The drive from Saranac Lake, NY to Yonkers, NY covers 290.6 miles and takes about 5h 58m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 87, Adirondack Northway, New York State Thruway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 118.6 miles on I 87.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.83 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
145.3 miles from Saranac Lake, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 4m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 58m. Total distance: 290.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Saranac Lake, NY to Yonkers, NY covers 290.6 miles and takes about 5h 58m, 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 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 87 is the longest continuous segment at about 118.6 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 142.4 miles in near I 87.
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 14 significant decision points across 290.6 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 142.4 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.2 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 281 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
142.4 mi into trip|~3h in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1E-W
Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
7
143.2 mi into trip|~3h 2m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 87 South: New York
7
281 mi into trip|~5h 44m in
Take the exit toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 7A
Toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
7
289.2 mi into trip|~5h 55m in
Take the exit toward West Yonkers Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward West Yonkers Avenue
7
290.5 mi into trip|~5h 58m in|US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Saranac Lake, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York and Buffalo.
Albany
142.4 mi in|~3h|via I 87
New York
142.4 mi in|~3h|via I 87
Buffalo
142.4 mi in|~3h|via I 87
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 87
118.6 mi
2h 17m
Adirondack Northway
103.7 mi
2h 1m
New York State Thruway
20 mi
25m
State Highway 73
18.7 mi
27m
Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi
10m
Cascade Road
5.3 mi
7m
Saranac-Placid Road
4.9 mi
7m
Old Military Road
3.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 87
— 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saranac Lake, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on NY 3; NY 86
0.4 mi·48 sec·Church Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto NY 86
0.2 mi·32 sec·River Street
3
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 86
304 ft·8 sec·River Street
4
Turn slight right onto NY 86
1.1 mi·2 min·Lake Flower Avenue
5
Continue on NY 86
4.9 mi·7 min·Saranac-Placid Road
6
Turn right onto CR 35
3.6 mi·6 min·Old Military Road
7
Turn straight onto NY 73
5.3 mi·7 min·Cascade Road
8
Continue on NY 73
7.2 mi·10 min·State Highway 73
9
Turn straight onto NY 9N; NY 73
1.8 mi·3 min·State Highway 9N
10
Continue on NY 73
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 73
11
Turn straight onto US 9
2.1 mi·2 min·US 9
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 87 South
13
Merge onto I 87
104 mi·2 hr 1 min·Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
0.3 mi·31 sec·I 87
Exit 1E-WToward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, BuffaloUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on I 87
0.5 mi·51 sec·I 87
Exit 1WToward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 87
Toward I 87 South: New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 87
19 mi·24 min·New York State Thruway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
1.0 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 7AToward Saw Mill River Parkway SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi·10 min·Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward West Yonkers AvenueUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Yonkers Avenue
23
Continue on Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi·57 sec·Nepperhan Avenue
24
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A
229 ft·5 sec·South Broadway
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
US 9; NY 9A
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 145.3 miles from Saranac Lake, NY, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 64 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.3 miles or 3h 4m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yonkers, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saranac Lake, 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 Saranac Lake, NY
This is one driving day of about 290.6 miles and 5h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Saranac Lake, 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 87 for about 118.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 145.3 mi from Saranac Lake, NY
· 3h 4m into the drive
The midpoint is around 145.3 miles from Saranac Lake, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.6 miles.
Arriving in Yonkers, NY
The final approach into Yonkers, 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 Yonkers, 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.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 290.6
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 290.6
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...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 120.2
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 290.6
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 290.6
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 290.6
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.2
1
$30.51
$13.95
Efficient EV
72.7
0
$25.43
$11.62
EV Truck/SUV
116.2
1
$40.68
$18.60
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 16, 2026
Origin
Saranac Lake, NY
Afternoon
in Saranac Lake on Thursday
Local time
12:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Afternoon
in Yonkers on Thursday
Local time
12:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 6 to 12 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
37°F
Hudson, NY
145 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
56 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
5h 58m 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 Saranac Lake, NY to Yonkers, NY covers 290.6 miles and takes about 5h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 87, Adirondack Northway, New York State Thruway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 145.3 miles from Saranac Lake, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.83 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 290.6 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 142.4 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.2 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 281 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Saranac Lake, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York and Buffalo.
