This 373.3-mile drive from Harrison, NY, to Amherst, NY, will take approximately 7 hours and 52 minutes, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. You'll primarily travel on the New York State Thruway and I-81, with a shorter section on Long Mountain Parkway. With a projected fuel cost of $61, this route offers a direct path across New York State. While it's a single-day journey, the duration means an early start is recommended to avoid feeling rushed. This trip stays within the Northeast region, connecting two points within New York.
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
186.6 miles from Harrison, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 54m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 52m. Total distance: 373.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 58% of your journey on highways. The majority of your time will be spent on the New York State Thruway, which includes the longest uninterrupted stretch of 108.4 miles. This highway-centric profile suggests periods of steady cruising, punctuated by transitions onto other major roadways like I-81. While not overly technical, the mix of high-speed sections and potential for traffic can make for a varied driving experience.
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.
New York State Thruway is the longest continuous segment at about 108.4 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 3.7 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 30 significant decision points across 373.3 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 3.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 269.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 30 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
3.7 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward I 287 West: White Plains
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 15B
Toward I 287 West: White Plains
8
20.9 mi into trip|~29m 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
269.5 mi into trip|~5h 50m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
269.7 mi into trip|~5h 50m 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
8
372.1 mi into trip|~7h 50m 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 Harrison, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain, New York State Thruway and Albany.
Palisades Parkway North
20.9 mi in|~29m
Bear Mountain
20.9 mi in|~29m
New York State Thruway
36.5 mi in|~48m
Albany
178.2 mi in|~3h 44m|via I 81
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
108.4 mi
2h 7m
Long Mountain Parkway
107.6 mi
2h 15m
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:
New York State Thruway
— 108.4 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrison, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on Halstead Avenue
50 ft·6 sec·Halstead Avenue
2
Turn right onto NY 127
1.3 mi·2 min·Harrison Avenue
3
Continue on NY 127
1.2 mi·2 min·North Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
5
Merge onto Hutchinson River Parkway
0.9 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·46 sec
Exit 15BToward I 287 West: White PlainsUse the right lane.
7
Turn straight onto Westchester Avenue
0.3 mi·33 sec·Westchester Avenue
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward I 287 West
9
Merge onto I 287
7.7 mi·9 min·Cross Westchester Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 87; I 287
8.9 mi·11 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 13NToward Palisades Parkway North, Bear MountainUse 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 18Toward 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 52Toward 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: BuffaloUse 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 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse 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 6Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem RoadUse 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
For this 373.3-mile trip, leaving Harrison, NY, early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays. With a 7-hour 52-minute estimated duration, plan for at least two stops to stretch your legs and refuel. The New York State Thruway is your main artery for a significant portion, so be mindful of toll plazas and rest area availability along that stretch. Given the drive's length, consider breaking it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace, though it is manageable in one day.
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 186.6 miles from Harrison, NY, or about 3h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.4 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 82 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186.6 miles or 3h 54m 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 41m
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 Harrison, 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 Harrison, NY
This is one driving day of about 373.3 miles and 7h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Harrison, 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 New York State Thruway for about 108.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 186.6 mi from Harrison, NY
· 3h 54m into the drive
The midpoint is around 186.6 miles from Harrison, 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 108.4 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.
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
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 257.4
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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 270.3
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.45 one way
$122.90 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg131 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$66.44
$132.89
premium
$4.92
$72.35
$144.71
diesel
$5.61
$82.42
$164.84
Estimated Tolls: $5.42
New York State Thruway
(108.4 mi)$5.42
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
$61
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112
1
$39.20
$17.92
Efficient EV
93.3
1
$32.66
$14.93
EV Truck/SUV
149.3
1
$52.26
$23.89
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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 15, 2026
Origin
Harrison, NY
Morning
in Harrison on Friday
Local time
6:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Amherst, NY
Morning
in Amherst on Friday
Local time
6:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
187 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
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 52m 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 Harrison, NY to Amherst, NY covers 373.3 miles and takes about 7h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, Long Mountain Parkway, I 81. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 186.6 miles from Harrison, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $61.45 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 30 significant decision points across 373.3 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 3.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 269.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Between Harrison, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain, New York State Thruway and Albany.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Women's Rights National Historical Park and Hamilton Grange National Memorial. There are 6 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.
