> Driving from NYC to The Catskills: ~2.5 hours, ~120 miles. Mountains, hikes, breweries and small-town charm upstate. Compare car rental deals with free cancellation.

Road trip from NYC

# NYC to The Catskills

Mountains, hikes, breweries and small-town charm upstate.

~2.5 hours · ~120 miles from New York City

The Catskills are NYC's go-to mountain escape — about 2.5 hours north for hiking, swimming holes, breweries and towns like Woodstock and Phoenicia. A rental is the only practical way to reach the trailheads and back roads.

## Trip highlights

- Hikes like Kaaterskill Falls and the high peaks
- Woodstock, Phoenicia and Hudson Valley towns
- Swimming holes, breweries and farm stands
- AWD SUV is ideal in winter for ski country

## Driving tips

### AWD for winter

If you're heading up for skiing or in winter, an all-wheel-drive SUV handles the mountain roads far better than a sedan.

## NYC to The Catskills FAQs

### Do you need a car to visit the Catskills?

Yes — the Catskills' trailheads, towns and swimming holes are spread across back roads with no real transit. A rental car (AWD in winter) is essential.

## Renting a car for the trip

Compare deals for your dates in the search below. For longer hauls, consider an [SUV](https://www.newyorkautorental.com/cars/suv) or [full-size car](https://www.newyorkautorental.com/cars/full-size), and if you're flying back rather than returning to the city, check out a [one-way rental](https://www.newyorkautorental.com/guides/one-way-car-rental-from-nyc).

[More road trips from NYC](https://www.newyorkautorental.com/road-trips)

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