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Trip from East Meadow, 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

8h 23m

Distance

398.9 mi

642 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$66

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
8h 16m ★
6 AM
8h 23m
8 AM
8h 38m
10 AM
8h 29m
12 PM
8h 27m
3 PM
8h 29m
5 PM
8h 38m
8 PM
8h 19m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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hamlet and census-designated place in Nassau County, New York, United States

East Meadow, NY

Wikimedia Commons

town in New York, United States

Amherst, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from East Meadow, NY to Amherst, NY covers 398.9 miles and takes about 8h 23m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on New York State Thruway, I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.6 miles on New York State Thruway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $65.66 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

199.4 miles from East Meadow, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 99.6 mi 1h 55m
I 81 97.3 mi 1h 55m
Christopher Columbus Highway 68.2 mi 1h 20m
I 380 27.7 mi 30m
Keystone Shortway 17.3 mi 24m
Clinton Street 10.5 mi 15m
East Lake Road 9.9 mi 14m
Chase Street 9.8 mi 11m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 99.6 mi, about 1h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Meadow, NY and Amherst, NY.

1

Start on this road

75 ft · 9 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto East Meadow Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Meadow Avenue
3

Turn left onto NY 102

4.2 mi · 7 min · Front Street
Use the left lane.
4

Turn slight left onto NY 24

2.0 mi · 3 min · Hempstead Turnpike
5

Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road

0.4 mi · 53 sec · New Hyde Park Road
6

Turn left onto Tulip Avenue

2.0 mi · 3 min · Tulip Avenue
Use the left lane.
7

Turn left onto NY 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · Jamaica Avenue
8

Turn slight right onto NY 25

1.2 mi · 2 min · Braddock Avenue
9

Turn left onto NY 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hillside Avenue
10

Turn right onto I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway
Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck Bridge Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
12

Continue on I 295

0.7 mi · 1 min · Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 295

6.6 mi · 8 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
15

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.6 mi · 59 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
16

Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

0.5 mi · 48 sec · I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

0.6 mi · 39 sec · I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 95 EXPR; NJTP
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
21

Merge onto I 95; NJTP

2.0 mi · 2 min · New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 69 Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Continue on I 80

68 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway
26

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec
Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton
27

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380
Use the straight lane.
28

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81
Use the straight lane.
29

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
30

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

37 mi · 43 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
31

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Exit 52 Toward NY 13: Cortland
32

Turn right onto NY 13

39 ft · 5 sec · Clinton Avenue
33

Turn left onto Locust Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · Locust Avenue
34

Continue on Albany Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Albany Street
35

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

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
36

Turn left onto NY 41

10 mi · 15 min · Clinton Street
37

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road
38

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
39

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road
40

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 48 sec · East Lake Street
41

Turn left onto US 20

7.3 mi · 13 min · East Genesee Street
42

Turn right onto US 20

0.2 mi · 12 sec · North Fulton Street
43

Turn left onto US 20; NY 5

0.4 mi · 1 min · Arterial West
44

Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38

9.8 mi · 11 min · Chase Street
Use the left lane.
45

Continue on US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
46

Turn right onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318
47

Continue on NY 318

319 ft · 10 sec · NY 318
Use the right lane.
48

Turn right onto NY 414

0.3 mi · 28 sec · State Route 414
Use the right lane.
49

Continue on NY 414

217 ft · 11 sec · Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
50

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Use the left lane.
51

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo Use the straight / right lanes.
52

Merge onto I 90

100 mi · 1 hr 55 min · New York State Thruway
53

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 36 sec
Exit 50 Toward I 290: Niagara Falls Use the straight / slight right lanes.
54

Continue on I 290

1.8 mi · 2 min · Youngmann Expressway
55

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.
56

Turn left onto NY 324

0.9 mi · 1 min · Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
57

Turn left onto NY 263

469 ft · 13 sec · Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
58

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 199.4 miles from East Meadow, NY, or about 4h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 88 miles or 1h 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 199.4 miles or 4h 9m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 199.4 miles or 4h 9m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 12m

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 East Meadow, 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.

