This roughly 354-mile drive from Patterson, NY, to Amherst, NY, is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 7 hours and 30 minutes of driving time. You'll be covering ground primarily on NY 17 and the New York State Thruway, with a segment on I-81. With a highway share of 57%, expect a mixed driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $58, and you'll have about two planned stops. This route stays within the Northeast region, offering a straightforward transition across New York State.
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
176.9 miles from Patterson, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 43m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 30m. Total distance: 353.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This drive offers a varied road personality, characterized as a 'mixed drive' with 57% of it on highways. You'll encounter a substantial 109.5-mile stretch on NY 17, which will likely break up the interstate feel. The New York State Thruway and I-81 portions will provide faster, more direct travel, while other segments might offer a slightly more varied pace. Overall, anticipate a blend of efficient highway cruising and more engaging road sections as you progress westward.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NY 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 109.5 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 31.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 25 significant decision points across 353.7 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 31.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 250 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 250.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
31.7 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward NY 17K: Montgomery, Newburgh
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 34
Toward NY 17K: Montgomery, Newburgh
7
250 mi into trip|~5h 28m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
250.2 mi into trip|~5h 28m 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
350.4 mi into trip|~7h 25m 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
352.6 mi into trip|~7h 28m 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 Patterson, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Newburgh, Binghamton and Albany.
Newburgh
31.7 mi in|~40m
Binghamton
48.9 mi in|~1h 4m
Albany
158.7 mi in|~3h 22m|via I 81
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
109.5 mi
2h 17m
New York State Thruway
99.6 mi
1h 55m
I 81
39.3 mi
46m
I 84
27.3 mi
32m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
State Highway 17K
10 mi
13m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
Chase Street
9.8 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 109.5 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Patterson, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on NY 311
4.2 mi·7 min·State Highway 311
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward Newburgh
3
Merge onto I 84
27 mi·32 min·I 84
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 34Toward NY 17K: Montgomery, NewburghUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Turn right onto NY 17K
6.9 mi·9 min·NY 17K
6
Turn slight left onto NY 17K
10 mi·13 min·State Highway 17K
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Wurtsboro, Binghamton
8
Merge onto NY 17
110 mi·2 hr 17 min·NY 17
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
12
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
13
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
14
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
15
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
16
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
17
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
18
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
19
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
20
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
21
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
22
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
23
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
24
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
26
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
27
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
28
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
29
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
30
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
32
Merge onto I 90
100 mi·1 hr 55 min·New York State Thruway
33
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on I 290
1.8 mi·2 min·Youngmann Expressway
35
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Turn left onto NY 324
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
37
Turn left onto NY 263
469 ft·13 sec·Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
38
Arrive at destination
NY 263
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Patterson to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With two stops factored in, you can easily manage breaks for stretching and refueling. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 109.5 miles on NY 17, as services might be less frequent in certain areas. The $58 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for unforeseen circumstances.
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 176.9 miles from Patterson, NY, or about 3h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.5 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 78 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.9 miles or 3h 43m 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 19m
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 Patterson, 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 Patterson, NY
This is one driving day of about 353.7 miles and 7h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Patterson, 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 NY 17 for about 109.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 176.9 mi from Patterson, NY
· 3h 43m into the drive
The midpoint is around 176.9 miles from Patterson, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.5 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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 231.8
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.22 one way
$116.44 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$62.96
$125.91
premium
$4.92
$68.55
$137.11
diesel
$5.61
$78.09
$156.19
Estimated Tolls: $4.98
New York State Thruway
(99.6 mi)$4.98
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
$58
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.1
1
$37.14
$16.98
Efficient EV
88.4
1
$30.95
$14.15
EV Truck/SUV
141.5
1
$49.52
$22.64
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
41 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
Patterson, NY
Late night
in Patterson on Friday
Local time
4:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Amherst, NY
Late night
in Amherst on Friday
Local time
4:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Union, NY
177 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
3 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 30m 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 Patterson, NY to Amherst, NY covers 353.7 miles and takes about 7h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NY 17, New York State Thruway, I 81. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 176.9 miles from Patterson, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $58.22 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 25 significant decision points across 353.7 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 31.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 250 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 250.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Patterson, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Newburgh, Binghamton and Albany.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Harriet Tubman National Historical Park and Women's Rights National Historical Park.
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.
