Origin
Larchmont, NY
Afternoon in Larchmont on Friday
Local time
4:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Larchmont, 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
7h 58m
Distance
378.4 mi
609 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$62
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 50m
★
6 AM
7h 58m
8 AM
8h 16m
10 AM
8h 4m
12 PM
8h 3m
3 PM
8h 5m
5 PM
8h 15m
8 PM
7h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Larchmont, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Amherst, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This drive from Larchmont, NY to Amherst, NY spans 378.4 miles and will take approximately 7 hours and 58 minutes. It's a manageable one-day trip, though you might consider an overnight if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The primary roads you'll be on include the New York State Thruway and I-81, making up about 57% of the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $62, this route offers a straightforward path through the Northeast region. You'll want to factor in at least two planned stops along the way. This trip is best suited for those seeking an efficient way to travel between these two New York locations.
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
189.2 miles from Larchmont, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 56m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 58m. Total distance: 378.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 58m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, with a significant 57% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches of fast-paced driving, particularly on the New York State Thruway, which features your longest uninterrupted segment of 108.4 miles. While much of the drive is on well-maintained expressways, the inclusion of roads like Long Mountain Parkway and I-81 suggests a dynamic route that isn't solely a monotonous interstate grind. This blend means you'll experience varying speeds and road conditions throughout your approximately 8-hour travel time.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 43 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 26.1 miles in.
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 29 significant decision points across 378.4 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 26.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 274.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 274.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
26.1 mi into trip
|
~35m 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
274.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 55m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
274.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 56m 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
375.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 52m 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
377.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 55m 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 Larchmont, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain, New York State Thruway and Albany.
Palisades Parkway North
26.1 mi in
|
~35m
Bear Mountain
26.1 mi in
|
~35m
New York State Thruway
41.7 mi in
|
~53m
Albany
183.4 mi in
|
~3h 49m
|
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 |
| Cross Westchester Expressway | 10.8 mi | 12m |
| Clinton Street | 10.5 mi | 15m |
| East Lake Road | 9.9 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 108.4 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Larchmont, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on US 1
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Boston Post Road
2
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Boston Post Road
3
Continue on US 1
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Boston Post Road
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Boston Post Road
5
Take the ramp
507 ft
·
12 sec
6
Merge onto I 287
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Cross Westchester Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 87; I 287
8.9 mi
·
11 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 13N
Toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 18
Toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State Thruway
11
Enter roundabout onto US 6
375 ft
·
5 sec
·
Long Mountain Parkway
12
Continue on US 6
108 mi
·
2 hr 14 min
·
Long Mountain Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on NY 17
34 mi
·
40 min
·
NY 17
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi
·
43 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 52
Toward NY 13: Cortland
17
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft
·
5 sec
·
Clinton Avenue
18
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Locust Avenue
19
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Albany Street
20
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
21
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi
·
15 min
·
Clinton Street
22
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Lake Road
23
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 41
24
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi
·
13 min
·
East Lake Road
25
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
East Lake Street
26
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi
·
13 min
·
East Genesee Street
27
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
North Fulton Street
28
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Arterial West
29
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Chase Street
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Auburn Road
31
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
NY 318
32
Continue on NY 318
319 ft
·
10 sec
·
NY 318
Use the right lane.
33
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
State Route 414
Use the right lane.
34
Continue on NY 414
217 ft
·
11 sec
·
Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
35
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Use the left lane.
36
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Merge onto I 90
100 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
New York State Thruway
38
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 50
Toward I 290: Niagara Falls
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on I 290
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Youngmann Expressway
40
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.
41
Turn left onto NY 324
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
42
Turn left onto NY 263
469 ft
·
13 sec
·
Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
43
Arrive at destination
NY 263
Trip Plan
For this 378.4-mile trip, aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With a duration of nearly 8 hours, planning for two stops is wise for stretching and refueling. The longest stretch without a break is 108.4 miles on the New York State Thruway, so be prepared for that segment. Given the $62 fuel cost, keep an eye on your gauge, especially as you navigate the various main roads like the New York State Thruway and I-81. Since it's a single-day drive, flexibility is key, but having a general idea of your intended stops will make the journey smoother.
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 189.2 miles from Larchmont, NY, or about 3h 56m 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 83 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 189.2 miles or 3h 56m 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 47m
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 Larchmont, 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 Larchmont, NY
This is one driving day of about 378.4 miles and 7h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Larchmont, 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 189.2 mi from Larchmont, NY · 3h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
189 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 189.2 miles from Larchmont, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.29 one way
$124.57 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
132 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $67.35 | $134.70 |
| premium | $4.92 | $73.34 | $146.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $83.55 | $167.09 |
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
$62
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 132.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 113.5 | 1 | $39.73 | $18.16 |
| Efficient EV | 94.6 | 1 | $33.11 | $15.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 151.4 | 1 | $52.98 | $24.22 |
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Destination
Amherst, NY
Afternoon in Amherst on Friday
Local time
4:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 to 22 mph
84% chance
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
189 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
26 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
7h 58m 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 Larchmont, NY to Amherst, NY covers 378.4 miles and takes about 7h 58m 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 189.2 miles from Larchmont, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $62.29 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 29 significant decision points across 378.4 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 26.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 274.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 274.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Larchmont, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain, 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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