The drive from Canandaigua, NY to Elmhurst, NY covers 294.2 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 81, Keystone Shortway, I 380 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 73.5 miles on I 81.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.43 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
147.1 miles from Canandaigua, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 23m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 32m. Total distance: 294.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 32m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 6h 32m drive with frequent turns across 294.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 72 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 73.5 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 115 miles in near I 81.
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 45 significant decision points across 294.2 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 115 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 268.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 45 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
115 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
168.4 mi into trip|~3h 48m 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
268.3 mi into trip|~5h 48m in
Take the exit toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel
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 53
Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunn...
8
285 mi into trip|~6h 9m in
Take the ramp toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York City
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York City
8
290.8 mi into trip|~6h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 278: Staten Island, Bronx, LaGuardia Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 17W-E
Toward I 278: Staten Island, Bronx, LaGuardia A...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Canandaigua, NY and Elmhurst, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Clifton.
Mt Pocono
168.4 mi in|~3h 48m|via US 6
Milford
169.1 mi in|~3h 49m|via I 84; I 380
Clifton
268.3 mi in|~5h 48m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
73.5 mi
1h 28m
Keystone Shortway
70.8 mi
1h 27m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
State Highway 96A
17.1 mi
23m
State Highway 79
15.2 mi
17m
Routes 5 and 20
11.2 mi
17m
Slaterville Road
11.1 mi
16m
NJ 3
10.5 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 73.5 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Canandaigua, NY and Elmhurst, NY.
1
Start on this road
41 ft·3 sec·this road
2
Turn right
114 ft·8 sec
3
Turn right
350 ft·31 sec
4
Turn left onto Parrish Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·Parrish Street
5
Turn left onto Middle Cheshire Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·Middle Cheshire Road
6
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5; NY 21
1.0 mi·1 min·Western Boulevard
7
Continue on US 20; NY 5
2.0 mi·3 min·Eastern Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 20; NY 5
11 mi·17 min·Routes 5 and 20
9
Continue on US 20; NY 5
0.6 mi·1 min·Canandaigua Road
10
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.4 mi·3 min·Hamilton Street
11
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.1 mi·1 min·Lake Front Drive
12
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.6 mi·2 min·Waterloo-Geneva Road
13
Turn right onto NY 96A
10 mi·14 min·State Highway 96A
14
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 96A
6.7 mi·9 min·State Highway 96A
15
Continue on NY 96A
0.2 mi·26 sec·North Street
16
Continue on NY 96
485 ft·13 sec·North Town Line Road
17
Continue on NY 96
3.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 96
18
Turn left onto Center Road
1.4 mi·1 min·Center Road
19
Turn right onto NY 89
3.4 mi·4 min·State Highway 89
20
Turn right onto CR 141
0.9 mi·1 min·County Road 141
21
Continue on CR 141A
1.5 mi·2 min·Powell Road
22
Turn left onto NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 96
23
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi·11 sec·Trumansburg Road
24
Continue on NY 96
1.4 mi·2 min·West Main Street
25
Continue on NY 96
8.7 mi·12 min·Trumansburg Road
26
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·2 min·Cliff Street
27
Continue on NY 96
0.2 mi·22 sec·West Buffalo Street
28
Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard
523 ft·24 sec·Taughannock Boulevard
29
Turn left onto NY 79
510 ft·11 sec·West State Street
30
Turn right onto NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79
345 ft·12 sec·South Fulton Street
Use the right lane.
31
Turn left onto NY 79
0.8 mi·2 min·West Green Street
Use the slight left lane.
32
Continue on NY 79
1.1 mi·2 min·East State Street
33
Continue on NY 79
11 mi·16 min·Slaterville Road
34
Continue on NY 79
15 mi·17 min·State Highway 79
35
Continue on NY 79
3.1 mi·3 min·Main Street
36
Turn right onto NY 26
0.6 mi·47 sec·NY 26
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 81 South
38
Merge onto I 81
20 mi·24 min·I 81
39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
40
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
42
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
43
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
44
Merge onto I 80
71 mi·1 hr 27 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
45
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 53Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln TunnelUse the slight right lane.
46
Merge onto US 46
2.1 mi·2 min·US 46
47
Continue on US 46
1.6 mi·1 min·US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
48
Turn slight left onto NJ 3
11 mi·11 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel, Kennedy BoulevardUse the straight / right lanes.
50
Merge onto NJ 495
1.1 mi·1 min·NJ 495
51
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Weehawken, Hoboken, Ferries to New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Continue on South Marginal Highway
0.1 mi·10 sec·South Marginal Highway
53
Turn right onto Boulevard East
0.4 mi·1 min·Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
54
Take the ramp
123 ft·14 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York CityUse the straight / right lanes.
55
Turn right
0.2 mi·57 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel access
56
Merge onto NJ 495
1.6 mi·4 min·Lincoln Tunnel
57
Keep slight right at fork
265 ft·6 sec
Toward Dyer Avenue
58
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft·8 sec
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square Garden
59
Continue on Dyer Avenue
350 ft·19 sec·Dyer Avenue
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square GardenUse the left / straight lanes.
60
Turn left onto West 36th Street
1.3 mi·3 min·West 36th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
61
Take the ramp
68 ft·1 sec
Toward I 495: Queens-Midtown Tunnel
62
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
2.5 mi·4 min·I 495
63
Take the exit
0.6 mi·58 sec
Exit 17W-EToward I 278: Staten Island, Bronx, LaGuardia AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
64
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 495 Alternate: Maurice Avenue
65
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward Maurice AvenueUse the slight right lane.
66
Turn straight onto Borden Avenue
285 ft·16 sec·Borden Avenue
67
Turn left onto Maurice Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Maurice Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
68
Continue on Maurice Avenue
222 ft·8 sec·Maurice Avenue
69
Continue on 51st Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·51st Avenue
70
Turn slight right onto Queens Boulevard
0.3 mi·57 sec·Queens Boulevard
71
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
42 ft·1 sec·Grand Avenue
72
Arrive at destination
Grand Avenue
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 147.1 miles from Canandaigua, NY, or about 3h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.5 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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.1 miles or 3h 23m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elmhurst, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Canandaigua, 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 Canandaigua, NY
This is one driving day of about 294.2 miles and 6h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Canandaigua, 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 81 for about 73.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 147.1 mi from Canandaigua, NY
· 3h 23m into the drive
The midpoint is around 147.1 miles from Canandaigua, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.5 miles.
Arriving in Elmhurst, NY
The final approach into Elmhurst, 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 Elmhurst, NY.
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.
Stonewall National Monument
National Monument
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 284.1
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 284.1
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 284.1
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 284.1
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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 284.1
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 284.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.43 one way
$96.85 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$52.37
$104.73
premium
$4.92
$57.02
$114.04
diesel
$5.61
$64.96
$129.91
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Lincoln Tunnel
$16.00
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
$48
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.3
1
$30.89
$14.12
Efficient EV
73.6
0
$25.74
$11.77
EV Truck/SUV
117.7
1
$41.19
$18.83
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Canandaigua, NY
Morning
in Canandaigua on Friday
Local time
7:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Elmhurst, NY
Morning
in Elmhurst on Friday
Local time
7:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Partly Sunny
S 12 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 5:26PM EDT until April 16 at 6:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
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
50 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 Canandaigua, NY to Elmhurst, NY covers 294.2 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 81, Keystone Shortway, I 380. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 147.1 miles from Canandaigua, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.43 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 45 significant decision points across 294.2 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 115 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 268.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Canandaigua, NY and Elmhurst, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Clifton.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Stonewall National Monument, African Burial Ground National Monument and Castle Clinton National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
