How far is Washington DC from New York?
Washington DC is about 225 miles from New York: 4.5 to 5 hours by car, about 3 hours on Acela, 3.5 on the Northeast Regional. Every option compared.
Washington DC is about 225 miles from New York City by road, a drive of roughly four and a half to five hours without heavy traffic. The train is quicker: Acela runs Penn Station to Union Station in about three hours or a little less, the Northeast Regional in about three and a half. That puts the capital within day-trip range, which is exactly what the tours on our homepage are built around.
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New York to Washington at a glance
How the main options compare for one person heading south. Train and bus fares change daily, so treat them as ranges.
| Option | Time in transit | Where you start and finish | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car (private tour) | about 4.5 to 5 hours, longer in traffic | Your NYC hotel to the National Mall | listed per person, total works like a car hire: $3,050 for 1 adult, $3,412 for 4 on a mid-October weekday we checked |
| Amtrak Acela | about 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours | Penn Station / Moynihan to Union Station | roughly $60 to $250+ one way |
| Amtrak Northeast Regional | about 3.5 hours | Penn Station / Moynihan to Union Station | roughly $30 to $150 one way |
| Intercity bus | about 4 to 5 hours | Midtown kerbside or Port Authority to central DC | roughly $20 to $80 one way |
| Flying (LGA to DCA) | about 1 hour 20 minutes in the air, 3.5 to 4.5 hours door to door | Your hotel to downtown DC | varies widely |
Whichever way you go, New York to Washington takes three to five hours.
The drive: New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland
Yes, you can drive from New York to Washington DC, and the route is simple. From Manhattan you cross the Hudson and follow the New Jersey Turnpike almost the length of the state, cross the Delaware Memorial Bridge, take I-95 through northern Delaware, then run through Maryland, passing Baltimore by the Fort McHenry Tunnel.
It is about 225 miles, a little under five hours non-stop. Traffic is the variable: leaving Manhattan, the Turnpike near Newark, the Baltimore tunnels and the Capital Beltway are the slow spots, and rush hour at either end can push the trip past six hours. Friday afternoons and holiday weekends are the worst.
If you drive yourself, the Turnpike, the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Delaware stretch of I-95 and Baltimore’s harbour tunnels all charge tolls, and the Hudson crossings add more on the way back into Manhattan. Budget for several tolls each way, plus parking in DC.
The private car day trip hands the driving to someone else: a licensed driver collects you from your New York hotel around 7:00 AM, a private guide meets you in Washington for a walking tour of the Mall, and the car brings you back the same evening, about 14 hours in all. Our breakdown of the private car tour has the details.
The train: Penn Station to Union Station
The train is the fastest way into central Washington. Amtrak runs from Penn Station, boarding through Moynihan Train Hall, to Union Station, a short walk from the Capitol.
Acela is the faster premium train, Business and First Class only, taking about 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours; the newer NextGen Acela trains shave a few minutes off some runs. The Northeast Regional stops more often and takes about three and a half hours, in comfortable coach seats.
Fares are dynamic. Booked well ahead, a Regional seat can be $30 to $50, often climbing past $100 near the day. Acela runs from around $60 on an advance sale to $200 and up for flexible or First Class tickets.
The bus
Intercity buses are the cheapest option. FlixBus, Megabus, Greyhound, Vamoose and others run the route many times a day, often for $20 to $50. Plan on four to five hours, since they sit in the same I-95 traffic as everyone else.
A guided group day trip keeps the coach and a guide with you all day. The NYC to Washington DC day trip by van or bus leaves 7th Ave and W 51st St at 6, 7 or 8 AM, costs $107 per person, and is the most-reviewed day trip on this site, at 4.6 from 4,483 reviews.
Flying
LaGuardia to Reagan National is only about an hour and 20 minutes in the air. Add the trip to LaGuardia, security, boarding and the ride in from the airport, and door to door comes to three and a half to four and a half hours, no faster than Acela.
What this means for a day trip
A day trip works, but travel eats into your time in the city. Roughly how much of the day you get in DC:
| Day-trip option | Total day | Time in Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Private car tour from your hotel | about 14 hours | around 4 to 5 hours, with a private guide |
| Train + private tour in DC | your choice | a full day, 8 hours or more with early and evening trains |
| Group day trip by bus or van | about 15 hours | around 5 to 6 hours of stops, including 90 minutes of free time |
The private car tour is the easiest day, with the car at your door and no stations. Its total barely moves with group size, so it suits a family or small group sharing. For Philadelphia too, the private Washington and Philadelphia tour covers both cities in about 17 hours.
The train gives you the most time in the capital. Pair it with a private tour that starts in Washington, such as the four-hour luxury-vehicle tour, from $520 per group of up to five and the best-reviewed private tour of Washington on this site (4.8 from 41 reviews). See the train with a private guide for timings.
On a budget, the group day trip from NYC covers the big memorials and Arlington for $107 a head. For the full comparison, see which private Washington tour from NYC is right for you and whether a day trip to Washington from New York is realistic.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Washington DC from New York by car?
About 225 miles by road, mostly on the New Jersey Turnpike and I-95. The drive takes roughly four and a half to five hours without heavy traffic, and six or more at rush hour.
How long is the train from NYC to DC?
Acela takes about 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours from Penn Station to Union Station. The Northeast Regional takes about three and a half hours.
Can you drive from New York to Washington DC and back in one day?
Yes, but it means nine to ten hours at the wheel. A private car tour with a driver, or a group day trip, lets you sleep on the way home.
Is it faster to fly or take the train from New York to Washington?
Usually the train. The flight is short, but once you add the trips to and from the airports and security, Acela gets you to central Washington in about the same time or less.
What is the cheapest way from New York to Washington DC?
An intercity bus, often $20 to $50 one way if you book ahead. For a guided day out, the group day trip at $107 per person includes the transport and the sightseeing.
Ready to book? See the private car tour from your NYC hotel or compare every option on our homepage.
Your Own Car to Washington and Back
Door-to-door pickup in New York, a private guide in DC, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
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