The drive from Bristol, NY to Yonkers, NY covers 295.3 miles and takes about 6h 32m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 86, I 81, State Highway 96A for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 129.9 miles on I 86.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.61 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
147.7 miles from Bristol, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 27m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 32m. Total distance: 295.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 32m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 32m highway drive covering 295.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 86 and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 129.9 miles on I 86.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 51 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 I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 122.4 miles in near I 86; NY 17.
Driving Effort10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 295.3 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 122.4 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 275.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 285.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
122.4 mi into trip|~2h 56m 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
275.1 mi into trip|~6h 4m 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
285.8 mi into trip|~6h 19m 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
294 mi into trip|~6h 30m 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
295.3 mi into trip|~6h 32m 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 Bristol, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward New York, Palisades Interstate Parkway South, White Plains and New York State Thruway South.
New York
122.4 mi in|~2h 56m|via I 86; NY 17
Palisades Interstate Parkway South
259.4 mi in|~5h 45m
White Plains
275.1 mi in|~6h 4m
New York State Thruway South
275.1 mi in|~6h 4m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
129.9 mi
2h 40m
I 81
20.1 mi
24m
State Highway 96A
17.1 mi
23m
State Highway 79
15.2 mi
17m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
15.1 mi
17m
Routes 5 and 20
11.2 mi
17m
Slaterville Road
11.1 mi
16m
New York State Thruway
10.2 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 129.9 mi, about 2h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bristol, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on CR 2
1.6 mi·3 min·County Road 2
2
Continue on Fisher Hill Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Fisher Hill Road
3
Turn left onto CR 32
3.9 mi·5 min·Bristol Road
4
Turn right onto US 20; NY 5; NY 21
1.6 mi·2 min·US 20; NY 5; NY 21
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on US 20; NY 5
2.0 mi·3 min·Eastern Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 20; NY 5
11 mi·17 min·Routes 5 and 20
7
Continue on US 20; NY 5
0.6 mi·1 min·Canandaigua Road
8
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.4 mi·3 min·Hamilton Street
9
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.1 mi·1 min·Lake Front Drive
10
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.6 mi·2 min·Waterloo-Geneva Road
11
Turn right onto NY 96A
10 mi·14 min·State Highway 96A
12
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 96A
6.7 mi·9 min·State Highway 96A
13
Continue on NY 96A
0.2 mi·26 sec·North Street
14
Continue on NY 96
485 ft·13 sec·North Town Line Road
15
Continue on NY 96
3.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 96
16
Turn left onto Center Road
1.4 mi·1 min·Center Road
17
Turn right onto NY 89
3.4 mi·4 min·State Highway 89
18
Turn right onto CR 141
0.9 mi·1 min·County Road 141
19
Continue on CR 141A
1.5 mi·2 min·Powell Road
20
Turn left onto NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 96
21
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi·11 sec·Trumansburg Road
22
Continue on NY 96
1.4 mi·2 min·West Main Street
23
Continue on NY 96
8.7 mi·12 min·Trumansburg Road
24
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·2 min·Cliff Street
25
Continue on NY 96
0.2 mi·22 sec·West Buffalo Street
26
Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard
523 ft·24 sec·Taughannock Boulevard
27
Turn left onto NY 79
510 ft·11 sec·West State Street
28
Turn right onto NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79
345 ft·12 sec·South Fulton Street
Use the right lane.
29
Turn left onto NY 79
0.8 mi·2 min·West Green Street
Use the slight left lane.
30
Continue on NY 79
1.1 mi·2 min·East State Street
31
Continue on NY 79
11 mi·16 min·Slaterville Road
32
Continue on NY 79
15 mi·17 min·State Highway 79
33
Continue on NY 79
3.1 mi·3 min·Main Street
34
Turn right onto NY 26
0.6 mi·47 sec·NY 26
35
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 81 South
36
Merge onto I 81
20 mi·24 min·I 81
37
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.
38
Take the exit onto US 6
7.1 mi·9 min·US 6
Exit 130AToward US 6: Bear Mountain
39
Enter roundabout
346 ft·4 sec
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
40
Continue
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
41
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
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.
43
Merge onto I 87; I 287
9.2 mi·12 min·New York State Thruway
44
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
1.0 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 7AToward Saw Mill River Parkway SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi·10 min·Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
47
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward West Yonkers AvenueUse the slight right lane.
48
Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Yonkers Avenue
49
Continue on Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi·57 sec·Nepperhan Avenue
50
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A
229 ft·5 sec·South Broadway
Use the left lane.
51
Arrive at destination
US 9; NY 9A
Trip Plan
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 147.7 miles from Bristol, NY, or about 3h 27m 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 65 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.7 miles or 3h 27m 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 23m
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 Bristol, 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 Bristol, NY
This is one driving day of about 295.3 miles and 6h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Bristol, 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.
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 147.7 mi from Bristol, NY
· 3h 27m into the drive
The midpoint is around 147.7 miles from Bristol, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.9 miles.
Arriving in Yonkers, NY
The final approach into Yonkers, 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 Yonkers, NY.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 30.5
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 295.3
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 295.3
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 295.3
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 295.3
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 295.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.61 one way
$97.22 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$52.56
$105.12
premium
$4.92
$57.23
$114.47
diesel
$5.61
$65.20
$130.40
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
$49
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.6
1
$31.01
$14.17
Efficient EV
73.8
0
$25.84
$11.81
EV Truck/SUV
118.1
1
$41.34
$18.90
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 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 15, 2026
Origin
Bristol, NY
Evening
in Bristol on Thursday
Local time
6:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Evening
in Yonkers on Thursday
Local time
6:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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
6h 32m 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 Bristol, NY to Yonkers, NY covers 295.3 miles and takes about 6h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 86, I 81, State Highway 96A. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 147.7 miles from Bristol, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.61 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 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 demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 295.3 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 122.4 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 275.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 285.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Bristol, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward New York, Palisades Interstate Parkway South, White Plains and New York State Thruway South.
