Most Hudson Valley travelers assume a flight means a long ride to JFK, LaGuardia or Newark. For a large part of the region that is simply the slower choice. New York Stewart International Airport (SWF), in New Windsor just west of Newburgh, sits off I-84 and the New York State Thruway, and for many towns north of the Tappan Zee it is the closest commercial airport by a wide margin.
We measured the road distance and normal-traffic drive time from every one of the 282 towns Ernie's Taxi serves to Stewart, JFK, LaGuardia and Newark. The result: Stewart is a faster drive than all three New York City airports from 189 of those 282 towns.
Which towns are closer to Stewart Airport?
Every town we serve in Orange, Dutchess, Putnam and Ulster counties is a shorter drive to Stewart than to any New York City airport. Across the river, Stewart also wins for a good share of Rockland, northern Westchester and northern Fairfield County. By county: Orange County, NY: 44 of 44; Dutchess County, NY: 47 of 47; Putnam County, NY: 22 of 22; Ulster County, NY: 21 of 21; Rockland County, NY: 16 of 32; Westchester County, NY: 26 of 84; Fairfield County, CT: 13 of 32.
Times below are ranges: the low end is a quiet mid-day drive, the high end ordinary weekday traffic. Add 20–30 minutes for rush hour and holiday weekends on the NYC airport runs; the Stewart runs are far less exposed to city traffic.
Orange County, NY
Stewart is the quicker drive from 45 of the 45 Orange County towns we serve. The 18 with the biggest time savings (see every town on our Orange County page):
| Pickup town | Stewart (SWF) | JFK | LaGuardia | Newark | Time saved vs. closest NYC airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery | 15–20 min (9 mi) | 105–145 min | 90–125 min | 90–125 min | about 85 min |
| Walden | 15–20 min (10 mi) | 105–145 min | 95–130 min | 90–125 min | about 85 min |
| Rock Tavern | 10–15 min (7 mi) | 100–135 min | 85–120 min | 85–115 min | about 80 min |
| Newburgh | 10–15 min (7 mi) | 100–135 min | 85–120 min | 85–115 min | about 80 min |
| Pine Bush | 25–40 min (18 mi) | 115–160 min | 100–140 min | 100–140 min | about 80 min |
| New Windsor | 10–15 min (6 mi) | 95–130 min | 85–115 min | 85–115 min | about 80 min |
| Maybrook | 15–20 min (9 mi) | 100–140 min | 90–120 min | 85–120 min | about 80 min |
| Vails Gate | 10–15 min (6 mi) | 95–130 min | 80–115 min | 80–110 min | about 80 min |
| Middlehope | 20–25 min (12 mi) | 105–145 min | 90–125 min | 90–125 min | about 75 min |
| Salisbury Mills | 15–20 min (6 mi) | 95–135 min | 85–120 min | 85–115 min | about 75 min |
| Campbell Hall | 20–30 min (13 mi) | 100–140 min | 90–125 min | 85–120 min | about 75 min |
| Cornwall | 15–20 min (8 mi) | 90–125 min | 80–110 min | 80–110 min | about 70 min |
| Firthcliffe | 15–20 min (9 mi) | 90–125 min | 80–110 min | 80–110 min | about 70 min |
| Cornwall-on-Hudson | 15–25 min (9 mi) | 90–125 min | 80–110 min | 80–110 min | about 70 min |
| Washingtonville | 15–20 min (8 mi) | 90–125 min | 80–110 min | 75–105 min | about 70 min |
| Circleville | 25–35 min (19 mi) | 100–140 min | 90–125 min | 85–120 min | about 65 min |
| Westbrookville | 40–55 min (31 mi) | 115–160 min | 105–145 min | 100–140 min | about 65 min |
| Mechanicstown | 25–35 min (19 mi) | 100–135 min | 85–120 min | 85–115 min | about 65 min |
