NYC Road Trip: Driving from Toronto area to New York City

This is the first video in our New York City series where we drive from our house in the Toronto area to Manhattan to get on a cruise from the Manhattan cruise port. We left the house at 4:30 and arrived at our hotel in Manhattan, NYC, at 3:30—so it took us 11 hours door to door—with a few stops along the way!

In this video, we have about five and a half hours of driving ahead of us as we make the approximately eight-hour journey from the Toronto area to New York City. After a long day on the road, we’ve officially made it to New York, and I’ll be sharing parts of our journey and what we did on our first night exploring. We hit the road early, starting at 4:30 a.m. Our first destination was Kingston, which was about two hours away, and then we would cross the border to head to New York. Since we started so early, I wasn’t going to make breakfast, so our first stop was McDonald’s for coffee and breakfast sandwiches. Then, the real drive began! Without stops, the journey would only take about eight hours, but we had planned for plenty of pit stops to stretch our legs and fuel up with caffeine and snacks.

Our second stop was in Gananoque to take care of a low tire and fill up the gas tank. We also took a quick break at McDonald’s. The tire situation could have been a road trip nightmare, but we handled it quickly and averted any real crisis. We were soon approaching the bridge to the U.S. Before crossing, we paid a $4.75 toll in Canadian dollars, which I ended up paying since it was on my side, though it was charged to Allan’s credit card. Crossing the bridge was smooth, and we were officially in New York with about five hours and 40 minutes left in the drive. We were on a mission to avoid weekend traffic, so we didn’t stop at attractions like the Thousand Islands Observation Tower or the duty-free shop. Fortunately, the border crossing was quick, and we didn’t face any lines, which was surprising given it was a long weekend.

Once in New York, we made another stop at Dunkin’ Donuts because, well, America runs on Dunkin’, and so did we that morning. We even tried the munchkins but, in my opinion, Timbits are still the best—though I’m sure some people will disagree! After that, we took a slight detour for a late lunch at Clemson Brothers Brewery. We shared a chicken sandwich and truffle fries while enjoying a flight of beer. With renewed energy, we continued our journey, and after another hour and a half of driving, we finally made it to our hotel in Manhattan. The total drive time was about 11 hours from door to door. After checking in, we did a quick room tour before heading out to explore. We stayed at Ink 48, which is conveniently located near the Manhattan cruise terminal. The only downside was the proximity to a nightclub, making sleep a little difficult, but we’d still stay here again if cruising from the same port.

Once settled, we headed south from our hotel to explore the city. Our first stop was Hudson Yards to see the Vessel, although we like to call it “the Hive” since it resembles a wasp’s nest. Unfortunately, you can no longer walk to the top, so we admired it from below. From there, we walked along the Highline, a pedestrian path that’s great for avoiding city streets and enjoying some greenery. Eventually, we made it to Chelsea Market, where we browsed the shops and restaurants, which I’ll share more about in a future video. After that, we walked to the 9/11 Memorial, which looked beautiful all lit up at night. We had been here before during the day, but it was nice to take our time walking around and reflecting.

Our final stop of the night was Torch and Crown Brewing Company in SoHo. We each had a pint and shared a delicious L Burger after hours of walking around. I hope this video helps anyone planning a road trip from Toronto to New York City. If you liked the video, don’t forget to leave a like and subscribe! More travel adventures are coming, including a list of things to do in NYC, so stay tuned.

After wrapping up our night in SoHo with some much-needed food and drinks at Torch and Crown Brewing Company, we headed back to our hotel, tired but excited for the days ahead. The walk back allowed us to take in more of the city’s energy, even at night, where the lights and sounds seemed to keep the streets alive. New York truly earns its title as “the city that never sleeps.” It was a long day, filled with over 11 hours of driving and almost 6 hours of walking around the city, but it was all worth it.

The next morning, we woke up early again, eager to make the most of our time in New York. The previous night’s sleep may have been less than peaceful due to the nightclub next door, but the excitement of being in the city had us up and ready to explore. We grabbed a quick breakfast at a nearby café before heading out for another day of sightseeing. Our agenda was packed with places to visit, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems, but we started by retracing our steps along the Highline, as the morning light gave a new perspective to this elevated park. The greenery and unique views of the city are a perfect contrast to the busy streets below.

Next on our list was Central Park, where we planned to spend a few hours walking through its many trails and paths. There’s something magical about Central Park that makes it easy to forget you’re in the heart of one of the busiest cities in the world. We spent the morning soaking in the sights, watching street performers, and even stopping by for a quick lunch at a small spot in the park. The calm atmosphere was a nice break from the buzz of the city, but soon enough, we were back on the move, heading towards the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

MoMA was incredible, as always, with its vast collection of modern and contemporary art. We spent hours wandering through the galleries, admiring the works of artists like Picasso and Van Gogh. By mid-afternoon, we were ready for another break and found a cozy café to relax in for a bit before continuing our adventure.

As the evening rolled around, we decided to take in the city’s famous skyline at sunset. We made our way to the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, which offers breathtaking views of the city. Watching the sunset over the New York City skyline, with the Empire State Building lit up in the distance, was the perfect way to end the day. The sight was magical, and it reminded us why we love coming to New York—it’s a city that always offers something new, no matter how many times you visit.

Our second day in New York ended with dinner at a little Italian restaurant we stumbled upon. The food was amazing, with homemade pasta and delicious wine, and it gave us the energy to squeeze in one last nighttime stroll before heading back to the hotel. The city streets were quieter now, but there was still a buzz in the air. We ended the night exhausted but satisfied, ready to rest up for another day of exploration.

In the next video, I’ll be sharing more details on the places we visited and things to do in New York City, so stay tuned for that. Whether you’re planning a short trip or a longer stay, there’s always something to discover in this vibrant, ever-changing city. Don’t forget to leave a like, subscribe, and follow along for more of our travel adventures!