The drive from Clifton Park, NY to Syracuse, NY covers 138.7 miles and takes about 2h 54m 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, I 690, NY 146 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 113.9 miles on New York State Thruway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.83 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
69.4 miles from Clifton Park, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 54m. Total distance: 138.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 54m drive with frequent turns across 138.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 28 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 113.9 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 129.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 138.7 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 129.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
129.8 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 481: Syracuse, Oswego
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 34A
Toward I 481: Syracuse, Oswego
7
133.4 mi into trip|~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 690 West: Syracuse, Fairgrounds
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 690 West: Syracuse, Fairgrounds
8
138.1 mi into trip|~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward Townsend Street, Downtown
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 13
Toward Townsend Street, Downtown
7
138.4 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|North Townsend Street
Turn left onto North Townsend Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
138.6 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|US 11 / South State Street
Turn left onto US 11 / South State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clifton Park, NY and Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Oswego, Fairgrounds and Binghamton.
Oswego
129.8 mi in|~2h 40m
Fairgrounds
130.6 mi in|~2h 42m
Binghamton
130.6 mi in|~2h 42m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
113.9 mi
2h 11m
I 690
4.1 mi
5m
NY 146
3.5 mi
5m
Vley Road
2.7 mi
5m
State Highway 146
2.6 mi
4m
Glenridge Road
2.3 mi
4m
I 481
2.3 mi
2m
Saratoga Road
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 113.9 mi, about 2h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton Park, NY and Syracuse, NY.
1
Start on Old Route 146
75 ft·5 sec·Old Route 146
2
Turn right onto US 9
0.1 mi·16 sec·Halfmoon Parkway
3
Turn slight right
417 ft·16 sec
4
Turn straight onto NY 146
2.6 mi·4 min·State Highway 146
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Enter roundabout onto NY 146
120 ft·2 sec·NY 146
6
Continue on NY 146
3.5 mi·5 min·NY 146
7
Continue on Glenridge Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Glenridge Road
8
Enter roundabout onto Glenridge Road
86 ft·2 sec·Glenridge Road
9
Continue on Glenridge Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Glenridge Road
10
Turn left onto NY 50
1.5 mi·2 min·Saratoga Road
11
Turn straight onto NY 50
1.3 mi·2 min·Ballston Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on NY 50
416 ft·12 sec·North Ballston Avenue
13
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.3 mi·52 sec·5th Street
Use the right lane.
14
Turn right onto Vley Road
2.7 mi·5 min·Vley Road
15
Continue on NY 890
0.5 mi·41 sec·NY 890
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·53 sec
Toward I 90
17
Turn straight
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 90 West
18
Merge onto I 90
114 mi·2 hr 11 min·New York State Thruway
19
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 34AToward I 481: Syracuse, OswegoUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 481 South: Syracuse, Fairgrounds, Binghamton
21
Merge onto I 481
2.3 mi·2 min·I 481
22
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 690 West: Syracuse, FairgroundsUse the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on I 690
4.1 mi·5 min·I 690
Use the straight lane.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·41 sec
Exit 13Toward Townsend Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn left onto North Townsend Street
501 ft·16 sec·North Townsend Street
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right onto East Water Street
479 ft·16 sec·East Water Street
27
Turn left onto US 11
0.2 mi·20 sec·South State Street
Use the straight lane.
28
Arrive at destination
US 11
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.4 miles from Clifton Park, NY, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.9 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 31 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.4 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 22m
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 Clifton Park, 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 Clifton Park, NY
This is one driving day of about 138.7 miles and 2h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Clifton Park, 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 New York State Thruway for about 113.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69.4 mi from Clifton Park, NY
· 1h 30m into the drive
The midpoint is around 75.7 miles from Clifton Park, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Syracuse, NY
The final approach into Syracuse, 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 Syracuse, 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.
Fort Stanwix National Monument
National Monument
For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes. When Eur...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 100.5
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 138.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.83 one way
$45.66 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$24.69
$49.38
premium
$4.92
$26.88
$53.77
diesel
$5.61
$30.62
$61.25
Estimated Tolls: $5.69
New York State Thruway
(113.9 mi)$5.69
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
$23
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.6
0
$14.56
$6.66
Efficient EV
34.7
0
$12.14
$5.55
EV Truck/SUV
55.5
0
$19.42
$8.88
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Clifton Park, NY
Afternoon
in Clifton Park on Friday
Local time
2:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Afternoon
in Syracuse on Friday
Local time
2:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy
NW 6 mph21% chanceLive 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
19 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
2h 54m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clifton Park, NY to Syracuse, NY covers 138.7 miles and takes about 2h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, I 690, NY 146. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 69.4 miles from Clifton Park, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.83 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 138.7 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 129.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Clifton Park, NY and Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Oswego, Fairgrounds and Binghamton.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