+

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from East Meadow, NY

Aim for roughly 199 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Amherst, NY

Aim for roughly 199 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from East Meadow, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 99.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Ramapo, NY

199 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Ramapo, NY

Overnight Options

Night 1

Ramapo, NY

199 mi · about 4.2h in

A practical overnight split lands near Ramapo, NY after about 199 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 88 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vestal, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 199.4 miles from East Meadow, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.6 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 199 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Rumba Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Leonia, New Jersey

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 28.5

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12013630008

Hapgoods Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

1.4 mi

Bosphorus Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey

2.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Englewood, New Jersey

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 28.5

Hours: Closed

+12015675111

Visit website

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

2.3 mi

Rumba Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 28.5

Leonia, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12013630008

Hapgoods Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 57

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19732993399

Visit website

Bosphorus Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 57

Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+19733359690

Visit website

Fasil Mediterranean Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 57

Boonton, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19739173334

Visit website

Cafe HESED

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.5

Little Ferry, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+12018706071

Visit website

Mocha Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.5

Bronx, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13472027123

Visit website

Park Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 28.5

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15167490697

An Beal Bocht Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.5

Bronx, New York

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+17188847127

Visit website

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 28.5

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12015675111

Visit website

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.5

New York, New York

+19172614093

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.5

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 28.5

South Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12014265898

Visit website

Cafe Amrita

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.5

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+12122220683

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 199.4

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 313.4

Clifton Springs, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 57

Denville, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 370.4

Batavia, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 370.4

Corfu, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 313.4

Shortsville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 398.9

Williamsville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 370.4

Batavia, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Fort Lee Historic Park, Palisades Interstate Park Commission

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 28.5

Fort Lee, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–4:45 pm

+12014611776

Visit website

Ross Dock Picnic Area

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 28.5

Fort Lee, New Jersey

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+12017681360

Visit website

Firemen's Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 28.5

Fort Lee, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12015923750

Visit website

Overpeck County Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 28.5

Leonia, New Jersey

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+12013367275

Visit website

Eisenhower Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

East Meadow, New York

+15165720348

Visit website

Veterans Memorial Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 57

Parsippany, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+19732637254

Visit website

Overpeck Park Playground

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 28.5

Ridgefield Park, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

J. Hood Wright Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 28.5

New York, NY

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 37

5 decision points cluster between mile 11.6 and 397.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
11.6 mi into trip | ~21m in | I 295 / Clearview Expressway

Turn right onto I 295 / Clearview Expressway toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck Bridge

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Throu...
8
28.5 mi into trip | ~44m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

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. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
28.7 mi into trip | ~44m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
31.1 mi into trip | ~47m in

Take the exit toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack

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 69 Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
8
397.7 mi into trip | ~8h 20m 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...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$65.66 one way

$131.32 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 140 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $71.00 $142.00
premium $4.92 $77.31 $154.63
diesel $5.61 $88.07 $176.14

Estimated Tolls: $27.95

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55
New York State Thruway (99.6 mi) $4.98
New Jersey Turnpike (2 mi) $0.28
Hempstead Turnpike (2 mi) $0.14

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

$66

Tolls

$28

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$224–$334

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 139.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 119.7 1 $41.88 $19.15
Efficient EV 99.7 1 $34.90 $15.96
EV Truck/SUV 159.6 1 $55.85 $25.53

Gas CO2

140 kg

EV CO2

47 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 14, 2026

Origin

East Meadow, NY

Afternoon in East Meadow on Saturday

Local time

2:27 PM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Amherst, NY

Afternoon in Amherst on Saturday

Local time

2:27 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SE 1 to 6 mph 23% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:26AM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

49°F

Ramapo, NY

199 mi in

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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

6 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

8h 23m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 27.5
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 27.5
View on nps.gov
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 275.1
View on nps.gov
Women's Rights National Historical Park

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...

6 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 288.8
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

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...

9 mi from route ~21 min detour Free near mile 27.5
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 27.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

398.9 mi in 8h 23m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 39% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
58 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 mi on New York State Thruway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 11.6 miles in near I 295 / Clearview Expressway.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 37 significant decision points across 398.9 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 11.6 miles (I 295 / Clearview Expressway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between East Meadow, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Hackensack and Albany.

Upper Level

26 mi in | ~40m | via I 95; US 1

Njtp South: Hackensack

28.5 mi in | ~44m

Hackensack

31.1 mi in | ~47m

Albany

203.8 mi in | ~4h 14m | via I 81

About the Cities

Starting in East Meadow, NY

Full guide →

Arriving in Amherst, NY

Full guide →

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

Top landmarks

  • • Entranceway at Main Street at Roycroft Boulevard — residential landscape feature in Amherst, New York state, USA
  • • Entranceways at Main Street at Lamarck Drive and Smallwood Drive — residential landscape feature in Amherst, New York state, USA

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Solo Traveler

8h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 99.6 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 199 miles on day one.

Expect about $27.95 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Amherst, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 11.6 miles (I 295 / Clearview Expressway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 8.4 hours each way, a round trip means 16.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Amherst, NY before the return drive.

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.

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