Drive Time
7h 1m
Distance
354 mi
570 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
Photo: Clément Proust
The drive from Amherst, NY to Poughkeepsie, NY covers 354 miles and takes about 7h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 290 E, Youngmann Expressway, I 90 East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $55.87 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
177 miles from Amherst, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 30m into the drive .
Expect a 7h 1m drive with frequent turns across 354 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 290 E | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Youngmann Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 90 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| New York State Thruway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| NY 28 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Kingston Traffic Circle | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Colonel Chandler Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Broadway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, NY and Poughkeepsie, NY.
Start on Millersport Highway
Take the ramp slight right toward I 290 E
Merge slight left onto Youngmann Expressway
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East: Albany
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
Keep slight right to continue on New York State Thruway
Take the exit slight right toward NY 28: Kingston, Rhinecliff Bridge
Keep slight left
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Kingston Traffic Circle
Exit the rotary onto Colonel Chandler Drive
Keep slight right to continue on Colonel Chandler Drive
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Broadway
Exit the roundabout onto Broadway
Turn straight onto McEntee Street
Turn left onto Wurts Street
Continue on Kingston-Port Ewen Suspension Bridge
Continue on Old US 9W
Turn right onto Broadway
Keep slight right to continue on Mid Hudson Bridge
Turn left onto South Clinton Street
Enter the roundabout toward Reservoir Square
Arrive at your destination
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 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 177 miles or 3h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Poughkeepsie, NY than in the middle of the route.
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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Amherst, NY
This is one driving day of about 354 miles and 7h 1m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 177 mi from Amherst, NY · 3h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
177 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 177 miles from Amherst, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Poughkeepsie, 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 Poughkeepsie, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$55.87 one way
$111.75 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $62.45 | $124.90 |
| premium | $4.86 | $67.75 | $135.50 |
| diesel | $4.69 | $65.42 | $130.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.9 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 106.2 | 1 | $37.17 | $16.99 |
| Efficient EV | 88.5 | 1 | $30.97 | $14.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 141.6 | 1 | $49.56 | $22.66 |
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Amherst on Saturday
Local time
10:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Poughkeepsie on Saturday
Local time
10:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
53°F
Schenectady, NY
177 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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