Origin
Albany, NY
Morning in Albany on Wednesday
Local time
8:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Albany, NY to Syracuse, NY
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
2h 53m
Distance
144.6 mi
233 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 43m
★
6 AM
2h 54m
8 AM
3h 16m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
2h 59m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 15m
8 PM
2h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Syracuse, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 144.6-mile drive from Albany to Syracuse, NY, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in under 3 hours. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $24. You'll primarily be on I-90, with brief segments of I-690 and I-481 as you approach Syracuse. Given its efficiency and relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a quick transit between two points within the Northeast region. You won't need an overnight stop, making it a flexible option for your travel plans.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
72.3 miles from Albany, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for 97% of this trip, meaning you'll be on interstates for the vast majority of your journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 133.5 miles on I-90, offering a consistent pace. This profile suggests a smooth, albeit potentially monotonous, experience with limited opportunities for spontaneous detours or scenic overlooks directly off the main path. As you get closer to Syracuse, you'll transition onto I-690 and I-481, which are also interstate highways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 133.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 690. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 144.6 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 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 90 West
8
135.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 481: Syracuse, Oswego
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 34A
Toward I 481: Syracuse, Oswego
7
139.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 690 West: Syracuse, Fairgrounds
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 690 West: Syracuse, Fairgrounds
8
144 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward Townsend Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13
Toward Townsend Street, Downtown
7
144.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
|
North Townsend Street
Turn left onto North Townsend Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Oswego, Fairgrounds and Binghamton.
Oswego
135.7 mi in
|
~2h 40m
Fairgrounds
136.5 mi in
|
~2h 41m
Binghamton
136.5 mi in
|
~2h 41m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 133.5 mi | 2h 35m |
| I 690 | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| I 481 | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Henry Johnson Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Washington Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South State Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Central Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Townsend Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 133.5 mi, about 2h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany, NY and Syracuse, NY.
1
Start on this road
30 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto NY 5
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Avenue
3
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 5
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Central Avenue
4
Turn right onto Henry Johnson Boulevard
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Henry Johnson Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 90: Buffalo, Boston
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 West
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Merge onto I 90
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
128 mi
·
2 hr 28 min
·
I 90
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 34A
Toward I 481: Syracuse, Oswego
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 481 South: Syracuse, Fairgrounds, Binghamton
11
Merge onto I 481
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
I 481
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 690 West: Syracuse, Fairgrounds
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on I 690
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
I 690
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 13
Toward Townsend Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto North Townsend Street
501 ft
·
16 sec
·
North Townsend Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto East Water Street
479 ft
·
16 sec
·
East Water Street
17
Turn left onto US 11
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South State Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
For this efficient 2-hour and 53-minute drive, leaving early in the morning can help you avoid any potential commuter traffic as you near Syracuse. With only one recommended stop and a high highway share, you can choose to take your breaks strategically or power through the 144.6 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch on I-90, and utilize the services available along the interstate. The relatively short duration means you have flexibility in your departure time and can easily adapt to your schedule.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.3 miles from Albany, NY, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.5 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.3 miles or 1h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Syracuse, 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 144.6 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Albany, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 133.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.3 mi from Albany, NY · 1h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72.3 miles from Albany, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 133.5 miles.
Arriving in Syracuse, NY
The final approach into Syracuse, 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 Syracuse, NY.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.80 one way
$47.60 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $25.74 | $51.48 |
| premium | $4.92 | $28.03 | $56.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.93 | $63.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.18 | $6.94 |
| Efficient EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.65 | $5.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.8 | 0 | $20.24 | $9.25 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Morning in Syracuse on Wednesday
Local time
8:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 10 mph
67% chance
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
32 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 53m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Syracuse, NY covers 144.6 miles and takes about 2h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, I 690, I 481. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.3 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 $23.80 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 144.6 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 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Albany, NY and Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Oswego, Fairgrounds and Binghamton.
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