Traveling from Zena to Staten Island covers 118.9 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 38 minutes. This journey is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it doesn't require an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $19 for fuel to complete the trek. The route transitions from the quiet landscapes of the Northeast to the urban environment of Staten Island. Because this is a mixed drive, you can expect a balance of different road types that keeps the trip engaging. It is a straightforward excursion that connects upstate New York to the city, making it an efficient choice for your travel plans.
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
59.5 miles from Zena, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m 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
New Jersey Turnpike Newark Bay Extension
4.7 mi
5m
NJ 440
4.5 mi
6m
NJ 3
4.2 mi
4m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
Zena Road
1.9 mi
4m
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 Staten Island, 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 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse 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 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse 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 TunnelUse the left lane.
15
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
16
Continue on NJ 139
0.3 mi·27 sec·12th Street Viaduct
17
Take the exit
236 ft·9 sec
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto Jersey Avenue
463 ft·23 sec·Jersey Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto I 78; NJ 139
408 ft·5 sec·14th Street Viaduct
Use the left lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 78; NJTP
4.7 mi·5 min·New Jersey Turnpike Newark Bay Extension
Toward NJTP: New Jersey TurnpikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 14AToward NJ 440: BayonneUse the right lane.
22
Continue on Port Jersey Boulevard
0.3 mi·17 sec·Port Jersey Boulevard
Toward NJ 440
23
Take the exit
357 ft·8 sec
Toward NJ 440 South: Chosin Few WayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 440 SouthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto NJ 440
4.5 mi·6 min·NJ 440
26
Continue on NY 440
1.4 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway
27
Take the exit
0.6 mi·55 sec
Exit 10EToward I 278 East: Verrazano Bridge, Brooklyn
28
Merge onto I 278
0.8 mi·1 min·Staten Island Expressway
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 11Toward I 278 West: Bradley AvenueUse the slight right lane.
30
Turn straight onto South Gannon Avenue
198 ft·8 sec·South Gannon Avenue
31
Turn right onto Bradley Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Bradley Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn slight right onto Brielle Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Brielle Avenue
33
Turn left onto Rockland Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Rockland Avenue
34
Continue on Richmond Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Richmond Road
35
Turn left onto Kensico Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Kensico Street
36
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
284 ft·13 sec·Clarke Avenue
37
Turn right onto Cotter Avenue
0.3 mi·54 sec·Cotter Avenue
38
Continue on Corona Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·Corona Avenue
39
Turn right onto Croft Court
147 ft·6 sec·Croft Court
40
Arrive at destination
Croft Court
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around potential traffic patterns. You will only need one stop along the way to break up the 2-hour and 38-minute duration, making it easy to manage your fatigue. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when entering the more congested segments of the route, as you want to ensure your $19 estimate covers your needs without stress. Because the trip is relatively short, try to time your transit to avoid peak rush hour in the metropolitan areas. A helpful tip is to account for the transition between the Thruway and the state routes, as road speeds change frequently throughout the journey.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59.5 miles from Zena, NY, or about 1h 14m 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 26 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.5 miles or 1h 14m 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 1m
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 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 118.9 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Zena, 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 60.6 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 1.9 and 101.2 — 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
7
101.2 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|I 78; NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct
Turn left onto I 78; NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.57 one way
$39.14 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$21.16
$42.33
premium
$4.92
$23.05
$46.09
diesel
$5.61
$26.25
$52.50
Estimated Tolls: $3.68
New York State Thruway
(60.6 mi)$3.03
New Jersey Turnpike
(4.7 mi)$0.65
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
$20
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.6 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
35.7
0
$12.48
$5.71
Efficient EV
29.7
0
$10.40
$4.76
EV Truck/SUV
47.6
0
$16.65
$7.61
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 15, 2026
Origin
Zena, NY
Morning
in Zena on Sunday
Local time
7:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Staten Island, NY
Morning
in Staten Island on Sunday
Local time
7:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Ramapo, NY
59 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
14 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 38m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied driving experience as you navigate this route, which is comprised of about 38% highway driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the New York State Thruway, which features your longest uninterrupted stretch of 60.6 miles. Beyond the Thruway, the path incorporates NJ 17 and State Route 28 to help you reach your destination. This mix of high-speed transit and local state routes creates a dynamic feel behind the wheel. Prepare for the road to shift from open highway segments to more technical stretches as you transition through the Northeast corridor.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 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 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 118.9 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
573 ft7 ft
Total Climb
663 ft
Total Descent
961 ft
Highest Point
573 ft
~51 mi in
Elevation Range
566 ft
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 Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway, Hoboken and Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike.
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 2h 38m. Total distance: 118.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (38%). 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 $3.68 in tolls one way, starting with New York State Thruway. 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 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 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 Staten Island, NY before heading back.
