Trip from Penfield, NY to Amherst, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 32m

Distance

75.5 mi

122 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

7 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min

4 AM

1h 26m ★

6 AM

1h 33m

8 AM

1h 47m

10 AM

1h 38m

12 PM

1h 36m

3 PM

1h 38m

5 PM

1h 46m

8 PM

1h 29m

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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Penfield, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Amherst, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 75.5-mile drive from Penfield, NY, to Amherst, NY, is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 32 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the New York State Thruway, Genesee Expressway, and Outer Loop, with a significant portion of your journey on the Thruway. With a projected fuel cost of around $12, this trip is quite budget-friendly. The route is characterized by its numerous turns, suggesting a local feel rather than a continuous highway experience. It’s a straightforward journey within the Northeast region of New York, making it a convenient option for a quick regional excursion.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

37.8 miles from Penfield, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .

About the Cities

Arriving in Amherst, NY

Full guide →

Amherst is a town in the Northtowns of Erie County, New York.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 75.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

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

Drive Character

Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" on this 75.5-mile route, despite 9% of it being on highways. While there's a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 57.4 miles on the New York State Thruway, the overall profile indicates a need to stay alert for frequent turns. This suggests a journey that blends some faster-paced highway segments with more intricate local road navigation. The character of the drive will likely shift as you transition between the major expressways and the local arteries connecting them, requiring you to adapt your driving style.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 20 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 57.4 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 3.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.5 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 3.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

3.9 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the exit toward I 590 South, NY 590 North

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 21 Toward I 590 South, NY 590 North

4 mi into trip | ~6m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 590 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 590 South

8.7 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward I 390 South, I 90: Corning

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. Toward I 390 South, I 90: Corning

14.5 mi into trip | ~19m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 West: Buffalo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 90 West: Buffalo

74.3 mi into trip | ~1h 30m 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	57.4 mi	1h 6m
Genesee Expressway	4.3 mi	5m
Outer Loop	4.2 mi	5m
Korean War Memorial Highway	2.1 mi	3m
Youngmann Expressway	1.8 mi	2m
Eastern Expressway	1 mi	1m
Sheridan Drive	0.9 mi	1m
Penfield Road	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 57.4 mi, about 1h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on NY 441

0.5 mi · 1 min · Penfield Road

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Continue on NY 441

2.1 mi · 3 min · Korean War Memorial Highway

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Merge onto I 490

1.0 mi · 1 min · Eastern Expressway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 13 sec

Exit 21 Toward I 590 South, NY 590 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 32 sec

Toward I 590 South Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 590

4.2 mi · 5 min · Outer Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 56 sec

Toward I 390 South, I 90: Corning Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 390

4.3 mi · 5 min · Genesee Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 20 sec

Exit 12B Toward I 90: New York State Thruway

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 28 sec

Exit 12B Toward I 90: New York Thruway

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 6 sec · this road

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 90 West: Buffalo Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 90

57 mi · 1 hr 6 min · New York State Thruway

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 36 sec

Exit 50 Toward I 290: Niagara Falls Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 290

1.8 mi · 2 min · Youngmann Expressway

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.

Turn left onto NY 324

0.9 mi · 1 min · Sheridan Drive

Use the left / right lanes.

Turn left onto NY 263

469 ft · 13 sec · Millersport Highway

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

NY 263

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of about 1 hour and 32 minutes, this trip is best suited for a single day. You can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. Aim to depart when traffic is typically lighter, perhaps mid-morning or early afternoon, to make the most of the 75.5-mile journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, budgeting for gas is simple. Keep an eye out for the transitions between the New York State Thruway and the Genesee Expressway, as these are points where your route will significantly change character and potentially require more attention to navigation.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 37.8 miles from Penfield, NY, or about 47m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.4 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 17 miles or 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 37.8 miles or 47m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 17m

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 Penfield, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Penfield, NY

This is one driving day of about 75.5 miles and 1h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Penfield, NY.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 57.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 37.8 mi from Penfield, NY · 47m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Riga, NY

38 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

Rush, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Stafford, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.8 miles from Penfield, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 70.1

Buffalo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 43.2

Batavia, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 43.2

Batavia, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

SWTCH Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 43.2

Batavia, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18447982438

Visit website

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 75.5

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 10:30 am–2:30 pm

+17168563858

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.43 one way

$24.86 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.52	$13.44	$26.88
premium	$4.92	$14.63	$29.27
diesel	$5.61	$16.67	$33.34

Estimated Tolls: $2.87

New York State Thruway (57.4 mi) $2.87

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

$12

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

7 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Rochester Genesee Transit Authority

Rochester, NY

EV Connect

16 DCFC

SWTCH Energy Inc.

Rochester, NY

SWTCH

16 DCFC

Vision Buick GMC

Rochester, NY

CHARGESMART_EV

6 DCFC

Vision CDJR

Rochester, NY

CHARGESMART_EV

4 DCFC

Van Bortel Ford

East Rochester, NY

FORD_CHARGE

4 DCFC

Hoselton GM Chevrolet

East Rochester, NY

EV Connect

2 DCFC

SWTCH Energy

Rochester, NY

SWTCH

1 DCFC

EV Connect: 2 SWTCH: 2 CHARGESMART_EV: 2 FORD_CHARGE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	22.7	$7.93	$3.62
Efficient EV	18.9	$6.61	$3.02
EV Truck/SUV	30.2	$10.57	$4.83

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (65% 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Penfield, NY

Late night in Penfield on Saturday

Local time

12:49 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Amherst, NY

Late night in Amherst on Saturday

Local time

12:49 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

43°F

Riga, NY

38 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

1h 32m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Penfield, NY to Amherst, NY covers 75.5 miles and takes about 1h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are New York State Thruway, Genesee Expressway, Outer Loop. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 37.8 miles from Penfield, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.43 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

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

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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Penfield, NY to Amherst, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

About the Cities

Arriving in Amherst, NY

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Amherst, NY

Nearby Places

Tesla Supercharger

Flying J EV Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

SWTCH Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Channing H. Philbrick Park

Washington Grove

Jack's Place

RMSC (Rochester Museum & Science Center)

The Strong National Museum of Play

Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Park at Manhattan Square

5 Wits Buffalo

Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Penfield, NY

Amherst, NY

Same local time

Very similar conditions

1h 32m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Penfield, NY to Amherst, NY?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How hard is the drive from Penfield, NY to Amherst, NY?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Penfield, NY to Amherst, NY?

How this page is built

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