The drive from Elmhurst, NY to Canandaigua, NY covers 293.1 miles and takes about 6h 27m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway, US 11 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 73.8 miles on I 81.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.25 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
146.5 miles from Elmhurst, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 6m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 27m. Total distance: 293.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 27m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 27m highway drive covering 293.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 73.8 miles on I 81.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 63 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 73.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
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 44 significant decision points across 293.1 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 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 44 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
2.4 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, Greenpoint Avenue
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 35
Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Isla...
9
2.5 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 35W
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan
8
5.6 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Crosstown, 37th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Crosstown, 37th Street
7
7.1 mi into trip|~16m in|NY 495 / Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 495 / Lincoln Tunnel Expressway toward Lincoln Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Lincoln Tunnel
8
11 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Elmhurst, NY and Canandaigua, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah, Albany and Lisle.
Del Water Gap
32.1 mi in|~48m
Mahwah
32.4 mi in|~49m|via I 80W
Albany
182.6 mi in|~3h 49m|via I 81
Lisle
198.4 mi in|~4h 8m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
73.8 mi
1h 28m
Christopher Columbus Highway
44.6 mi
52m
US 11
30.6 mi
40m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
State Highway 96A
17.1 mi
23m
Routes 5 and 20
11.2 mi
17m
US 46
10.8 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 73.8 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elmhurst, NY and Canandaigua, NY.
1
Start on Grand Avenue
90 ft·7 sec·Grand Avenue
2
Turn left onto NY 25
1.2 mi·3 min·Queens Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, BrooklynUse the straight lane.
4
Merge onto I 278
0.7 mi·1 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 35Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, Greenpoint AvenueUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 35WToward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, ManhattanUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 495
1.4 mi·2 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
1.3 mi·2 min·Queens-Midtown Tunnel
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward Crosstown, 37th StreetUse the slight left lane.
10
Turn slight left onto East 37th Street
1.1 mi·3 min·East 37th Street
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the ramp
474 ft·11 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel
12
Turn right
342 ft·11 sec
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto NY 495
105 ft·4 sec·Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 495
3.7 mi·6 min·Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
Toward Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·29 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: SecaucusUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
453 ft·7 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: CliftonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto NJ 3
10 mi·12 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto US 46
11 mi·12 min·US 46
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
20
Continue on I 80W
1.6 mi·1 min·Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, MahwahUse the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water GapUse the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Merge onto I 80
45 mi·52 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
25
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
26
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
27
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
14 mi·16 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 8Toward NY 26 North: Whitney Point, Lisle
31
Turn right onto NY 26
0.5 mi·43 sec·NY 26
32
At end of road, turn left onto US 11; NY 26
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 11; NY 26
33
Continue on US 11; NY 79
31 mi·39 min·US 11; NY 79
34
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 79
0.1 mi·19 sec·Seneca Way
35
Continue on NY 79
0.9 mi·2 min·East Seneca Street
Use the straight lane.
36
Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard
338 ft·15 sec·Taughannock Boulevard
37
Turn left onto NY 96
0.2 mi·21 sec·West Buffalo Street
38
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·2 min·Cliff Street
39
Continue on NY 96
8.7 mi·12 min·Trumansburg Road
40
Continue on NY 96
1.4 mi·2 min·East Main Street
41
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi·11 sec·Trumansburg Road
42
Continue on NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 96
43
Turn right onto CR 141A
1.5 mi·2 min·Powell Road
44
Continue on CR 141
0.9 mi·1 min·County Road 141
45
Turn left onto NY 89
3.4 mi·4 min·State Highway 89
46
Turn left onto Center Road
1.4 mi·1 min·Center Road
47
Turn right onto NY 96
3.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 96
48
Continue on NY 96
485 ft·15 sec·North Town Line Road
49
Continue on NY 96A
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Street
50
Continue on NY 96A
17 mi·23 min·State Highway 96A
51
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.6 mi·2 min·Waterloo-Geneva Road
52
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.1 mi·1 min·Lake Front Drive
53
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.4 mi·3 min·Hamilton Street
54
Continue on US 20; NY 5
0.6 mi·1 min·Canandaigua Road
55
Continue on US 20; NY 5
11 mi·17 min·Routes 5 and 20
56
Continue on US 20; NY 5
2.0 mi·3 min·Eastern Boulevard
57
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; NY 5
1.0 mi·1 min·Western Boulevard
58
Turn right onto Middle Cheshire Road
0.2 mi·20 sec·Middle Cheshire Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
59
Turn right onto Parrish Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·Parrish Street
60
Turn right
350 ft·27 sec
61
At end of road, turn right
166 ft·12 sec
62
Turn right
41 ft·2 sec
63
Arrive at destination
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 146.5 miles from Elmhurst, NY, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.8 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 64 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.5 miles or 3h 6m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Canandaigua, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elmhurst, 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 Elmhurst, NY
This is one driving day of about 293.1 miles and 6h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Elmhurst, 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 73.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 146.5 mi from Elmhurst, NY
· 3h 6m into the drive
The midpoint is around 146.5 miles from Elmhurst, 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 73.8 miles.
Arriving in Canandaigua, NY
The final approach into Canandaigua, 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 Canandaigua, 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...
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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 10.1
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 10.1
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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 10.1
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 10.1
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 10.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.25 one way
$96.49 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$52.17
$104.34
premium
$4.92
$56.81
$113.62
diesel
$5.61
$64.71
$129.43
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: 102.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
60 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Denville, New Jersey
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Dover, New Jersey
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Blink
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Scranton, Pennsylvania
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Scranton, Pennsylvania
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Lynkwell Charging Station
Ithaca, New York
Other
1 DCFC
ChargeSmart EV Charging Station
Ithaca, New York
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Ithaca, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 31
Other: 10
EV Connect: 8
Blink: 3
Tesla: 3
ViaLynk: 2
Electrify America: 2
Tesla Destination: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.9
1
$30.78
$14.07
Efficient EV
73.3
0
$25.65
$11.72
EV Truck/SUV
117.2
1
$41.03
$18.76
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 15, 2026
Origin
Elmhurst, NY
Morning
in Elmhurst on Saturday
Local time
8:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Canandaigua, NY
Morning
in Canandaigua on Saturday
Local time
8:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°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
22 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
6h 27m 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 Elmhurst, NY to Canandaigua, NY covers 293.1 miles and takes about 6h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway, US 11. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 146.5 miles from Elmhurst, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.25 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 44 significant decision points across 293.1 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 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Elmhurst, NY and Canandaigua, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah, Albany and Lisle.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
