
2h 34m
3 PM
2h 37m
5 PM
2h 48m
8 PM
2h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Zena, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Brooklyn, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Zena, NY to Brooklyn, NY is 111.1 miles and takes about 2h 29m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive begins in New York's Northeast region and ends in the same region, heading south towards the metropolitan area. Expect a mixed driving experience with a significant portion on highways, transitioning to surface roads as you approach your destination. It's a straightforward trip if you're looking for a direct route between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.5 miles from Zena, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 60.6 mi | 1h 9m |
| NJ 17 | 22.7 mi | 29m |
| State Route 28 | 5 mi | 8m |
| NJ 3 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Tonnelle Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Zena Road | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| Holland Tunnel | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| NY 27 | 1.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 60.6 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Zena, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
1
Start on CR 39
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Zena Road
2
Turn sharp left onto NY 28
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
State Route 28
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Enter roundabout
340 ft
·
4 sec
Toward I 87: New York State Thruway
4
Continue
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 87: New York State Thruway
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 87: New York State Thruway
6
Merge onto I 87
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
·
NY 17
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
9
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
23 mi
·
29 min
·
NJ 17
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
11
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Use the left lane.
15
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Conrail Viaduct
16
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
12th Street Viaduct
17
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
19
Take the exit
428 ft
·
14 sec
Toward NY 9A
20
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
21
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
2.6 mi
·
5 min
Exit 2
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
Gowanus Expressway
24
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.
25
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.
26
Turn left onto NY 27
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Caton Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on NY 27
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Nostrand Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
Nostrand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day trip of under 2.5 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning can help you avoid the worst of early commuter traffic. Plan to take one break about halfway through, perhaps before you exit the New York State Thruway around the 60-mile mark. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $18 estimated cost suggests a relatively efficient trip, but it's always wise to top off before entering more congested areas.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55.5 miles from Zena, NY, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.6 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 24 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.5 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 53m
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 Zena, 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 Zena, NY
This is one driving day of about 111.1 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Zena, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 60.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55.5 miles from Zena, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.6 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 215 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 104.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
NY 28 / State Route 28
Turn sharp left onto NY 28 / State Route 28
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
68.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m 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
69.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m 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
99.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m 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
104.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m 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
$18.29 one way
$36.58 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $19.77 | $39.55 |
| premium | $4.92 | $21.53 | $43.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.53 | $49.06 |
Estimated Tolls: $19.03
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(60.6 mi)
$3.03
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
$18
Tolls
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.67 | $5.33 |
| Efficient EV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.72 | $4.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.4 | 0 | $15.55 | $7.11 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
Brooklyn, NY
Morning in Brooklyn on Tuesday
Local time
9:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Ramapo, NY
56 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
19 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
2h 29m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route features 32% highway driving, with the longest stretch covering 60.6 miles on the New York State Thruway. You'll experience a shift from limited-access highway to surface roads, likely noticing denser traffic and more frequent intersections as you get closer to Brooklyn. The transition between these road types is a key feature of this drive.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.6 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near NY 28 / State Route 28.
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 21 significant decision points across 111.1 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 1.9 miles (NY 28 / State Route 28): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.9 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Zena, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway, Hoboken and Manhattan.
Jersey City
99.6 mi in
|
~2h 4m
|
via US 1; US 9
Pulaski Skyway
99.6 mi in
|
~2h 4m
|
via US 1; US 9
Hoboken
99.7 mi in
|
~2h 4m
Manhattan
101.4 mi in
|
~2h 7m
|
via I 78
About the Cities
Starting in Zena, NY
Full guide →Arriving in Brooklyn, NY
Full guide →Founded 1634
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
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 2h 29m. Total distance: 111.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (32%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.6 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $19.03 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (NY 28 / State Route 28): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.9 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Brooklyn, NY before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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