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Trip from Chestnut Ridge, NY to Albany, NY

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 53m

Distance

79.6 mi

128 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 45m ★
6 AM
1h 54m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 58m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

village in Rockland County, New York, United States

Chestnut Ridge, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Chestnut Ridge, NY to Albany, NY covers 79.6 miles and takes about 1h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on New York State Thruway, Taconic State Parkway, State Highway 82 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 27.6 miles on New York State Thruway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.10 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

39.8 miles from Chestnut Ridge, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 79.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (49%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

The drive from Chestnut Ridge, NY to Albany, NY covers 79.6 miles and takes about 1h 53m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 34 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 27.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 44.8 miles in near NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge.

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 79.6 miles you will encounter 20 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: at 44.8 miles (NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
44.8 mi into trip | ~1h 7m in | NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge

Enter roundabout onto NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill
7
48.8 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 87 North: Albany, Mass Turnpike

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 87 North: Albany, Mass Turnpike
8
76.6 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in

Take the exit toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy

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 23 Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy
8
78.5 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in

Take the exit toward US 9 North, US 20 West: Downtown Albany

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 4 Toward US 9 North, US 20 West: Downtown Albany
6
79.4 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in | NY 5 / Eagle Street

At end of road, turn right onto NY 5 / Eagle Street

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Chestnut Ridge, NY and Albany, NY, road signs point toward Hudson, Catskill, Nyst, Leeds and Mass Turnpike.

Hudson

34.2 mi in | ~53m

Catskill

44.8 mi in | ~1h 7m | via NY 23

Nyst

47.9 mi in | ~1h 13m

Leeds

47.9 mi in | ~1h 13m

Mass Turnpike

48.8 mi in | ~1h 15m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 27.6 mi 31m
Taconic State Parkway 22.6 mi 30m
State Highway 82 6.3 mi 8m
Albany Post Road 4.7 mi 6m
Chestnut Ridge Road 3.2 mi 7m
NY 343 3.2 mi 5m
NY 82 2.9 mi 4m
State Highway 23 1.8 mi 2m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 27.6 mi, about 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chestnut Ridge, NY and Albany, NY.

1

Start on CR 24

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Chestnut Ridge Road
2

Continue on CR 23

3.1 mi · 7 min · Chestnut Ridge Road
3

Turn left onto NY 343

2.9 mi · 5 min · NY 343
4

Continue on NY 343

0.2 mi · 28 sec · NY 343
5

Continue on NY 82

2.9 mi · 4 min · NY 82
6

Turn right onto NY 82

1.3 mi · 1 min · State Highway 82
7

Turn left onto CR 13

0.9 mi · 2 min · Clinton Corners Road
8

Turn left onto Hibernia Road

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Hibernia Road
9

Turn right onto Taconic State Parkway

23 mi · 30 min · Taconic State Parkway
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward NY 82: Ancram, Hudson
11

Keep slight right at fork

401 ft · 14 sec
12

Turn straight onto NY 82

5.0 mi · 6 min · State Highway 82
13

Continue on US 9; 23

0.2 mi · 14 sec · US 9; 23
14

Continue on US 9; NY 23

4.7 mi · 6 min · Albany Post Road
Use the straight lane.
15

Continue on NY 23

0.4 mi · 36 sec · Rhinebeck-Hudson Road
16

Enter roundabout onto NY 23

10 ft · 0 sec · Rip Van Winkle Bridge
Toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill
17

Continue on NY 23

1.3 mi · 2 min · Rip Van Winkle Bridge
Toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill
18

Continue on NY 23

1.8 mi · 2 min · State Highway 23
Use the left lane.
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward NYST, I 87: Jefferson Heights, Leeds
20

Turn right onto CR 23B

0.3 mi · 44 sec · CR 23B
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward NYST, I 87
22

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 28 sec · this road
23

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 87 North: Albany, Mass Turnpike
24

Merge onto I 87

28 mi · 31 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 50 sec
Exit 23 Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy Use the slight right lane.
26

Continue on I 787

1.6 mi · 2 min · I 787
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 4 Toward US 9 North, US 20 West: Downtown Albany Use the slight right lane.
28

Turn straight onto Quay Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Quay Street
29

Turn left onto NY 5

0.2 mi · 42 sec · NY 5
30

Turn left onto NY 5

0.3 mi · 51 sec · State Street
31

At end of road, turn right onto NY 5

182 ft · 5 sec · Eagle Street
32

Turn straight onto NY 5

498 ft · 19 sec · Washington Avenue
33

Turn left

30 ft · 2 sec
34

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 39.8 miles from Chestnut Ridge, NY, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.6 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 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 39.8 miles or 1h 1m 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 37m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Chestnut Ridge, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Chestnut Ridge, NY

This is one driving day of about 79.6 miles and 1h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Chestnut Ridge, 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 27.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 39.8 mi from Chestnut Ridge, NY · 1h 1m into the drive

town in Columbia County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ancram, NY

40 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

Millbrook, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Claverack, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.8 miles from Chestnut Ridge, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Albany, NY

The final approach into Albany, NY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.10 one way

$26.21 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $14.17 $28.34
premium $4.92 $15.43 $30.86
diesel $5.61 $17.57 $35.15

Estimated Tolls: $1.38

New York State Thruway (27.6 mi) $1.38

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

$13

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.9 0 $8.36 $3.82
Efficient EV 19.9 0 $6.96 $3.18
EV Truck/SUV 31.8 0 $11.14 $5.09

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (68% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Chestnut Ridge, NY

Afternoon in Chestnut Ridge on Thursday

Local time

4:29 PM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Albany, NY

Afternoon in Albany on Thursday

Local time

4:29 PM

EDT

Current temp

34°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

7 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 53m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Chestnut Ridge, NY to Albany, NY covers 79.6 miles and takes about 1h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, Taconic State Parkway, State Highway 82. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.8 miles from Chestnut Ridge, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.10 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 79.6 miles you will encounter 20 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: at 44.8 miles (NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Chestnut Ridge, NY and Albany, NY, road signs point toward Hudson, Catskill, Nyst, Leeds and Mass Turnpike.

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