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Trip from Albany, NY to Waverly, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 32m

Distance

177.2 mi

285 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 20m ★
6 AM
3h 33m
8 AM
3h 57m
10 AM
3h 41m
12 PM
3h 39m
3 PM
3h 42m
5 PM
3h 56m
8 PM
3h 25m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Waverly, NY, NY

Waverly, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

This highway-focused drive from Albany, NY, to Waverly, NY, covers 177.2 miles and should take about 3 hours and 32 minutes. With nearly all of it on major highways, including I-88 and I-90, this is a straightforward trip that's easily manageable as a single-day excursion. You can expect to spend around $29 on fuel for the journey. The route stays within the Northeast region, offering a consistent driving experience without significant regional shifts. The efficiency of this drive makes it a practical choice for getting between these two New York locations.

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

88.6 miles from Albany, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 177.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway experience, with 98% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-88 and the Southern Tier Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 117.7 miles on I-88, which means you can settle in for a good period of consistent cruising. This profile suggests a drive focused on covering ground efficiently, with minimal need for navigating slower local roads. The character is that of a typical interstate journey, designed for speed and directness.

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 88 is the longest continuous segment at about 117.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 88 and Southern Tier Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Henry Johnson Boulevard.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 177.2 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 0.6 miles (Henry Johnson Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | Henry Johnson Boulevard

Turn right onto Henry Johnson Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
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
6
17.9 mi into trip | ~24m in

Take the exit toward I 88, NY 7: Schenectady, Binghamton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 25A Toward I 88, NY 7: Schenectady, Binghamton
8
176.4 mi into trip | ~3h 30m in

Take the exit toward NY 34, PA 199: Waverly, Sayre

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 61 Toward NY 34, PA 199: Waverly, Sayre
6
176.6 mi into trip | ~3h 31m in | NY 34 / Cayuta Avenue

Turn left onto NY 34 / Cayuta Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Albany, NY to Waverly, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Binghamton along the way.

Binghamton

17.9 mi in | ~24m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 88 117.7 mi 2h 16m
Southern Tier Expressway 38.1 mi 44m
I 90 15.7 mi 19m
I 81 1.3 mi 1m
Henry Johnson Boulevard 0.8 mi 1m
Cayuta Avenue 0.6 mi <1m
Washington Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Central Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 88 — 117.7 mi, about 2h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Albany, NY and Waverly, 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

11 mi · 12 min · I 90
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 25A Toward I 88, NY 7: Schenectady, Binghamton
10

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 1 min · this road
11

Continue on I 88

118 mi · 2 hr 16 min · I 88
12

Merge onto I 81

1.3 mi · 1 min · I 81
13

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Corning
14

Merge onto I 86; NY 17

38 mi · 44 min · Southern Tier Expressway
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 50 sec
Exit 61 Toward NY 34, PA 199: Waverly, Sayre Use the right lane.
16

Turn left onto NY 34

0.6 mi · 56 sec · Cayuta Avenue
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn right onto NY 17C

44 ft · 0 sec · Chemung Street
18

Arrive at destination

NY 17C

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 32-minute duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aiming for an early start can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you leave Albany. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, you won't need to plan extensive breaks, but be aware that the longest stretch without a break is over 117 miles on I-88, so consider a fuel or rest stop before you feel you need one. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $29 estimated cost is based on efficient highway driving.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 88.6 miles from Albany, NY, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.7 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 39 miles or 49m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 88.6 miles or 1h 47m 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 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waverly, 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 177.2 miles and 3h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 88 for about 117.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 88.6 mi from Albany, NY · 1h 47m into the drive

Downtown Maryland, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Maryland, NY

89 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

Cobleskill, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Otego, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 88.6 miles from Albany, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 88 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 117.7 miles.

Arriving in Waverly, NY

The final approach into Waverly, 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 Waverly, 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

$29.17 one way

$58.34 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 62 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $31.54 $63.08
premium $4.92 $34.34 $68.69
diesel $5.61 $39.12 $78.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 62 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53.2 0 $18.61 $8.51
Efficient EV 44.3 0 $15.50 $7.09
EV Truck/SUV 70.9 0 $24.81 $11.34

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 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

Morning in Albany on Friday

Local time

11:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

34°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waverly, NY

Morning in Waverly on Friday

Local time

11:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

39°F

Maryland, NY

89 mi in

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

8 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

3h 32m 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 Waverly, NY covers 177.2 miles and takes about 3h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 88, Southern Tier Expressway, I 90. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 88.6 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 $29.17 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

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 14 significant decision points across 177.2 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 0.6 miles (Henry Johnson Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

On the drive from Albany, NY to Waverly, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Binghamton along the way.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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