Origin
Porter, NY
Evening in Porter on Friday
Local time
5:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Porter, 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
6h 38m
Distance
316.8 mi
510 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 27m
★
6 AM
6h 39m
8 AM
7h 3m
10 AM
6h 47m
12 PM
6h 45m
3 PM
6h 48m
5 PM
7h 2m
8 PM
6h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Porter, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Amherst, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Porter, NY to Amherst, NY covers 316.8 miles and takes about 6h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New York State Thruway, Amsterdam Road, State Highway 29 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 246 miles on New York State Thruway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $50.00 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
158.4 miles from Porter, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 33m 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 6h 38m. Total distance: 316.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 6h 38m drive with frequent turns across 316.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 44 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 246 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
847 ft
310 ft
Total Climb
745 ft
Total Descent
718 ft
Highest Point
847 ft
~294.1 mi in
Elevation Range
537 ft
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 21.8 miles in near NY 29 / Main Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 316.8 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 21.8 miles (NY 29 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 23.1 miles (NY 29; NY 40): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 41.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
21.8 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
NY 29 / Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto NY 29 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
23.1 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
NY 29; NY 40
Enter roundabout onto NY 29; NY 40
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
41.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward US 9 North: Saratoga Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 13N
Toward US 9 North: Saratoga Springs
7
313.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 33m 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
315.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 36m 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 | 246 mi | 4h 44m |
| Amsterdam Road | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| State Highway 29 | 11.1 mi | 17m |
| State Highway 22 | 9.6 mi | 13m |
| Route 29 | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 67 | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| NY 29 | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| Malta Avenue | 3.5 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 246 mi, about 4h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Porter, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on South Grimes Hill Road
129 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Grimes Hill Road
2
Turn right onto NY 22
8.3 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 22
3
Continue on NY 22
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
North Main Street
4
Continue on NY 22
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 22
5
Turn right onto NY 29
10 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 29
6
At end of road, turn right onto NY 29
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
7
Continue on NY 29
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 29
8
Enter roundabout onto NY 29; NY 40
174 ft
·
2 sec
·
NY 29; NY 40
9
Continue on NY 29; NY 40
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
NY 29; NY 40
10
Turn right onto US 4; NY 29; NY 32
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Broad Street
11
Turn left onto NY 29
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Spring Street
12
Continue on NY 29
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Lake Avenue
13
Continue on NY 29
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Route 29
14
Continue on NY 29
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Avenue
15
Turn left onto Henning Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Henning Road
16
Turn left onto NY 9P
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Union Avenue
17
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
18
Merge onto I 87
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Adirondack Northway
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 13N
Toward US 9 North: Saratoga Springs
20
Turn straight onto US 9
378 ft
·
11 sec
·
US 9
21
Continue on US 9
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 9
22
Turn right onto CR 63
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Malta Avenue
23
Turn left onto NY 50
328 ft
·
13 sec
·
Milton Avenue
24
Turn right onto Front Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Front Street
25
Keep slight left at fork onto Charlton Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Charlton Street
26
Turn right onto NY 67
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
West High Street
27
Continue on NY 67
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Amsterdam Road
28
Continue on NY 67
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 67
29
Continue on NY 67
1.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Church Street
30
Continue on NY 67
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
State Highway 67
31
Continue on NY 67
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Market Street
32
Turn left onto NY 30; NY 67
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Pearl Street
33
Continue on NY 30
381 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Main Street
34
Continue on NY 30
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 30
35
Turn left
398 ft
·
11 sec
36
Continue on this road
525 ft
·
14 sec
·
this road
37
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 West
38
Merge onto I 90
246 mi
·
4 hr 44 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight lane.
39
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 50
Toward I 290: Niagara Falls
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on I 290
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Youngmann Expressway
41
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.
42
Turn left onto NY 324
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
43
Turn left onto NY 263
469 ft
·
13 sec
·
Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
44
Arrive at destination
NY 263
Trip Plan
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 158.4 miles from Porter, NY, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 246 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 70 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.4 miles or 3h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 31m
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 Porter, 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 Porter, NY
This is one driving day of about 316.8 miles and 6h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Porter, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 246 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 158.4 mi from Porter, NY · 3h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
158 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 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 158.4 miles from Porter, 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 246 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
$50.00 one way
$100.00 round trip
$4.01/gal
25.4 MPG avg
111 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $55.89 | $111.78 |
| premium | $4.86 | $60.63 | $121.26 |
| diesel | $4.69 | $58.55 | $117.09 |
Estimated Tolls: $12.30
New York State Thruway
(246 mi)
$12.30
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
$50
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95 | 1 | $33.26 | $15.21 |
| Efficient EV | 79.2 | 0 | $27.72 | $12.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.7 | 1 | $44.35 | $20.28 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Evening in Amherst on Friday
Local time
5:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
SW 18 to 28 mph
81% chance
Live forecast
39°F
Johnstown, NY
158 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
31 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
6h 38m 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 Porter, NY to Amherst, NY covers 316.8 miles and takes about 6h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, Amsterdam Road, State Highway 29. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 158.4 miles from Porter, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $50.00 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 1 meaningful break 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 22 significant decision points across 316.8 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 21.8 miles (NY 29 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 23.1 miles (NY 29; NY 40): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 41.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Porter, NY to Amherst, NY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 310 ft to 847 ft elevation with about 745 ft of total climbing.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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