Origin
Brighton, NY
Afternoon in Brighton on Saturday
Local time
1:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brighton, NY to Syracuse, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 41m
Distance
83.7 mi
135 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
17 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 34m
★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 57m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 48m
5 PM
1h 56m
8 PM
1h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brighton, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Syracuse, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Brighton, NY to Syracuse, NY is 83.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 41 minutes via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive entirely within New York, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a fairly direct journey with a significant portion on the interstate, making it a practical choice for a quick trip. The overall feel is that of a functional commute rather than a scenic expedition, so plan accordingly if you're seeking picturesque views. This route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, minimizing travel time between these two New York locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.8 miles from Brighton, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 61.1 mi | 1h 10m |
| Eastern Expressway | 10.8 mi | 13m |
| I 690 | 7.9 mi | 9m |
| West Genesee Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South State Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Halstead Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| University Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 61.1 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brighton, NY and Syracuse, NY.
1
Start on this road
177 ft
·
18 sec
·
this road
2
Turn sharp right onto Halstead Street
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
Halstead Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto North Winton Road
453 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Winton Road
4
Turn left onto University Avenue
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
University Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto NY 96
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 490 East
7
Merge onto I 490
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Eastern Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
9
Merge onto I 90
61 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
New York State Thruway
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 39
Toward I 690, NY 690: Syracuse, Fulton
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 690 East: Fairgrounds, Syracuse
12
Continue on I 690
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto NY 5
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Genesee Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on NY 5
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
James Street
17
Turn right onto NY 5
317 ft
·
11 sec
·
Oswego Boulevard
18
Continue on NY 5
524 ft
·
18 sec
·
Erie Boulevard East
19
Turn right onto US 11
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
South State Street
Use the straight lane.
20
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 1 hour and 41 minutes, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart at your leisure, perhaps after morning errands or before an afternoon appointment. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, budgeting is simple. There are no specified stops, so plan any breaks for gas or snacks based on your personal needs rather than a mandated point along the way. A key consideration for this route is the 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile; be sure to have your GPS or navigation set up to manage the transitions efficiently, especially as you approach Syracuse.
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 41.8 miles from Brighton, NY, or about 50m 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.8 miles or 50m 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 24m
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 Brighton, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brighton, NY
This is one driving day of about 83.7 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Brighton, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.8 miles from Brighton, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 82.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Halstead Street
Turn sharp right onto Halstead Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North Winton Road
At end of road, turn left onto North Winton Road
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
University Avenue
Turn left onto University Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
73.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m 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
8
82.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.78 one way
$27.56 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $14.90 | $29.80 |
| premium | $4.92 | $16.22 | $32.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.48 | $36.96 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.06
New York State Thruway
(61.1 mi)
$3.06
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
$14
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
17 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
EVolve NY Charging Station
Phelps, New York
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Waterloo, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Waterloo, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Waterloo, New York
Tesla
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Waterloo, New York
Electrify America
1 DCFC
Applegreen Electric Charging Station
Phelps, NY
Other
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Shortsville, New York
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Evolve Ny Charging Station
Camillus, New York
Other
1 DCFC
Other: 7
ChargePoint: 4
EV Connect: 3
Tesla: 1
Electrify America: 1
ViaLynk: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.79 | $4.02 |
| Efficient EV | 20.9 | 0 | $7.32 | $3.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.5 | 0 | $11.72 | $5.36 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Afternoon in Syracuse on Saturday
Local time
1:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Montezuma, NY
42 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
13 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
1h 41m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 43.3
View on nps.gov
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 54.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive' with 22% of the journey on highways. While there's a substantial 61.1-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway, the overall profile suggests a more varied experience than a pure interstate cruise. You'll likely encounter a mix of faster highway driving and more frequent turns as you navigate local roads, particularly at the beginning and end of your trip. Be prepared for changes in speed and road type, as the route transitions between the Thruway and other arteries like the Eastern Expressway and I-690.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 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?
9/10
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 early in the drive near Halstead Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.7 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Halstead Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.2 miles (North Winton Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (University Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Brighton, NY to Syracuse, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Fulton along the way.
Fulton
73.7 mi in
|
~1h 27m
About the Cities
Arriving in Syracuse, NY
Full guide →Founded 1848
Syracuse is a city in Central New York. With a population of 149,000 in city proper and 662,000 in its metro area (2020), Syracuse is the fifth largest city in the state of New York, and the third largest in Upstate New York.
Top landmarks
- • Oncenter War Memorial Arena — arena in Syracuse, New York
- • Everson Museum of Art — art museum in Syracuse, New York
- • Niagara Mohawk Building — historic commercial building in New York, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 83.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Brighton, NY to Syracuse, NY covers 83.7 miles and takes about 1h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, Eastern Expressway, I 690. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.8 miles from Brighton, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.78 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.7 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Halstead Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.2 miles (North Winton Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (University Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Brighton, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Syracuse, NY
More trips to Syracuse, NY
Explore more options from Brighton, NY or browse trips ending in Syracuse, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.