Albion, NY to Syracuse, NY is 120.4 miles and takes about 2 hours 28 minutes via New York State Thruway and I-690, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a straightforward trip, primarily utilizing major highways, making it a good option for a quick, efficient journey. You'll find this route offers a practical way to cover the distance with minimal fuss, suitable for a single day of travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.2 miles from Albion, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 120.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (33%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route presents a mixed driving experience, with 33% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Western Expressway and I-690, but the New York State Thruway will carry you for the longest uninterrupted segment of 61.1 miles. Expect a relatively fast pace for a significant portion of your journey, allowing you to cover ground quickly. The profile suggests a blend of highway speeds and potentially some slightly more varied road conditions as you approach your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 32 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 61.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 110.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 120.4 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 110.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
110.5 mi into trip|~2h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 690, NY 690: Syracuse, Fulton
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 39
Toward I 690, NY 690: Syracuse, Fulton
6
111.2 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 690 East: Fairgrounds, Syracuse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 690 East: Fairgrounds, Syracuse
6
119.3 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Take the exit toward Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown
8
119.5 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown
6
120.3 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|US 11 / South State Street
Turn right onto US 11 / South State Street
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 Albion, NY to Syracuse, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Fulton along the way.
Fulton
110.5 mi in|~2h 13m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
61.1 mi
1h 10m
Western Expressway
20.1 mi
26m
I 690
7.9 mi
9m
NY 531
7.5 mi
8m
Brockport-Spencerport Road
4.8 mi
5m
State Route 31
4.1 mi
4m
Holley Road
2.3 mi
2m
Brockport-Holley Road
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 61.1 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albion, NY and Syracuse, NY.
1
Start on NY 98
0.4 mi·49 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto NY 31
1.4 mi·1 min·East Avenue
3
Continue on NY 31
3.8 mi·4 min·State Route 31
4
Continue on NY 31
1.1 mi·1 min·Fancher Road
5
Turn straight onto NY 31
0.3 mi·18 sec·State Route 31
6
Continue on NY 31
2.3 mi·2 min·Holley Road
7
Continue on NY 31
0.5 mi·36 sec·West Albion Street
8
Continue on NY 31
0.1 mi·7 sec·Wright Street
9
Continue on NY 31
408 ft·5 sec·Public Square
10
Continue on NY 31
382 ft·5 sec·Mechanic Street
11
Continue on NY 31
0.5 mi·1 min·State Street
12
Continue on NY 31
1.6 mi·2 min·Brockport-Holley Road
13
Continue on NY 31
1.0 mi·1 min·West Avenue
14
Turn right onto NY 19 Truck; NY 31
1.5 mi·1 min·Redman Road
15
Turn left onto NY 19 Truck; NY 31
1.2 mi·1 min·Fourth Section Road
16
Continue on NY 31
4.8 mi·5 min·Brockport-Spencerport Road
17
Continue on NY 531
7.5 mi·8 min·NY 531
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 490 East: Rochester
19
Merge onto I 490
20 mi·26 min·Western Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
21
Merge onto I 90
61 mi·1 hr 10 min·New York State Thruway
22
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 39Toward I 690, NY 690: Syracuse, FultonUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 690 East: Fairgrounds, Syracuse
24
Continue on I 690
7.9 mi·9 min·I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward DowntownUse the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward DowntownUse the slight right lane.
27
Turn left onto NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·West Genesee Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on NY 5
0.1 mi·23 sec·James Street
29
Turn right onto NY 5
317 ft·11 sec·Oswego Boulevard
30
Continue on NY 5
524 ft·18 sec·Erie Boulevard East
31
Turn right onto US 11
0.2 mi·25 sec·South State Street
Use the straight lane.
32
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 28 minutes, this trip is easily achievable in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Syracuse comfortably. With only 120.4 miles, you don't need to worry about splitting the drive, offering flexibility in your departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 61.1-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway, as services can sometimes be spaced out on these longer highway segments.
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 60.2 miles from Albion, NY, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.1 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.2 miles or 1h 15m 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 59m
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 Albion, 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 Albion, NY
This is one driving day of about 120.4 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Albion, 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 61.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.2 mi from Albion, NY
· 1h 15m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Women's Rights National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 78.9
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 91.4
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.1
0
$12.64
$5.78
Efficient EV
30.1
0
$10.54
$4.82
EV Truck/SUV
48.2
0
$16.86
$7.71
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Albion, NY
Afternoon
in Albion on Friday
Local time
3:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Sunny
NE 6 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Afternoon
in Syracuse on Friday
Local time
3:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy
NW 6 mph21% chanceLive 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
4 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 28m 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 Albion, NY to Syracuse, NY covers 120.4 miles and takes about 2h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, Western Expressway, I 690. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.2 miles from Albion, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.82 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 14 significant decision points across 120.4 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 110.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Albion, NY to Syracuse, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Fulton 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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
