Trip from Richmond Hill, NY to Syracuse, NY

Drive Time

5h 21m

Distance

260.7 mi

420 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

5h 8m ★

6 AM

5h 22m

8 AM

5h 49m

10 AM

5h 31m

12 PM

5h 29m

3 PM

5h 33m

5 PM

5h 47m

8 PM

5h 14m

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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Richmond Hill, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Syracuse, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

The drive from Richmond Hill, NY to Syracuse, NY covers 260.7 miles and takes about 5h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway, I 380 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 128.5 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.44 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

130.4 miles from Richmond Hill, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 21m highway drive covering 260.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 128.5 miles on I 81.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 128.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 34 significant decision points across 260.7 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 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 34 key points

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

3.8 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the exit toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 12B Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel

7.7 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward I 278 West: Brooklyn

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 17W Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn

8.7 mi into trip | ~13m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan

12 mi into trip | ~19m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Crosstown, 37th Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward Crosstown, 37th Street

17.4 mi into trip | ~31m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 3 West: Clifton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton

Towns Along This Route

Between Richmond Hill, NY and Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Albany.

Del Water Gap

38.5 mi in | ~56m

Mahwah

38.8 mi in | ~56m | via I 80W

Albany

189 mi in | ~3h 56m | via I 81

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 81	128.5 mi	2h 31m
Christopher Columbus Highway	44.6 mi	52m
I 380	27.7 mi	30m
Keystone Shortway	17.3 mi	24m
US 46	10.8 mi	12m
NJ 3	10.2 mi	12m
Long Island Expressway	4.8 mi	7m
Lincoln Tunnel Expressway	3.7 mi	6m

Longest stretch: I 81 — 128.5 mi, about 2h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Richmond Hill, NY and Syracuse, NY.

Start on Jamaica Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · Jamaica Avenue

Turn left onto Van Wyck Expressway

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Van Wyck Expressway

Use the left lane.

Continue on 138th Street

298 ft · 6 sec · 138th Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 16 sec

Toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway, Whitestone Bridge, Bronx

Merge onto I 678

2.7 mi · 3 min · Van Wyck Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 58 sec

Exit 12B Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 495

3.4 mi · 5 min · Long Island Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min

Exit 17W Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 49 sec

Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 495

1.4 mi · 2 min · Long Island Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 495

1.3 mi · 2 min · Queens-Midtown Tunnel

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Toward Crosstown, 37th Street Use the slight left lane.

Turn slight left onto East 37th Street

1.1 mi · 3 min · East 37th Street

Use the slight left lane.

Take the ramp

474 ft · 11 sec

Toward Lincoln Tunnel

Turn right

342 ft · 11 sec

Use the right lane.

Merge onto NY 495

105 ft · 4 sec · Lincoln Tunnel Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 495

3.7 mi · 6 min · Lincoln Tunnel Expressway

Toward Lincoln Tunnel Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 29 sec

Toward NJ 3 West: Secaucus Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

453 ft · 7 sec

Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto NJ 3

10 mi · 12 min · NJ 3

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 46

11 mi · 12 min · US 46

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap

Continue on I 80W

1.6 mi · 1 min · Interstate 80 West

Toward I 287: Morristown, Mahwah Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec

Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 80

45 mi · 52 min · Christopher Columbus Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec

Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380

Use the straight lane.

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 81

Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

66 mi · 1 hr 17 min · I 81

Toward I 81 North: Syracuse Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

0.2 mi · 17 sec · I 81

Toward Syracuse Use the straight lane.

Continue on I-81

0.4 mi · 26 sec · I-81

Continue on I 81

1.9 mi · 2 min · I 81

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward Adams Street, Harrison Street Use the slight right lane.

Continue on Almond Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Almond Street

Use the left / slight left / straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto NY 92

0.3 mi · 36 sec · East Genesee Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 11

10 ft · 0 sec · South State Street

Arrive at destination

US 11

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 130.4 miles from Richmond Hill, NY, or about 2h 47m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.5 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 80 miles or 1h 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 130.4 miles or 2h 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 4h 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Syracuse, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Richmond Hill, 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 Richmond Hill, NY

This is one driving day of about 260.7 miles and 5h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Richmond Hill, 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 I 81 for about 128.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 130.4 mi from Richmond Hill, NY · 2h 47m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

130 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.

Popular next leg

Ramapo, NY to Syracuse, NY

223.6 mi · 3h 33m

Pacing Suggestions

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ramapo, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 130.4 miles from Richmond Hill, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 128.5 miles.

Arriving in Syracuse, NY

The final approach into Syracuse, 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 Syracuse, 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.

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 9

View on nps.gov

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...

5 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 9

View on nps.gov

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 9

View on nps.gov

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Free near mile 9

View on nps.gov

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Free near mile 18

View on nps.gov

Governors Island National Monument

National Monument

From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...

6 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 9

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.44 one way

$84.88 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 91 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.48	$45.99	$91.98
premium	$4.88	$50.12	$100.24
diesel	$5.64	$57.92	$115.84

Estimated Tolls: $16.00

Lincoln Tunnel $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

$42

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$83–$108

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 91.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	78.2	0	$27.37	$12.51
Efficient EV	65.2	0	$22.81	$10.43
EV Truck/SUV	104.3	1	$36.50	$16.68

Gas CO2

91 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Richmond Hill, NY

Afternoon in Richmond Hill on Monday

Local time

1:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Syracuse, NY

Afternoon in Syracuse on Monday

Local time

1:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

40°F

Ramapo, NY

130 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

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

5h 21m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Richmond Hill, NY to Syracuse, NY covers 260.7 miles and takes about 5h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway, I 380. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 130.4 miles from Richmond Hill, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.44 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Richmond Hill, NY and Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Albany.

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Return Trip

Syracuse, NY to Richmond Hill, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

264.3 mi 5h 22m

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Trip from Richmond Hill, NY to Syracuse, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Syracuse, NY

National Parks Near This Route

Stonewall National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

Federal Hall National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

Governors Island National Monument

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Richmond Hill, NY

Syracuse, NY

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 21m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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