Dutchess County, NY
Stewart is the quicker drive from 47 of the 47 Dutchess County towns we serve. The 18 with the biggest time savings (see every town on our Dutchess County page):
| Pickup town | Stewart (SWF) | JFK | LaGuardia | Newark | Time saved vs. closest NYC airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyde Park | 40–60 min (30 mi) | 125–170 min | 115–160 min | 110–155 min | about 75 min |
| Poughkeepsie | 35–50 min (24 mi) | 115–160 min | 105–150 min | 105–145 min | about 75 min |
| Poughkeepsie City | 35–50 min (25 mi) | 115–160 min | 110–150 min | 105–145 min | about 75 min |
| Rhinebeck | 55–75 min (40 mi) | 135–185 min | 125–175 min | 125–170 min | about 75 min |
| Rhinecliff | 60–85 min (42 mi) | 140–195 min | 130–185 min | 130–180 min | about 75 min |
| Staatsburg | 45–65 min (34 mi) | 130–175 min | 120–165 min | 115–160 min | about 75 min |
| Beacon | 20–25 min (11 mi) | 100–140 min | 90–125 min | 90–120 min | about 75 min |
| Crown Heights | 35–50 min (21 mi) | 115–155 min | 105–145 min | 105–145 min | about 75 min |
| Glenham | 20–30 min (14 mi) | 100–140 min | 90–130 min | 90–125 min | about 75 min |
| Hughsonville | 25–35 min (15 mi) | 105–145 min | 95–130 min | 95–130 min | about 75 min |
| Myers Corner | 30–45 min (18 mi) | 110–150 min | 100–140 min | 100–140 min | about 75 min |
| New Hamburg | 25–40 min (16 mi) | 110–150 min | 100–135 min | 95–135 min | about 75 min |
| Wappinger | 25–35 min (16 mi) | 105–145 min | 95–135 min | 95–130 min | about 75 min |
| Wappingers Falls | 25–35 min (16 mi) | 105–145 min | 95–135 min | 95–130 min | about 75 min |
| Fishkill | 20–30 min (14 mi) | 100–135 min | 90–125 min | 90–125 min | about 75 min |
| Spackenkill | 40–55 min (22 mi) | 115–160 min | 105–145 min | 105–150 min | about 75 min |
| Arlington | 35–50 min (26 mi) | 115–155 min | 105–145 min | 105–150 min | about 75 min |
| Germantown | 75–100 min (58 mi) | 155–215 min | 140–195 min | 140–195 min | about 75 min |
Putnam County, NY
Stewart is the quicker drive from 22 of the 22 Putnam County towns we serve. The 18 with the biggest time savings (see every town on our Putnam County page):
| Pickup town | Stewart (SWF) | JFK | LaGuardia | Newark | Time saved vs. closest NYC airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Spring | 30–45 min (18 mi) | 90–125 min | 80–110 min | 80–110 min | about 55 min |
| Philipstown | 30–45 min (18 mi) | 90–125 min | 80–110 min | 80–110 min | about 55 min |
| Nelsonville | 35–45 min (19 mi) | 90–125 min | 80–110 min | 80–110 min | about 50 min |
| Pawling | 45–60 min (31 mi) | 85–120 min | 80–110 min | 100–140 min | about 40 min |
| Patterson | 45–60 min (34 mi) | 85–120 min | 80–110 min | 100–140 min | about 40 min |
| Garrison | 40–55 min (24 mi) | 85–120 min | 75–100 min | 75–105 min | about 40 min |
| Kent | 45–60 min (31 mi) | 85–120 min | 75–110 min | 100–140 min | about 40 min |
| Lake Carmel | 40–55 min (31 mi) | 80–115 min | 75–105 min | 95–135 min | about 40 min |
| Continental Village | 40–60 min (26 mi) | 80–115 min | 70–100 min | 80–110 min | about 35 min |
| Carmel | 45–60 min (34 mi) | 80–110 min | 75–100 min | 95–130 min | about 30 min |
| Holmes | 45–65 min (35 mi) | 80–115 min | 75–100 min | 95–135 min | about 30 min |
