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Trip from Dobbs Ferry, NY to Amherst, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 43m

Distance

364 mi

586 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$60

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
7h 34m ★
6 AM
7h 43m
8 AM
8h 2m
10 AM
7h 50m
12 PM
7h 48m
3 PM
7h 51m
5 PM
8h 1m
8 PM
7h 38m

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

village in Westchester County, New York, United States

Dobbs Ferry, NY

Wikimedia Commons

town in New York, United States

Amherst, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Dobbs Ferry, NY to Amherst, NY covers 364 miles and takes about 7h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Long Mountain Parkway, New York State Thruway, I 81 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 107.6 miles on Long Mountain Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $59.92 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

182 miles from Dobbs Ferry, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 50m into the drive .

About the Cities

Starting in Dobbs Ferry, NY

Full guide →

Dobbs Ferry is a village in Westchester County in the state of New York in the United States of America.

Arriving in Amherst, NY

Full guide →

Amherst is a town in the Northtowns of Erie County, New York.

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 7h 43m. Total distance: 364 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Drive Character

The drive from Dobbs Ferry, NY to Amherst, NY covers 364 miles and takes about 7h 43m, 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 46 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Long Mountain Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 107.6 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 11.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 33 significant decision points across 364 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 11.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 260.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 33 key points

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

8
11.7 mi into trip | ~20m in

Take the exit toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain

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 13N Toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain
7
260.3 mi into trip | ~5h 40m in

Take the ramp

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
260.5 mi into trip | ~5h 41m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 West: Buffalo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
7
360.7 mi into trip | ~7h 37m in

Take the exit toward I 290: Niagara Falls

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 50 Toward I 290: Niagara Falls
8
362.8 mi into trip | ~7h 40m in

Take the exit toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road

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 6 Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem R...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Dobbs Ferry, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward New York State Thruway and Albany.

New York State Thruway

27.2 mi in | ~38m

Albany

169 mi in | ~3h 34m | via I 81

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Long Mountain Parkway 107.6 mi 2h 15m
New York State Thruway 107.1 mi 2h 5m
I 81 39.3 mi 46m
NY 17 33.7 mi 40m
Palisades Interstate Parkway 14.9 mi 17m
Clinton Street 10.5 mi 15m
East Lake Road 9.9 mi 14m
Chase Street 9.8 mi 11m
Longest stretch: Long Mountain Parkway — 107.6 mi, about 2h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dobbs Ferry, NY and Amherst, NY.

1

Start on this road

52 ft · 5 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto Oak Street

82 ft · 5 sec · Oak Street
3

Turn left onto US 9

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Broadway
4

Continue on US 9

3.6 mi · 8 min · Broadway
Use the left lane.
5

Turn left

184 ft · 17 sec
Use the left lane.
6

Turn left

26 ft · 7 sec
7

Turn left

184 ft · 17 sec
8

Turn right onto US 9

385 ft · 10 sec · South Broadway
9

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 87 North, I 287 West: Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
10

Merge onto I 87; I 287

7.5 mi · 10 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 13N Toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway

15 mi · 17 min · Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Exit 18 Toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State Thruway
14

Enter roundabout onto US 6

375 ft · 5 sec · Long Mountain Parkway
15

Continue on US 6

108 mi · 2 hr 14 min · Long Mountain Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on NY 17

34 mi · 40 min · NY 17
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

37 mi · 43 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
19

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Exit 52 Toward NY 13: Cortland
20

Turn right onto NY 13

39 ft · 5 sec · Clinton Avenue
21

Turn left onto Locust Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · Locust Avenue
22

Continue on Albany Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Albany Street
23

At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
24

Turn left onto NY 41

10 mi · 15 min · Clinton Street
25

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road
26

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
27

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road
28

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 48 sec · East Lake Street
29

Turn left onto US 20

7.3 mi · 13 min · East Genesee Street
30

Turn right onto US 20

0.2 mi · 12 sec · North Fulton Street
31

Turn left onto US 20; NY 5

0.4 mi · 1 min · Arterial West
32

Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38

9.8 mi · 11 min · Chase Street
Use the left lane.
33

Continue on US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
34

Turn right onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318
35

Continue on NY 318

319 ft · 10 sec · NY 318
Use the right lane.
36

Turn right onto NY 414

0.3 mi · 28 sec · State Route 414
Use the right lane.
37

Continue on NY 414

217 ft · 11 sec · Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
38

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Use the left lane.
39

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo Use the straight / right lanes.
40

Merge onto I 90

100 mi · 1 hr 55 min · New York State Thruway
41

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 36 sec
Exit 50 Toward I 290: Niagara Falls Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42

Continue on I 290

1.8 mi · 2 min · Youngmann Expressway
43

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 6 Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44

Turn left onto NY 324

0.9 mi · 1 min · Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
45

Turn left onto NY 263

469 ft · 13 sec · Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
46

Arrive at destination

NY 263

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 182 miles from Dobbs Ferry, NY, or about 3h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.6 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 80 miles or 1h 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 182 miles or 3h 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 6h 32m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Dobbs Ferry, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Dobbs Ferry, NY

This is one driving day of about 364 miles and 7h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dobbs Ferry, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Long Mountain Parkway for about 107.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 182 mi from Dobbs Ferry, NY · 3h 50m into the drive

city in New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Poughkeepsie, NY

182 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.

Popular next leg

Poughkeepsie, NY to Amherst, NY

353.4 mi · 6h 58m

Pacing Suggestions

Poughkeepsie, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Endwell, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 182 miles from Dobbs Ferry, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Long Mountain Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 107.6 miles.

Arriving in Amherst, NY

The final approach into Amherst, 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 Amherst, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$59.92 one way

$119.83 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 127 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $64.79 $129.58
premium $4.92 $70.55 $141.10
diesel $5.61 $80.37 $160.73

Estimated Tolls: $5.36

New York State Thruway (107.1 mi) $5.36

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

$60

Tolls

$5

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$90–$115

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 127.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 109.2 1 $38.22 $17.47
Efficient EV 91 1 $31.85 $14.56
EV Truck/SUV 145.6 1 $50.96 $23.30

Gas CO2

127 kg

EV CO2

43 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 16, 2026

Origin

Dobbs Ferry, NY

Morning in Dobbs Ferry on Saturday

Local time

10:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Amherst, NY

Morning in Amherst on Saturday

Local time

10:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°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

2 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

7h 43m 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 Dobbs Ferry, NY to Amherst, NY covers 364 miles and takes about 7h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Long Mountain Parkway, New York State Thruway, I 81. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 182 miles from Dobbs Ferry, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.92 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 2 meaningful breaks 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 33 significant decision points across 364 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 11.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 260.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Between Dobbs Ferry, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward New York State Thruway and Albany.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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