The drive from Richland, NY to Albany, NY covers 150.1 miles and takes about 3h 19m 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, State Highway 13, NY 49 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 83.7 miles on New York State Thruway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.71 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
75.1 miles from Richland, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 150.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Richland, NY to Albany, NY covers 150.1 miles and takes about 3h 19m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 32 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 83.7 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 0.1 miles in near North Ridge Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 150.1 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 0.1 miles (North Ridge Road): Navigation decision point; at 142.1 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.2 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|North Ridge Road
Turn left onto North Ridge Road
Navigation decision point
9
142.1 mi into trip|~3h 5m in|I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, Montreal
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 24
Toward I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, Montreal
6
143.2 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
148.1 mi into trip|~3h 14m in
Take the exit toward US 9: Loudonville, Arbor Hill
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 6
Toward US 9: Loudonville, Arbor Hill
9
148.4 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 9 South: Arbor Hill, Henry Johnson Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 9 South: Arbor Hill, Henry Johnson Bo...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Richland, NY and Albany, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South and Montreal.
Genesee Street South
57.2 mi in|~1h 26m
Montreal
142.1 mi in|~3h 5m|via I 90
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
83.7 mi
1h 36m
State Highway 13
19.2 mi
28m
NY 49
14.4 mi
17m
State Highway 69
7.4 mi
10m
Rome-Taberg Road
7.3 mi
10m
I 90
6.1 mi
8m
Erie Boulevard West
3.4 mi
7m
County Route 48
3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 83.7 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richland, NY and Albany, NY.
1
Start on CR 2
0.1 mi·24 sec·Richland-Orwell Road
2
Turn left onto North Ridge Road
182 ft·5 sec·North Ridge Road
3
Turn right onto County Route 48
446 ft·15 sec·County Route 48
4
Continue on County Route 48
2.9 mi·7 min·County Route 48
5
Turn left onto NY 13
18 mi·26 min·State Highway 13
6
Continue on NY 13
0.3 mi·29 sec·Westdale Road
7
Continue on NY 13
1.1 mi·1 min·State Highway 13
8
Continue on NY 13
0.7 mi·1 min·Oswego Street
9
Continue on NY 13
0.2 mi·36 sec·Main Street
10
Turn left onto Union Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Union Street
11
Turn left onto NY 69
441 ft·12 sec·Church Street
12
Continue on NY 69
0.4 mi·43 sec·Taberg Street
13
Continue on NY 69
7.4 mi·10 min·State Highway 69
14
Continue on NY 69
7.3 mi·10 min·Rome-Taberg Road
15
Continue on NY 46; NY 49; NY 69
3.4 mi·7 min·Erie Boulevard West
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 49; NY 69
0.8 mi·1 min·NY 49; NY 69
17
Continue on NY 49; NY 365
14 mi·16 min·NY 49; NY 365
18
Continue on I 790; NY 5
0.2 mi·13 sec·I 790; NY 5
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 90
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 90 East
22
Merge onto I 90
84 mi·1 hr 36 min·New York State Thruway
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
1.2 mi·1 min·I 90
Exit 24Toward I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, MontrealUse the slight left lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
4.9 mi·6 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 6Toward US 9: Loudonville, Arbor HillUse the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward US 9 South: Arbor Hill, Henry Johnson BoulevardUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Turn straight onto US 9
0.3 mi·22 sec·US 9
28
Continue on US 9
0.5 mi·1 min·Henry Johnson Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Turn left onto NY 5
508 ft·16 sec·Central Avenue
30
Turn slight left onto NY 5
0.5 mi·1 min·Washington Avenue
31
Turn right
30 ft·2 sec
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.1 miles from Richland, NY, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.7 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 33 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.1 miles or 1h 48m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Richland, 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 Richland, NY
This is one driving day of about 150.1 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Richland, 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 83.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.1 mi from Richland, NY
· 1h 48m into the drive
The midpoint is around 75.1 miles from Richland, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.7 miles.
Arriving in Albany, NY
The final approach into Albany, 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 Albany, NY.
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.
Fort Stanwix National Monument
National Monument
For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes. When Eur...
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 129.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.71 one way
$49.41 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$26.72
$53.43
premium
$4.92
$29.09
$58.18
diesel
$5.61
$33.14
$66.28
Estimated Tolls: $4.18
New York State Thruway
(83.7 mi)$4.18
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
$25
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45
0
$15.76
$7.20
Efficient EV
37.5
0
$13.13
$6.00
EV Truck/SUV
60
0
$21.01
$9.61
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Richland, NY
Afternoon
in Richland on Friday
Local time
3:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Albany, NY
Afternoon
in Albany on Friday
Local time
3:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 19m 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 Richland, NY to Albany, NY covers 150.1 miles and takes about 3h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, State Highway 13, NY 49. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.1 miles from Richland, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.71 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 150.1 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 0.1 miles (North Ridge Road): Navigation decision point; at 142.1 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.2 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Richland, NY and Albany, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South and Montreal.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Fort Stanwix National Monument and Saratoga National Historical Park.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
