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Create accountDrive Time
3h 27m
Distance
167.2 mi
269 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New York City, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Clifton Park, NY
Abhishek Navlakha
Traveling from New York City to Clifton Park covers a distance of 167.2 miles, typically taking about 3 hours and 27 minutes. This highway-focused drive is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, requiring only one stop to reach your destination comfortably. You should budget approximately $26 for fuel to complete the journey. Because both the origin and destination are located in the Northeast, the trip feels like a straightforward transit through familiar regional landscapes. It is an efficient route for those looking to move between these two New York locations without the need for an overnight split.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83.6 miles from New York City, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Expect a trip dominated by highway travel, as 91% of your journey stays on major roads. Your route utilizes NJ 17, NY 17, and I-787 to navigate efficiently toward your destination. You will spend a significant portion of the drive on NY 17, which serves as the longest uninterrupted stretch at 111.7 miles. The drive maintains a consistent, fast-paced rhythm that favors speed over winding secondary roads. Prepare for a steady, focused experience behind the wheel that prioritizes direct transit rather than technical maneuvering.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
497 ft
Total Descent
9 ft
Highest Point
522 ft
~48.8 mi in
Elevation Range
497 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Complex — stay alert throughout
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 167.2 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 0.8 miles: Exit ramp — move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one; at 3 miles (NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct): Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one; at 11.2 miles: Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Exit ramp — move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one
Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one
Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one
Exit ramp — move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one
Between New York City, NY and Clifton Park, NY, road signs point toward New York State Thruway North: Albany, Troy and Saratoga Springs.
New York State Thruway North: Albany
Troy
Saratoga Springs
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 111.7 mi | 2h 8m |
| NJ 17 | 22.9 mi | 28m |
| I 787 | 9 mi | 12m |
| Adirondack Northway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| NJ 3 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| NY 7 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| Tonnelle Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Holland Tunnel | 1.8 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Clifton Park, NY.
Start on Broadway
Turn right onto Chambers Street
Turn right onto Church Street
Turn left onto Reade Street
Turn right onto Hudson Street
Keep slight right at fork onto Hudson Street
Take the exit
Merge onto I 78
Continue on I 78
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139
Continue on NJ 139
Continue on NJ 139
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
Turn straight onto NJ 3
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on I 287; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
Take the exit
Continue on I 787
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 787
Take the exit
Merge onto NY 7
Take the exit
Merge onto I 87
Take the exit
At end of road, turn right onto NY 146
Turn left onto US 9
Turn left onto Old Route 146
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 3 hour and 27 minute drive, plan to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the highway-heavy sections. Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your single recommended stop based on your personal energy levels rather than a strict schedule. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the 167.2-mile trek to ensure you stay within your $26 budget. Because NY 17 accounts for the vast majority of your time on the road, ensure your vehicle is ready for a long, sustained stretch of highway driving before you head out.
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.6 miles or 1h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clifton Park, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving New York City, 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 New York City, NY
This is one driving day of about 167.2 miles and 3h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.6 mi from New York City, NY · 1h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 83.6 miles from New York City, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.7 miles.
The final approach into Clifton Park, 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 Clifton Park, 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.
Regular Gas
$26.39 one way
$52.78 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $29.50 | $58.99 |
| premium | $4.86 | $32.00 | $64.00 |
| diesel | $4.69 | $30.90 | $61.80 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$26
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.2 | 0 | $17.56 | $8.03 |
| Efficient EV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.63 | $6.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.9 | 0 | $23.41 | $10.70 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in New York City on Sunday
Local time
4:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Sunny
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Afternoon in Clifton Park on Sunday
Local time
4:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Along the Route
59°F
Ramapo, NY
84 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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Return Trip
Clifton Park, NY to New York City, NYPlan the drive back the other way.
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