| Tilly Foster | 45–60 min (35 mi) | 80–110 min | 70–95 min | 90–130 min | about 30 min |
| Southeast | 45–65 min (35 mi) | 80–110 min | 75–100 min | 95–130 min | about 30 min |
| Brewster Hill | 45–65 min (36 mi) | 80–110 min | 70–100 min | 95–130 min | about 30 min |
| Lake Peekskill | 50–65 min (28 mi) | 80–115 min | 70–100 min | 85–115 min | about 30 min |
| Putnam Valley | 45–65 min (28 mi) | 80–110 min | 70–100 min | 85–115 min | about 30 min |
| Brewster Heights | 50–65 min (37 mi) | 80–110 min | 70–100 min | 95–130 min | about 25 min |
| Putnam Lake | 55–80 min (41 mi) | 90–125 min | 80–110 min | 105–140 min | about 25 min |
Ulster County, NY
Stewart is the quicker drive from 21 of the 21 Ulster County towns we serve. The 18 with the biggest time savings (see every town on our Ulster County page):
| Pickup town | Stewart (SWF) | JFK | LaGuardia | Newark | Time saved vs. closest NYC airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shawangunk | 25–35 min (17 mi) | 115–160 min | 105–145 min | 100–140 min | about 85 min |
| Gardiner | 30–40 min (21 mi) | 115–160 min | 105–145 min | 100–140 min | about 80 min |
| Plattekill | 25–35 min (13 mi) | 105–150 min | 95–130 min | 95–130 min | about 75 min |
| Marlborough | 30–40 min (17 mi) | 110–155 min | 100–140 min | 100–135 min | about 75 min |
| Esopus | 40–55 min (30 mi) | 125–170 min | 110–155 min | 110–150 min | about 75 min |
| Hurley | 55–75 min (41 mi) | 135–185 min | 120–170 min | 120–165 min | about 75 min |
| Kingston | 45–65 min (40 mi) | 130–175 min | 115–160 min | 115–155 min | about 75 min |
| Marbletown | 55–75 min (45 mi) | 135–185 min | 120–170 min | 120–165 min | about 75 min |
| New Paltz | 30–45 min (24 mi) | 110–155 min | 100–140 min | 100–135 min | about 75 min |
| Olive | 70–100 min (49 mi) | 150–210 min | 140–195 min | 140–190 min | about 75 min |
| Saugerties | 60–80 min (49 mi) | 140–190 min | 125–175 min | 125–170 min | about 75 min |
| Shandaken | 80–115 min (66 mi) | 160–225 min | 150–210 min | 150–205 min | about 75 min |
| Ulster | 55–75 min (42 mi) | 135–185 min | 125–170 min | 120–170 min | about 75 min |
| Lloyd | 35–45 min (25 mi) | 115–155 min | 100–140 min | 100–140 min | about 75 min |
| Rosendale | 45–60 min (31 mi) | 125–170 min | 110–155 min | 110–150 min | about 75 min |
| Woodstock | 60–85 min (47 mi) | 140–195 min | 130–180 min | 125–175 min | about 75 min |
| Ellenville | 40–60 min (30 mi) | 125–170 min | 110–155 min | 110–150 min | about 75 min |
| Denning | 95–130 min (53 mi) | 175–240 min | 160–225 min | 160–220 min | about 75 min |
Rockland County, NY
Stewart is the quicker drive from 16 of the 32 Rockland County towns we serve. The 5 with the biggest time savings (see every town on our Rockland County page):
| Pickup town | Stewart (SWF) | JFK | LaGuardia | Newark | Time saved vs. closest NYC airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Point | 35–50 min (27 mi) | 70–95 min | 55–80 min | 60–85 min | about 20 min |
| West Haverstraw | 40–55 min (28 mi) | 65–90 min | 55–75 min | 60–80 min | about 20 min |
| Garnerville | 40–55 min (30 mi) | 65–90 min | 55–75 min | 55–80 min | about 15 min |
| Haverstraw | 40–60 min (30 mi) | 65–90 min | 55–75 min | 60–80 min | about 15 min |
| Thiells | 45–60 min (31 mi) | 70–95 min | 55–80 min | 60–80 min | about 15 min |
Westchester County, NY
