This 118.3-mile drive from Albany to Pomona, NY, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 23 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, it's an economical option for a quick getaway within New York. The route primarily utilizes the New York State Thruway and the Palisades Interstate Parkway, with a portion on US 6. Given its relatively short duration and the regions staying within the Northeast, this journey is well-suited for a single day's adventure without the need for an overnight stay. Expect a straightforward commute for most of the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.2 miles from Albany, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 118.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive features a significant amount of highway travel, with 15% of the journey on major roadways. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 96.2 miles on the New York State Thruway, offering a period of consistent speed. However, the overall profile is described as a "turn-heavy local drive," suggesting that as you transition to the Palisades Interstate Parkway and US 6, the character of the road will change, becoming more winding and potentially less direct. This mix means you'll have both highway cruising and more engaged driving sections.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New York State Thruway is the longest continuous segment at about 96.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 100.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 118.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 100.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
10
100.4 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 17 South, NY 32 North: Woodbury, Harriman
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 131
Toward NY 17 South, NY 32 North: Woodbury, Harr...
8
100.5 mi into trip|~2h in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 17 South: Harriman
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward NY 17 South: Harriman
7
100.9 mi into trip|~2h in
Turn left toward US 6 East: Palisades Interstate Parkway, Bear Mountain, West Point
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 6 East: Palisades Interstate Parkway,...
8
117.4 mi into trip|~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward NY 45: New Hempstead, Spring Valley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward NY 45: New Hempstead, Spring Valley
8
117.6 mi into trip|~2h 21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 45: New Hempstead, Spring Valley
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 12
Toward NY 45: New Hempstead, Spring Valley
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Albany, NY and Pomona, NY, road signs point toward Harriman, Bear Mountain, Point and Palisades Interstate Parkway South.
Harriman
100.4 mi in|~1h 59m
Bear Mountain
100.9 mi in|~2h
Point
100.9 mi in|~2h
Palisades Interstate Parkway South
107.3 mi in|~2h 9m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
96.2 mi
1h 51m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
9.4 mi
10m
US 6
6.1 mi
7m
I 787
1.7 mi
2m
Pomona Road
0.5 mi
1m
Broadway
0.5 mi
1m
Averell Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Pine Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 96.2 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany, NY and Pomona, NY.
1
Start on this road
30 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto NY 5
352 ft·10 sec·Washington Avenue
3
Turn left onto Eagle Street
156 ft·4 sec·Eagle Street
4
Turn slight right onto Pine Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·Pine Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto Broadway
0.2 mi·41 sec·Broadway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto Broadway
0.2 mi·24 sec·Broadway
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 787 South
8
Merge onto I 787
1.1 mi·1 min·I 787
9
Continue on I 787
0.6 mi·1 min·I 787
Exit 1Toward I 87 Toll: New York State Thruway
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1
11
Merge onto I 87
96 mi·1 hr 51 min·New York State Thruway
12
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 16Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
13
Continue on this road
152 ft·3 sec·this road
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 131Toward NY 17 South, NY 32 North: Woodbury, HarrimanUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
301 ft·9 sec
Toward NY 17 South: HarrimanUse the left lane.
16
Continue on NY 17
0.3 mi·47 sec·Averell Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward US 6 East: Palisades Interstate Parkway, Bear Mountain, West PointUse the left lane.
18
Merge onto US 6
6.1 mi·7 min·US 6
19
Enter roundabout
346 ft·4 sec
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
20
Continue
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
21
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
9.4 mi·10 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 12Toward NY 45: New Hempstead, Spring ValleyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
476 ft·12 sec
Exit 12Toward NY 45: New Hempstead, Spring Valley
24
Turn straight onto NY 45
0.1 mi·11 sec·State Highway 45
25
Turn right onto CR 86
0.5 mi·1 min·Pomona Road
Use the right lane.
26
Arrive at destination
CR 86
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 23-minute drive, starting your journey in the morning is advisable to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach the New York City metropolitan area. While there are no specific stops recommended in the data, the 96.2-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway offers a good opportunity for a planned fuel or rest break if needed. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $19 for the entire 118.3 miles. Pay attention to signage when transitioning between the New York State Thruway and the Palisades Interstate Parkway to ensure you are on the correct path.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.2 miles from Albany, NY, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 26 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.2 miles or 1h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pomona, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Albany, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Albany, NY
This is one driving day of about 118.3 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Albany, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 96.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.2 mi from Albany, NY
· 1h 11m into the drive
The midpoint is around 59.2 miles from Albany, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Pomona, NY
The final approach into Pomona, NY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Pomona, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Saratoga National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 118.3
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 118.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.47 one way
$38.95 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$21.06
$42.11
premium
$4.92
$22.93
$45.86
diesel
$5.61
$26.12
$52.24
Estimated Tolls: $4.81
New York State Thruway
(96.2 mi)$4.81
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.5
0
$12.42
$5.68
Efficient EV
29.6
0
$10.35
$4.73
EV Truck/SUV
47.3
0
$16.56
$7.57
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Albany, NY
Late night
in Albany on Friday
Local time
3:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pomona, NY
Late night
in Pomona on Friday
Local time
3:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
24 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 23m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Albany, NY to Pomona, NY covers 118.3 miles and takes about 2h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, Palisades Interstate Parkway, US 6. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.2 miles from Albany, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.47 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 118.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 100.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Albany, NY and Pomona, NY, road signs point toward Harriman, Bear Mountain, Point and Palisades Interstate Parkway South.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the
methodology page.
