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Trip from Amherst, NY to Melville, NY

Data updated 1 second ago

Drive Time

8h 29m

Distance

407.1 mi

655 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$67

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
8h 22m ★
6 AM
8h 29m
8 AM
8h 44m
10 AM
8h 35m
12 PM
8h 33m
3 PM
8h 35m
5 PM
8h 44m
8 PM
8h 25m

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

town in New York, United States

Amherst, NY

Wikimedia Commons

hamlet on Long Island, New York, United States

Melville, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 407.1-mile journey from Amherst, NY, to Melville, NY, will take approximately 8 hours and 29 minutes of driving time. While it's possible to complete in a single day, splitting it over two days is highly recommended to fully appreciate the drive. You'll navigate a mix of major roadways, including the New York State Thruway and I-81, with about 44% of the route on highways. Budget around $67 for fuel. The trip traverses the Northeast region entirely within New York State, offering a practical, straightforward transit experience.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

203.5 miles from Amherst, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 17m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a dynamic driving experience on this route, characterized by frequent turns and a blend of highway and local road segments. With 44% of the drive on highways, you'll encounter periods of faster travel, punctuated by more winding local sections. The longest continuous stretch you'll experience is 99.4 miles on the New York State Thruway, offering a substantial period of unimpeded driving. This 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests a route that keeps you engaged, moving from one road type to another as you progress towards your destination.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 57 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 99.4 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 3.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 39 significant decision points across 407.1 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 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 39 key points

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

8
3.1 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Albany

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 1-49 Toward I 90 East: Albany
8
103.1 mi into trip | ~2h in

Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde

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 41 Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
253.4 mi into trip | ~5h 17m in | US 6

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
368 mi into trip | ~7h 33m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
368.2 mi into trip | ~7h 33m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Amherst, NY and Melville, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.

Clyde

103.1 mi in | ~2h

Mt Pocono

253.4 mi in | ~5h 17m | via US 6

Milford

254.2 mi in | ~5h 18m | via I 84; I 380

New York City

368 mi in | ~7h 33m

Leonia

368.2 mi in | ~7h 33m

Teaneck

368.2 mi in | ~7h 33m

George Washington Bridge Upper Level

370.5 mi in | ~7h 37m

Eastern Long Island

385.4 mi in | ~7h 58m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 99.4 mi 1h 54m
I 81 98.8 mi 1h 57m
Keystone Shortway 80 mi 1h 37m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
Long Island Expressway 19.4 mi 26m
East Lake Road 9.9 mi 14m
State Highway 41 9.8 mi 13m
Clark Street Road 9.6 mi 11m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 99.4 mi, about 1h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, NY and Melville, NY.

1

Start on NY 263

0.4 mi · 50 sec · Millersport Highway
2

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 290 E
3

Merge onto I 290

2.4 mi · 3 min · Youngmann Expressway
4

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 57 sec
Exit 1-49 Toward I 90 East: Albany Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
5

Merge onto I 90

99 mi · 1 hr 54 min · New York State Thruway
6

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 58 sec
Exit 41 Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde Use the slight right lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork

327 ft · 7 sec
8

Continue on NY 414

0.3 mi · 35 sec · State Route 414
9

Turn left onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318
Use the left lane.
10

At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
11

Continue on US 20; NY 5

9.6 mi · 11 min · Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
12

Turn right onto State Street

226 ft · 12 sec · State Street
13

Turn left onto Dill Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Dill Street
14

Continue on Loop Road

458 ft · 16 sec · Loop Road
15

Turn left onto Genesee Street

5.5 mi · 9 min · Genesee Street
16

Continue on US 20

2.2 mi · 4 min · West Genesee Street Road
17

Turn right onto NY 41

0.5 mi · 45 sec · East Lake Street
18

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road
19

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
20

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road
21

Continue on NY 41

9.8 mi · 13 min · State Highway 41
22

Turn right onto NY 281

1.2 mi · 2 min · North West Street
23

Take the ramp

0.7 mi · 1 min
Use the left lane.
24

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
25

Merge onto I 81

45 mi · 54 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.
27

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 6
Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
28

Continue on I 84; I 380

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford Use the straight lane.
29

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
30

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
31

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
32

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 5 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level Use the slight right lane.
33

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.
35

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue
37

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
38

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
39

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
40

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
42

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
44

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
46

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47

Keep slight right at fork onto I 295

2.0 mi · 2 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6B Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
48

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
49

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50

Continue on I 295

3.2 mi · 3 min · Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 4E-W Toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 4E Toward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
53

Merge onto I 495

19 mi · 26 min · Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
54

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 49S Toward NY 110 South: Amityville Use the slight right lane.
55

Turn straight onto South Service Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Service Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
56

Turn left onto NY 110

1.0 mi · 1 min · Broadhollow Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
57

Arrive at destination

NY 110

Trip Plan

For this 8.5-hour drive, consider departing early to maximize daylight and break up the journey. With a recommended two-day pace, plan your overnight stop roughly halfway. Pay attention to the fuel cost estimate of $67, and ensure your tank is full before embarking on the longest stretch of 99.4 miles on the New York State Thruway. Given the 'turn-heavy' nature, staying alert and consulting your GPS frequently will be beneficial. Factor in your two planned stops for rest and refueling to make the drive more comfortable.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 203.5 miles from Amherst, NY, or about 4h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.4 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 90 miles or 1h 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 203.5 miles or 4h 17m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 203.5 miles or 4h 17m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Melville, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Amherst, 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.

+

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Amherst, NY

Aim for roughly 204 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Melville, NY

Aim for roughly 204 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Amherst, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 99.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 203.5 mi from Amherst, NY · 4h 17m into the drive

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Ramapo, NY

204 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Ramapo, NY

Overnight Options

Night 1

Ramapo, NY

204 mi · about 4.2h in

A practical overnight split lands near Ramapo, NY after about 204 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Thompson, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 90 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Syracuse, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 203.5 miles from Amherst, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.4 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 204 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.

Arriving in Melville, NY

The final approach into Melville, 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 Melville, NY.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Melville, NY with some flexibility left in the schedule.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$67.01 one way

$134.02 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 142 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $72.46 $144.92
premium $4.92 $78.90 $157.81
diesel $5.61 $89.88 $179.77

Estimated Tolls: $27.52

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55
New York State Thruway (99.4 mi) $4.97

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

$67

Tolls

$28

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$225–$335

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 142.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 122.1 1 $42.75 $19.54
Efficient EV 101.8 1 $35.62 $16.28
EV Truck/SUV 162.8 2 $56.99 $26.05

Gas CO2

142 kg

EV CO2

48 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 data refreshed 1 hour ago

Origin

Amherst, NY

Morning in Amherst on Wednesday

Local time

7:05 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Melville, NY

Morning in Melville on Wednesday

Local time

7:05 AM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

57°F

Ramapo, NY

204 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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

3 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

8h 29m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Amherst, NY to Melville, NY covers 407.1 miles and takes about 8h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, I 81, Keystone Shortway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 204 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 203.5 miles from Amherst, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $67.01 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 39 significant decision points across 407.1 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 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Amherst, NY and Melville, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.

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