Origin
Beacon, NY
Afternoon in Beacon on Thursday
Local time
1:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Trip from Beacon, NY to Amherst, NY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 32m
Distance
356.9 mi
574 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 19m
★
6 AM
5h 33m
8 AM
5h 59m
10 AM
5h 42m
12 PM
5h 39m
3 PM
5h 43m
5 PM
5h 58m
8 PM
5h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Beacon, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Amherst, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Beacon, NY to Amherst, NY covers 356.9 miles and takes about 5h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Avenue, North Road, I 84 West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $58.75 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
178.5 miles from Beacon, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 32m. Total distance: 356.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 32m drive with frequent turns across 356.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 32m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Beacon, NY to Amherst, NY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Avenue | — | — |
| North Road | — | — |
| I 84 West | — | — |
| NY 17K | — | — |
| Highway 17K | — | — |
| I 86 West | — | — |
| I 81 North | — | — |
| NY 13 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beacon, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto North Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Avenue
3
Continue on North Road
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
North Road
4
Take the ramp left toward I 84 West, NY 52 West: Newburgh Beacon Bridge, Newburgh
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
I 84 West, NY 52 West: Newburgh Beacon Bridge, Newburgh
5
Merge slight left
6.8 mi
·
8 min
6
Take the exit slight right toward NY 17K: Montgomery, Newburgh
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
NY 17K: Montgomery, Newburgh
7
Turn right
6.9 mi
·
9 min
8
Turn slight left onto State Highway 17K
10 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 17K
9
Take the ramp sharp right toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Wurtsboro, Binghamton
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
I 86 West, NY 17 West: Wurtsboro, Binghamton
10
Merge slight left
110 mi
·
2 hr 17 min
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Syracuse
37 mi
·
43 min
·
I 81 North: Syracuse
13
Take the exit slight right toward NY 13: Cortland
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
NY 13: Cortland
14
Turn right onto Clinton Avenue
39 ft
·
5 sec
·
Clinton Avenue
15
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Locust Avenue
16
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Albany Street
17
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
18
Turn left onto Clinton Street
10 mi
·
15 min
·
Clinton Street
19
Continue on East Lake Road
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Lake Road
20
Continue on State Route 41
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 41
21
Continue on East Lake Road
9.4 mi
·
13 min
·
East Lake Road
22
Continue on East Lake Street
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
East Lake Street
23
Turn left onto East Genesee Street
7.3 mi
·
13 min
·
East Genesee Street
24
Turn right onto North Fulton Street
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
North Fulton Street
25
Turn left onto Arterial West
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Arterial West
26
Continue on Chase Street
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Chase Street
27
Continue on Auburn Road
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Auburn Road
28
Turn right
4.1 mi
·
7 min
29
Continue straight
318 ft
·
10 sec
30
Turn right onto State Route 414
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
State Route 414
31
Continue on Ridge Road
217 ft
·
11 sec
·
Ridge Road
32
Take the ramp left
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
33
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Buffalo
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 90 West: Buffalo
34
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
100 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
New York State Thruway
35
Take the exit slight right toward I 290: Niagara Falls
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
I 290: Niagara Falls
36
Continue on Youngmann Expressway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Youngmann Expressway
37
Take the exit slight right toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road
38
Turn left onto Sheridan Drive
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Sheridan Drive
39
Turn left onto Millersport Highway
469 ft
·
14 sec
·
Millersport Highway
40
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 178.5 miles from Beacon, NY, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
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 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.5 miles or 2h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Amherst, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Beacon, 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 Beacon, NY
This is one driving day of about 356.9 miles and 5h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Beacon, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 178.5 mi from Beacon, NY · 2h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
178 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 178.5 miles from Beacon, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Amherst, NY
The final approach into Amherst, 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 Amherst, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.75 one way
$117.50 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
125 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $63.53 | $127.05 |
| premium | $4.92 | $69.17 | $138.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $78.80 | $157.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 107.1 | 1 | $37.47 | $17.13 |
| Efficient EV | 89.2 | 1 | $31.23 | $14.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 142.8 | 1 | $49.97 | $22.84 |
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.
Destination
Amherst, NY
Afternoon in Amherst on Thursday
Local time
1:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Union, NY
178 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.
Road read
5h 32m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Beacon, NY to Amherst, NY covers 356.9 miles and takes about 5h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Avenue, North Road, I 84 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 178.5 miles from Beacon, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $58.75 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 32m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Beacon, NY to Amherst, NY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Beacon, NY to Amherst, NY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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