Stewart is the quicker drive from 26 of the 84 Westchester County towns we serve. The 18 with the biggest time savings (see every town on our Westchester County page):
| Pickup town | Stewart (SWF) | JFK | LaGuardia | Newark | Time saved vs. closest NYC airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peekskill | 40–55 min (24 mi) | 75–105 min | 65–90 min | 75–105 min | about 30 min |
| Buchanan | 40–55 min (26 mi) | 75–100 min | 65–85 min | 75–105 min | about 25 min |
| Verplanck | 45–60 min (27 mi) | 75–105 min | 65–95 min | 80–110 min | about 25 min |
| Peach Lake | 50–65 min (39 mi) | 75–105 min | 70–95 min | 90–125 min | about 25 min |
| Lake Mohegan | 50–65 min (29 mi) | 75–110 min | 70–95 min | 85–115 min | about 25 min |
| Mohegan Lake | 50–65 min (29 mi) | 75–110 min | 70–95 min | 85–115 min | about 25 min |
| Montrose | 45–60 min (28 mi) | 75–105 min | 65–90 min | 80–110 min | about 20 min |
| Crugers | 45–65 min (29 mi) | 70–100 min | 60–85 min | 80–110 min | about 20 min |
| Crompond | 45–60 min (29 mi) | 70–95 min | 60–85 min | 75–105 min | about 15 min |
| Shrub Oak | 50–70 min (30 mi) | 75–105 min | 65–90 min | 80–110 min | about 15 min |
| North Salem | 55–75 min (42 mi) | 75–105 min | 70–95 min | 90–125 min | about 15 min |
| Jefferson Valley | 50–70 min (32 mi) | 75–105 min | 65–90 min | 80–115 min | about 15 min |
| Baldwin Place | 55–75 min (35 mi) | 75–105 min | 70–95 min | 85–120 min | about 15 min |
| Yorktown | 45–65 min (31 mi) | 70–95 min | 60–85 min | 75–105 min | about 15 min |
| Granite Springs | 55–75 min (34 mi) | 75–105 min | 65–90 min | 80–115 min | about 15 min |
| Croton-on-Hudson | 45–65 min (31 mi) | 70–95 min | 60–80 min | 75–105 min | about 10 min |
| Waccabuc | 60–85 min (46 mi) | 80–110 min | 70–100 min | 95–130 min | about 10 min |
| Croton Falls | 55–75 min (42 mi) | 70–100 min | 60–85 min | 85–120 min | about 10 min |
Fairfield County, CT
Stewart is the quicker drive from 13 of the 32 Fairfield County towns we serve. The 9 with the biggest time savings (see every town on our Fairfield County page):
| Pickup town | Stewart (SWF) | JFK | LaGuardia | Newark | Time saved vs. closest NYC airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherman | 65–90 min (47 mi) | 100–135 min | 90–125 min | 115–155 min | about 30 min |
| Fairfield | 55–75 min (41 mi) | 85–120 min | 80–110 min | 100–140 min | about 25 min |
| New Fairfield | 60–85 min (44 mi) | 90–125 min | 80–115 min | 105–145 min | about 25 min |
| Bethel | 60–85 min (48 mi) | 90–130 min | 85–115 min | 105–150 min | about 25 min |
| Brookfield | 65–90 min (52 mi) | 95–130 min | 85–120 min | 110–150 min | about 25 min |
| Danbury | 55–80 min (45 mi) | 85–120 min | 80–110 min | 100–140 min | about 25 min |
| New Milford | 70–100 min (59 mi) | 100–140 min | 95–130 min | 115–160 min | about 25 min |
| Newtown | 65–95 min (56 mi) | 95–135 min | 90–125 min | 110–155 min | about 25 min |
| Botsford | 75–105 min (60 mi) | 100–135 min | 90–125 min | 115–160 min | about 20 min |
Stewart vs JFK, LaGuardia and Newark: how to decide
- Check the route first. Stewart has far fewer flights than the New York City airports. If your airline flies your route from SWF, the shorter drive usually wins; if you need a connection anyway, compare total travel time, not just the ride.
