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Trip from Gates, NY to Amherst, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 54m

Distance

286.7 mi

461 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 41m ★
6 AM
5h 54m
8 AM
6h 20m
10 AM
6h 3m
12 PM
6h 1m
3 PM
6h 5m
5 PM
6h 19m
8 PM
5h 47m

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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Downtown Gates, NY, NY

Gates, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

town in New York, United States

Amherst, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Gates, NY to Amherst, NY covers 286.7 miles and takes about 5h 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, Amsterdam Road, State Highway 67 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 246 miles on New York State Thruway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.19 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

143.4 miles from Gates, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 7m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 54m. Total distance: 286.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 5h 54m drive with frequent turns across 286.7 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 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 246 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 11.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

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 286.7 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 11.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 16.1 miles (Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 16.4 miles (Charlton Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

5
11.2 mi into trip | ~20m in

Take the exit toward US 9 North: Saratoga Springs

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 13N Toward US 9 North: Saratoga Springs
5
16.1 mi into trip | ~29m in | Front Street

Turn right onto Front Street

Navigation decision point

5
16.4 mi into trip | ~29m in | Charlton Street

Keep slight left at fork onto Charlton Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

7
283.3 mi into trip | ~5h 48m 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
285.5 mi into trip | ~5h 51m 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...

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 246 mi 4h 44m
Amsterdam Road 12.6 mi 17m
State Highway 67 4.7 mi 7m
Route 29 4 mi 5m
Malta Avenue 3.5 mi 6m
Adirondack Northway 3.3 mi 3m
Youngmann Expressway 1.8 mi 2m
Church Street 1.4 mi 4m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 246 mi, about 4h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Burgoyne Road

1.3 mi · 5 min · Burgoyne Road
2

Turn right onto Bryant Bridge Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Bryant Bridge Road
3

Turn left onto NY 29

4.0 mi · 5 min · Route 29
4

Continue on NY 29

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lake Avenue
5

Turn left onto Henning Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Henning Road
6

Turn left onto NY 9P

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Union Avenue
7

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 58 sec
8

Merge onto I 87

3.3 mi · 3 min · Adirondack Northway
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 13N Toward US 9 North: Saratoga Springs
10

Turn straight onto US 9

378 ft · 11 sec · US 9
11

Continue on US 9

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 9
12

Turn right onto CR 63

3.5 mi · 6 min · Malta Avenue
13

Turn left onto NY 50

328 ft · 13 sec · Milton Avenue
14

Turn right onto Front Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Front Street
15

Keep slight left at fork onto Charlton Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Charlton Street
16

Turn right onto NY 67

0.3 mi · 34 sec · West High Street
17

Continue on NY 67

13 mi · 17 min · Amsterdam Road
18

Continue on NY 67

4.5 mi · 7 min · State Highway 67
19

Continue on NY 67

1.4 mi · 4 min · Church Street
20

Continue on NY 67

0.2 mi · 24 sec · State Highway 67
21

Continue on NY 67

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Market Street
22

Turn left onto NY 30; NY 67

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Pearl Street
23

Continue on NY 30

381 ft · 10 sec · East Main Street
24

Continue on NY 30

0.9 mi · 1 min · State Highway 30
25

Turn left

398 ft · 11 sec
26

Continue on this road

525 ft · 14 sec · this road
27

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 West
28

Merge onto I 90

246 mi · 4 hr 44 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight lane.
29

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 36 sec
Exit 50 Toward I 290: Niagara Falls Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Continue on I 290

1.8 mi · 2 min · Youngmann Expressway
31

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.
32

Turn left onto NY 324

0.9 mi · 1 min · Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
33

Turn left onto NY 263

469 ft · 13 sec · Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
34

Arrive at destination

NY 263

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 143.4 miles from Gates, NY, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 246 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 63 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 143.4 miles or 3h 7m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 53m

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 Gates, 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 Gates, NY

This is one driving day of about 286.7 miles and 5h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Gates, 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 246 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 143.4 mi from Gates, NY · 3h 7m into the drive

village in Oneida County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Whitesboro, NY

143 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

Johnstown, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Camden, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 143.4 miles from Gates, 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 246 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Fort Stanwix National Monument

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...

6 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 108.7
View on nps.gov
Saratoga National Historical Park

Saratoga National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free
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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 187.8
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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 168.1
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$47.19 one way

$94.39 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 100 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $51.03 $102.06
premium $4.92 $55.57 $111.14
diesel $5.61 $63.30 $126.60

Estimated Tolls: $12.30

New York State Thruway (246 mi) $12.30

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

$47

Tolls

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$84–$109

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 100.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 86 1 $30.10 $13.76
Efficient EV 71.7 0 $25.09 $11.47
EV Truck/SUV 114.7 1 $40.14 $18.35

Gas CO2

100 kg

EV CO2

34 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

Gates, NY

Morning in Gates on Friday

Local time

9:33 AM

EDT

Current temp

26°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Amherst, NY

Morning in Amherst on Friday

Local time

9:33 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

39°F

Whitesboro, NY

143 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.

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

18 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

5h 54m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Gates, NY to Amherst, NY covers 286.7 miles and takes about 5h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are New York State Thruway, Amsterdam Road, State Highway 67. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 143.4 miles from Gates, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.19 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

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 18 significant decision points across 286.7 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 11.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 16.1 miles (Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 16.4 miles (Charlton Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

The route from Gates, NY to Amherst, NY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Fort Stanwix National Monument, Saratoga National Historical Park and Women's Rights National Historical Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.

How this page is built

Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. National park proximity is from the NPS API. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.

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