This 272.4-mile drive from Sea Cliff, NY, to Syracuse, NY, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 37 minutes. The journey is primarily highway-focused, with 62% of the mileage on major interstates like I-81 and I-380, and the Christopher Columbus Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $45, this route offers a straightforward path across New York State within the Northeast region. It’s a manageable distance for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Consider this a practical and efficient way to travel between these two points.
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
136.2 miles from Sea Cliff, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 37m. Total distance: 272.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 5-hour, 37-minute journey. With 62% of the route utilizing major interstates, including I-81 and I-380, you'll encounter consistent speeds for long stretches. The longest uninterrupted segment clocks in at 128.5 miles on I-81, offering a period of steady progress. While predominantly high-speed, the inclusion of the Christopher Columbus Highway might introduce slight variations. Overall, this drive prioritizes efficient travel over winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 41 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 10.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 272.4 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 10.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 28 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
10.6 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the ramp toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone B...
8
13.1 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
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 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx,...
8
25.3 mi into trip|~42m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
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 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
25.5 mi into trip|~42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
27.9 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
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 69
Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sea Cliff, NY and Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Hackensack and Albany.
Upper Level
22.8 mi in|~38m|via I 95; US 1
Njtp South: Hackensack
25.3 mi in|~42m
Hackensack
27.9 mi in|~45m
Albany
200.6 mi in|~4h 12m|via I 81
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
128.5 mi
2h 31m
Christopher Columbus Highway
68.2 mi
1h 20m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
Northern Boulevard
6.8 mi
12m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Cross Island Parkway
2.3 mi
3m
New Jersey Turnpike
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 128.5 mi, about 2h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sea Cliff, NY and Syracuse, NY.
1
Start on Roslyn Avenue
0.1 mi·30 sec·Roslyn Avenue
2
Turn right onto Glen Avenue
0.4 mi·59 sec·Glen Avenue
3
Turn straight onto Prospect Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Prospect Avenue
4
Continue on Shore Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Shore Road
5
Continue on Scudders Lane
0.2 mi·21 sec·Scudders Lane
6
Turn right onto Glenwood Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Glenwood Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto Bryant Avenue
0.9 mi·1 min·Bryant Avenue
8
Turn left onto Wittes Lane
238 ft·12 sec·Wittes Lane
9
Turn right
126 ft·5 sec
10
Turn right onto NY 25A
6.8 mi·12 min·Northern Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto CI
2.3 mi·3 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 33Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New EnglandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
15
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi·8 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
18
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
19
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi·39 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 69Toward I 80 West: Paterson, HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 80
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
29
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
30
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
31
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
66 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: SyracuseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
0.2 mi·17 sec·I 81
Toward SyracuseUse the straight lane.
35
Continue on I-81
0.4 mi·26 sec·I-81
36
Continue on I 81
1.9 mi·2 min·I 81
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Adams Street, Harrison StreetUse the slight right lane.
38
Continue on Almond Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Almond Street
Use the left / slight left / straight / right lanes.
39
Turn left onto NY 92
0.3 mi·36 sec·East Genesee Street
40
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
10 ft·0 sec·South State Street
41
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour, 37-minute duration and 272.4-mile length, starting your trip from Sea Cliff, NY, in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With only one planned stop suggested, consider breaking up the 128.5-mile stretch on I-81 for a fuel and rest break. The estimated fuel cost is $45, so ensure your tank is full before departing. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you approach major interchanges. This route is well-suited for a single-day journey, offering flexibility without the pressure of an overnight commitment.
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 136.2 miles from Sea Cliff, NY, or about 2h 56m 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 60 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.2 miles or 2h 56m 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 39m
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 Sea Cliff, 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 Sea Cliff, NY
This is one driving day of about 272.4 miles and 5h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Sea Cliff, 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 136.2 mi from Sea Cliff, NY
· 2h 56m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 28.2
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 28.2
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 28.2
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 28.2
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 28.2
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 28.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.84 one way
$89.68 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$48.49
$96.97
premium
$4.92
$52.80
$105.59
diesel
$5.61
$60.14
$120.28
Estimated Tolls: $22.83
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New Jersey Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.28
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
$45
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.7
1
$28.60
$13.08
Efficient EV
68.1
0
$23.83
$10.90
EV Truck/SUV
109
1
$38.14
$17.43
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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
Sea Cliff, NY
Morning
in Sea Cliff on Friday
Local time
11:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Morning
in Syracuse on Friday
Local time
11:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
W 6 mph86% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 7:20PM EDT until April 16 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 7:15PM EDT until April 16 at 7:30PM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
57°F
Ramapo, NY
136 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
7 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 37m 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 Sea Cliff, NY to Syracuse, NY covers 272.4 miles and takes about 5h 37m 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 136.2 miles from Sea Cliff, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.84 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 28 significant decision points across 272.4 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 10.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Sea Cliff, NY and Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Hackensack and Albany.
Yes. Nearby national parks include General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
