How far is Nelson, NY from Manhattan, NY?
The driving distance from Nelson, NY to Manhattan, NY is about 229.5 miles (369.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 174.4 miles (280.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 17m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Sullivan County, New York, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Nelson and Manhattan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nelson and Manhattan.
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1
Start on US 20
10.8 mi · 16 min · US 20
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2
Continue on State Route 46
1.4 mi · 2 min · State Route 46
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3
Continue on State Route 12B
2 mi · 3 min · State Route 12B
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4
Continue on Utica Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Utica Street
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5
Turn slight right onto Broad Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Broad Street
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6
Continue on State Route 12B
4.6 mi · 7 min · State Route 12B
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7
Continue on North Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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8
Continue on State Highway 12B
3.7 mi · 6 min · State Highway 12B
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9
Continue on North Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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10
Continue on State Highway 12
10.2 mi · 15 min · State Highway 12
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11
Continue on North Broad Street
2925 ft · 2 min · North Broad Street
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12
Turn left onto Rexford Street
8.3 mi · 10 min · Rexford Street
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13
Turn right onto State Highway 8
17.8 mi · 20 min · State Highway 8
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14
Continue on Airport Road
2268 ft · 29 sec · Airport Road
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15
Continue on State Highway 8
19 mi · 22 min · State Highway 8
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16
Continue on Oak Street
1409 ft · 18 sec · Oak Street
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17
Continue on State Highway 10
2251 ft · 44 sec · State Highway 10
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18
Take the exit left toward NY 17 East
1287 ft · 27 sec
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19
Merge slight left
105.1 mi · 2 hr 11 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
1.1 km · 60 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on I 87 Toll South: New York City
1.5 km · 2 min
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22
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
13.7 mi · 16 min · New York State Thruway
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23
Keep slight right to continue on I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
1.5 km · 60 sec
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24
Continue straight
2496 ft · 39 sec
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25
Keep slight left to continue on NJ 17 South: Mahwah
14.1 mi · 19 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
566 ft · 19 sec
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27
Keep slight left to continue on NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
2455 ft · 1 min
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28
Merge slight left
1417 ft · 24 sec
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29
Continue straight
6.4 mi · 9 min
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30
Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
1124 ft · 18 sec
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31
Merge slight left
1.2 km · 55 sec
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32
Keep slight left
1.3 km · 1 min
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33
Continue on George Washington Bridge (upper level)
2392 ft · 45 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
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34
Take the exit slight right toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street
571 ft · 14 sec
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35
Keep slight right to continue on NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway
1740 ft · 42 sec
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36
Keep slight left to continue on NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown
1911 ft · 47 sec
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37
Merge slight left onto Henry Hudson Parkway
4.2 mi · 6 min · Henry Hudson Parkway
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38
Take the exit slight right 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 Technology
995 ft · 25 sec
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39
Continue on West 79th Street
1273 ft · 52 sec · West 79th Street
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40
Turn left onto Broadway
1957 ft · 57 sec · Broadway
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41
Turn right onto West 86th Street
2245 ft · 1 min · West 86th Street
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42
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
1066 ft · 36 sec · 86th Street Transverse
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43
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 86th Street Transverse
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nelson and Manhattan.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
NY 17 East
Merge slight left
105 mi · 02h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Nelson and Partly Sunny near Manhattan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Nelson to Manhattan?
The road trip is about 229.5 miles (369.3 km) and usually takes 04h 17m 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 118.2 miles from Nelson and 111.3 miles from Manhattan.
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 55.1 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 8:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.47 one way or $64.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around Nelson and Partly Sunny near Manhattan.
Stop Ideas Near Rockland
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rockland.
Rhinecliff–Kingston station
Poughkeepsie station
Scranton, PA
Hudson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Nelson and Manhattan. Straight-line distance: 174.41 mi (280.68 km).
#1 Nelson
Town in Madison County, New York, United States of America
| Population | 1,940 |
| Coordinates | 42.9172900, -75.7768500 |
| Altitude | 438 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Manhattan
The most densely populated borough of New York City.
| Population | 1,644,518 |
| Coordinates | 40.7834300, -73.9662500 |
| Altitude | 35 |
| Country | United States |
End: 86th Street Transverse Road (-73.965969, 40.783967)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 369 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $32.47 | $64.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $36.30 | $72.59 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $39.37 | $78.75 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $38.02 | $76.04 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.