How far is Manhattan, NY from Nelson, NY?

The driving distance from Manhattan, NY to Nelson, NY is about 235.9 miles (379.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 174.4 miles (280.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
235.97 mi
05h 06m
Flight
174.41 mi
280.68 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Manhattan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
174.41 mi
Kilometers
280.68 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
235.97 mi
Kilometers
379.75 km
Drive Time
05h 06m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 05h 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Nelson
Sat, Apr 18, 1:15 PM EDT
Return by in Manhattan
Sat, Apr 18, 6:21 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Manhattan
2026-04-18T08:09
Arrive Nelson
Sat, Apr 18, 1:15 PM EDT
Route Timing
05h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:06 AM to 1:06 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:48 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Manhattan
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Rockland
NY

Town in Sullivan County, New York, United States

From Manhattan
117.9 mi
02h 33m
To Nelson
118.1 mi
02h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph E
Destination
72°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Manhattan and Nelson.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Manhattan and Nelson.

  1. 1

    Start on 86th Street Transverse

    1062 ft · 38 sec · 86th Street Transverse

  2. 2

    Continue on West 86th Street

    1795 ft · 1 min · West 86th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Amsterdam Avenue

    2656 ft · 1 min · Amsterdam Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto West 96th Street

    1540 ft · 37 sec · West 96th Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway

    137 m · 12 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Henry Hudson Parkway

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Henry Hudson Parkway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95: George Washington Brigde

    1989 ft · 42 sec

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, New Jersey

    2834 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto George Washington Bridge (upper level)

    2310 ft · 44 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    2659 ft · 48 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    3214 ft · 39 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    559 ft · 9 sec

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

    1270 ft · 23 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on NJ 4 West: Paramus

    970 ft · 24 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight right

    6.7 mi · 9 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit straight toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, Mahwah

    951 ft · 26 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on NJ 17 North: Mahwah

    1302 ft · 37 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    3.3 mi · 4 min

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    7.3 mi · 10 min

  20. 20

    Continue straight

    1.2 km · 50 sec

  21. 21

    Continue straight

    3.3 mi · 4 min

  22. 22

    Continue straight

    877 ft · 11 sec

  23. 23

    Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany

    14.3 mi · 16 min

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman

    1.5 mi · 3 min

  25. 25

    Continue straight

    46 m · 4 sec

  26. 26

    Keep slight left to continue on NY 17 West: Binghamton

    2294 ft · 30 sec

  27. 27

    Continue straight

    105.2 mi · 2 hr 11 min

  28. 28

    Take the exit slight right toward NY 8, NY 10: Deposit, Walton

    1978 ft · 1 min

  29. 29

    Turn right onto State Highway 10

    1126 ft · 14 sec · State Highway 10

  30. 30

    Continue on Oak Street

    1409 ft · 18 sec · Oak Street

  31. 31

    Turn straight onto State Highway 8

    19 mi · 22 min · State Highway 8

  32. 32

    Continue on Airport Road

    2256 ft · 29 sec · Airport Road

  33. 33

    Continue on State Highway 8

    17.8 mi · 20 min · State Highway 8

  34. 34

    Turn left onto West Street

    8.3 mi · 10 min · West Street

  35. 35

    Turn right onto North Broad Street

    2925 ft · 1 min · North Broad Street

  36. 36

    Continue on State Highway 12

    10.2 mi · 15 min · State Highway 12

  37. 37

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  38. 38

    Continue on State Highway 12B

    3.7 mi · 6 min · State Highway 12B

  39. 39

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  40. 40

    Continue on State Route 12B

    4.6 mi · 7 min · State Route 12B

  41. 41

    Continue on Broad Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Broad Street

  42. 42

    Continue on Utica Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Utica Street

  43. 43

    Continue on State Route 12B

    2 mi · 3 min · State Route 12B

  44. 44

    Continue on State Route 46

    1.4 mi · 2 min · State Route 46

  45. 45

    Turn left

    1149 ft · 22 sec

  46. 46

    Turn straight

    10.6 mi · 16 min

  47. 47

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · US 20

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Manhattan and Nelson.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
47 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
4 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
NY 17 West
106 mi · 45%
State Highway 8
36.8 mi · 16%
NJ 17 North
15.1 mi · 6%
I 87 North
14.3 mi · 6%
State Highway 12
10.2 mi · 4%
West Street
8.34 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

NY 17 West

Continue straight

105 mi · 02h 11m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 06m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+61.5 mi
174.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rockland
02h 33m from Manhattan
Leave By
6:48 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Manhattan and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Nelson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Manhattan to Nelson?

The road trip is about 235.9 miles (379.7 km) and usually takes 05h 06m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Rockland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.9 miles from Manhattan and 118.1 miles from Nelson.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 174.4 miles (280.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 61.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:48 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.39 one way or $66.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Manhattan and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Nelson.

Stop Ideas Near Rockland

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Rockland, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rockland.

RAIL

Rhinecliff–Kingston station

80 mi away
Hutton and Charles Sts.
RAIL

Poughkeepsie station

85 mi away
41 Main St.
BUS

Scranton, PA

87 mi away
23 Lackawanna Avenue
RAIL

Hudson

98 mi away
69 South Front St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Manhattan and Nelson. Straight-line distance: 174.41 mi (280.68 km).

Manhattan

#1 Manhattan

The most densely populated borough of New York City.

Population1,644,518
Coordinates40.7834300, -73.9662500
Altitude35
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Nelson

Town in Madison County, New York, United States of America

Population1,940
Coordinates42.9172900, -75.7768500
Altitude438
CountryUnited States
Start: Manhattan (-73.96625, 40.78343)
End: Nelson (-75.77685, 42.91729)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 380 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.33 gal
31.52 L · about $33.39
Round trip
$66.79
16.66 gal · 63.04 L
Estimated CO2
74 kg one way
Round trip: 148.1 kg / 327 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.01 $33.39 $66.79
Mid-grade $4.48 $37.33 $74.65
Premium $4.86 $40.49 $80.98
Diesel $4.69 $39.10 $78.20

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in New York · Apr 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Manhattan and Nelson. The current time is 08:09:21.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.