How Much Would a Road Trip to New York Cost?

By Alice Nichols

Are you planning a road trip to New York? It’s important to budget for your expenses ahead of time so you don’t overspend and regret it later. In this article, we’ll breakdown the costs associated with a road trip to New York.

Transportation Costs

The biggest expense for any road trip is transportation. If you’re driving, you’ll need to factor in gas prices, tolls, and parking fees.

The cost of gas varies depending on where you’re coming from, but the national average is around $3 per gallon. Keep in mind that New York has some of the highest tolls in the country, so be prepared to spend up to $15 or more each way. Parking can be expensive in New York City, with rates averaging around $30 per day.

Food and Drink Expenses

Another significant expense on a road trip is food and drink. Plan on spending an average of $10-15 per meal per person if you eat out at restaurants. If you want to save money, consider packing your own meals and snacks or grabbing something from a grocery store instead.

Lodging Costs

If you plan on staying overnight in New York, lodging costs can add up quickly. The average cost of a hotel room in New York City is around $200-300 per night, but prices can vary depending on location and time of year. To save money, consider staying outside of Manhattan or booking an Airbnb or hostel.

Entertainment Expenses

New York has plenty of attractions that are worth seeing during your visit. However, many of them come with a price tag.

For example, tickets to the Empire State Building observation deck start at $38 per person. Other popular attractions like museums and Broadway shows can also be expensive.

Total Cost Breakdown

Based on the above costs, here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to spend on a road trip to New York:

  • Transportation: Gas – $100-200, Tolls – $30-60, Parking – $30-60
  • Food and Drink: $30-45 per day per person
  • Lodging: $200-300 per night
  • Entertainment: Varies depending on activities

Conclusion

As you can see, a road trip to New York can be quite expensive. However, there are ways to save money if you plan ahead and budget accordingly.

Consider packing your own meals and snacks, staying outside of Manhattan, and looking for discounts on attraction tickets. With proper planning, you can enjoy all that New York has to offer without breaking the bank.