- Drive time is only part of it. A smaller terminal generally means a shorter walk from the curb, shorter security lines and quicker baggage claim. That lets many travelers get picked up later than they would for JFK.
- International and long-haul trips usually still mean JFK or Newark. From Middletown, Newark is about 85–120 minutes and JFK 100–140; from Mount Kisco, LaGuardia is 55–75 minutes and JFK 60–85. Our airport drive-time guide covers those runs town by town.
- Lower Westchester and Rockland are the close call. From Nyack, Stewart is about 55–75 minutes and Newark 50–70; from Peekskill, Stewart is 40–55 against 65–90 to LaGuardia. There the choice comes down to the flight, not the drive. Northern Westchester travelers should also compare Westchester County Airport (HPN).
Getting to Stewart from east of the Hudson
From Putnam, Dutchess and northern Westchester, the usual crossing is the Newburgh–Beacon Bridge on I-84, which lands a few minutes from the terminal. From Peekskill and the Hudson Highlands the Bear Mountain Bridge and Route 9W are sometimes quicker; from Rockland and lower Westchester it is the Thruway north via the Mario Cuomo Bridge. We pick the crossing on the day, based on live traffic.
Booking a car to or from Stewart
Ernie's Taxi quotes every Stewart Airport ride as one fixed flat rate before you book, with no meter and no surge pricing. We track your flight on pickups, so a late landing does not change the price, and we pick up at the terminal curb. Sedans suit one to three travelers; minivans and large SUVs handle families, ski bags and golf clubs. See our Stewart Airport car service page, or the routes from Newburgh to Stewart Airport, Middletown to Stewart Airport and Goshen to Stewart Airport.
Need a ride to Stewart Airport?
One flat rate quoted up front, real-time flight tracking, WCTLC-licensed drivers. Airport rides run 24/7 by reservation; reserve between 6 AM and 10 PM.
📞 (914) 666-7373Book OnlineFrequently asked questions
How far is Stewart Airport from Newburgh?
About 7 miles, roughly 10–15 minutes by road. From Newburgh, JFK is about 80 miles (100–135 minutes) and Newark about 70 miles (85–115 minutes).
Is Stewart Airport closer than JFK from Poughkeepsie?
Yes. From Poughkeepsie, Stewart is about 24 miles (35–50 minutes) against 93 miles (115–160 minutes) to JFK, a saving of roughly 90 minutes each way.
Do you offer a taxi to Stewart Airport from Putnam County?
Yes. Ernie's Taxi runs car service to Stewart from every Putnam County town. From Mahopac it is about 55–75 minutes; from Brewster about 45–65 minutes, crossing the Hudson on the Newburgh–Beacon Bridge (I-84).
Can you pick me up at Stewart Airport when my flight lands?
Yes. Give us the flight number when you book and the driver follows the live arrival time, so an early or late landing does not change your flat rate.
What hours do you drive to Stewart Airport?
Airport rides run 24/7 by reservation, including early-morning departures. Reservations are taken 6 AM to 10 PM at (914) 666-7373 or online.
Drive times and distances were measured on the road network from each town center to the airport terminal. Your actual time depends on your exact address, traffic and weather; we build extra time into every airport pickup.
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