This 358-mile drive from Alden, NY to Yonkers, NY will take approximately 7 hours and 25 minutes, making it a feasible day trip for most travelers. You'll spend about 85% of your time on highways, with the Southern Tier Expressway and Genesee Expressway being key components of your journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $59, this route offers a straightforward, highway-focused experience across the Northeast region. You'll encounter two planned stops along the way, helping to break up the drive. Consider an early start to maximize daylight, especially if you're traveling during shorter daylight months.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
179 miles from Alden, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 41m into the drive
.
Yonkers is a city of 211,569 people (2020) in Westchester County. The third most populous city in New York state, Yonkers is a suburb of New York City and borders the Borough of the Bronx. Yonkers is known as the "City of Seven Hills," which are Park, Nodine, Ridge, Cross, Locust, Glen, and Church hills.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 25m. Total distance: 358 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 25m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 85% of your travel on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 129.9 miles on I 86, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While the route is largely characterized by its highway nature, there will be moments where the scenery outside the window shifts as you traverse different parts of New York. The Southern Tier Expressway and Genesee Expressway will form the backbone of this journey, offering a direct path between your origin and destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 86 is the longest continuous segment at about 129.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and Southern Tier Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 185.1 miles in near I 86; NY 17.
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 18 significant decision points across 358 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 185.1 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 337.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 348.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
185.1 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|I 86; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17 toward New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward New York
8
337.8 mi into trip|~6h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, White Plains, New York State Thruway South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 9E
Toward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, W...
7
348.5 mi into trip|~7h 11m in
Take the exit toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 7A
Toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
7
356.7 mi into trip|~7h 22m in
Take the exit toward West Yonkers Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward West Yonkers Avenue
7
358 mi into trip|~7h 25m in|US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. 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 Alden, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward New York, Palisades Interstate Parkway South, White Plains and New York State Thruway South.
New York
185.1 mi in|~3h 48m|via I 86; NY 17
Palisades Interstate Parkway South
322.1 mi in|~6h 37m
White Plains
337.8 mi in|~6h 56m
New York State Thruway South
337.8 mi in|~6h 56m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
129.9 mi
2h 40m
Southern Tier Expressway
104.5 mi
2h 2m
Genesee Expressway
38.2 mi
44m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
15.1 mi
17m
Broadway Road
13.9 mi
19m
New York State Thruway
10.2 mi
13m
Genesee Street
8.8 mi
13m
Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 129.9 mi, about 2h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alden, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on US 20
1.4 mi·2 min·Broadway Street
2
Continue on US 20
14 mi·19 min·Broadway Road
3
Continue on US 20
6.5 mi·8 min·Telephone Road
4
Turn right onto NY 63
3.0 mi·4 min·Ellicott Street Road
5
Continue on NY 63
4.1 mi·6 min·Big Tree Road
6
Continue on NY 63
0.7 mi·54 sec·State Highway 63
7
Continue on NY 63
7.5 mi·11 min·Genesee Street
8
Enter roundabout onto NY 63
108 ft·1 sec·Genesee Street
9
Continue on NY 63
1.3 mi·1 min·Genesee Street
10
Merge onto US 20A; NY 39; NY 63
3.3 mi·4 min·Geneseo-Mount Morris Road
11
Continue on NY 408
0.3 mi·32 sec·Mount Morris-Geneseo Road
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
13
Merge onto I 390
38 mi·44 min·Genesee Expressway
14
Merge onto I 86
105 mi·2 hr 2 min·Southern Tier Expressway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
130 mi·2 hr 40 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto US 6
7.1 mi·9 min·US 6
Exit 130AToward US 6: Bear Mountain
17
Enter roundabout
346 ft·4 sec
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
18
Continue
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
19
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 9EToward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, White Plains, New York State Thruway SouthUse the right lane.
21
Merge onto I 87; I 287
9.2 mi·12 min·New York State Thruway
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
1.0 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 7AToward Saw Mill River Parkway SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi·10 min·Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward West Yonkers AvenueUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Yonkers Avenue
27
Continue on Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi·57 sec·Nepperhan Avenue
28
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A
229 ft·5 sec·South Broadway
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
US 9; NY 9A
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 25-minute drive, an early morning departure from Alden is recommended, allowing you to arrive in Yonkers with ample time. With 358 miles covered, planning for two stops is wise to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 129.9-mile stretch on I 86, as services can be spaced out in certain sections. The $59 fuel cost is an estimate, so factoring in a little extra is always a good idea for peace of mind on this highway-centric journey.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 179 miles from Alden, NY, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.9 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 79 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179 miles or 3h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yonkers, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alden, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alden, NY
This is one driving day of about 358 miles and 7h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Alden, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 86 for about 129.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 179 mi from Alden, NY
· 3h 41m 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.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 355.4
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 355.4
Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 355.4
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 355.4
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 355.4
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
17 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 355.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.93 one way
$117.86 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$63.72
$127.44
premium
$4.92
$69.39
$138.77
diesel
$5.61
$79.04
$158.08
Estimated Tolls: $0.51
New York State Thruway
(10.2 mi)$0.51
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
$59
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
34 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
HondoGO Charging Station
Garnerville, New York
Other
1 DCFC
ViaLynk Charging Station
Goshen, New York
ViaLynk
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Elmira, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Vestal, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Painted Post, New York
Tesla
1 DCFC
EVolve NY Charging Station
Stony Point, New York
Other
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Binghamton, New York
Electrify America
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Painted Post, New York
Tesla
1 DCFC
Other: 13
ChargePoint: 12
Tesla: 4
ViaLynk: 2
Electrify America: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.4
1
$37.59
$17.18
Efficient EV
89.5
1
$31.33
$14.32
EV Truck/SUV
143.2
1
$50.12
$22.91
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Alden, NY
Late night
in Alden on Saturday
Local time
12:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Late night
in Yonkers on Saturday
Local time
12:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 6 to 12 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
57°F
Ramapo, NY
179 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
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
7h 25m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alden, NY to Yonkers, NY covers 358 miles and takes about 7h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 86, Southern Tier Expressway, Genesee Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 179 miles from Alden, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $58.93 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 358 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 185.1 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 337.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 348.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Alden, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward New York, Palisades Interstate Parkway South, White Plains and New York State Thruway South.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
