Origin
Southold, NY
Morning in Southold on Wednesday
Local time
6:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Southold, NY to Syracuse, NY
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
7h 11m
Distance
341.4 mi
549 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 1m
★
6 AM
7h 12m
8 AM
7h 34m
10 AM
7h 19m
12 PM
7h 17m
3 PM
7h 21m
5 PM
7h 33m
8 PM
7h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Southold, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Syracuse, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking from Southold, NY, to Syracuse, NY, this 341.4-mile journey is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 7 hours and 11 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 67% of your travel on major roads like the Long Island Expressway and I-81. With an estimated fuel cost of $56, this drive offers a straightforward path through New York State. It’s a practical option for those looking to cover ground efficiently, with two planned stops to break up the drive. Consider this a solid day trip if you're ready for a good stretch of highway driving.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
170.7 miles from Southold, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 49m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This road trip is largely defined by its highway-focused profile, meaning you'll spend a significant 67% of your time on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 128.5 miles on I-81, offering a consistent pace for a considerable portion of your journey. While the Christopher Columbus Highway and Long Island Expressway set the initial tone, the transition to I-81 will dominate the latter half of your drive. Expect a driving experience geared towards efficiency rather than winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 46 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 22.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 32 significant decision points across 341.4 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 22.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 78.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 32 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
22.7 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Turn left toward I 495 West: New York
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 495 West: New York
8
78.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport
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 31N-S
Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge,...
10
78.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 31N
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone B...
8
82.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m 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
94.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Southold, NY and Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Upper Level and Njtp South: Hackensack - among others.
Kennedy Airport
78.4 mi in
|
~1h 52m
Cross Island Parkway North
78.7 mi in
|
~1h 53m
Bronx
82.1 mi in
|
~1h 58m
New England
82.1 mi in
|
~1h 58m
Upper Level
91.8 mi in
|
~2h 12m
|
via I 95; US 1
Njtp South: Hackensack
94.3 mi in
|
~2h 16m
Hackensack
96.9 mi in
|
~2h 19m
Albany
269.6 mi in
|
~5h 46m
|
via I 81
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 128.5 mi | 2h 31m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 68.2 mi | 1h 20m |
| Long Island Expressway | 55.4 mi | 1h 14m |
| I 380 | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| Keystone Shortway | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| Middle Road | 8.9 mi | 12m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Sound Avenue | 5.3 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 128.5 mi, about 2h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southold, NY and Syracuse, NY.
1
Start on Youngs Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Youngs Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 48; Truck NY 25
8.9 mi
·
12 min
·
Middle Road
3
Continue on CR 48; Truck NY 25
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Sound Avenue
4
Turn left onto CR 43
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Northville Turnpike
5
At end of road, turn left onto CR 73
138 ft
·
12 sec
·
Roanoke Avenue
6
Turn right onto Railroad Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Railroad Avenue
7
Turn left onto Griffing Avenue
149 ft
·
6 sec
·
Griffing Avenue
8
Turn right onto Court Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Court Street
9
Continue on CR 94A
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Center Drive Spur
10
Merge onto CR 94
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Nugent Drive
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on CR 94
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Edwards Avenue
12
Turn left
291 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 495 West: New York
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
this road
Toward I 495 West: New York
14
Merge onto I 495
55 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 31N-S
Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 31N
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto CI
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
20
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
23
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
24
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
25
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.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
I 95 EXPR; NJTP
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
29
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 69
Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 80
68 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Keystone Shortway
34
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 293
Toward I 380 North: Scranton
35
Continue on I 380
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 380
Use the straight lane.
36
Merge onto I 81
58 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
37
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
38
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.
39
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 81
Toward Syracuse
Use the straight lane.
40
Continue on I-81
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
I-81
41
Continue on I 81
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 81
42
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward Adams Street, Harrison Street
Use the slight right lane.
43
Continue on Almond Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Almond Street
Use the left / slight left / straight / right lanes.
44
Turn left onto NY 92
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
East Genesee Street
45
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
10 ft
·
0 sec
·
South State Street
46
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Southold to avoid potential traffic on Long Island. With two stops recommended, plan them strategically to break up the longest stretch on I-81, which spans 128.5 miles. The estimated fuel cost of $56 is manageable, but be sure to check your fuel levels before you get too far into that long I-81 segment. This is a feasible day trip, so you have flexibility in when you leave and how you pace your breaks.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 170.7 miles from Southold, NY, or about 3h 49m 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 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 170.7 miles or 3h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h
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 Southold, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Southold, NY
This is one driving day of about 341.4 miles and 7h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Southold, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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 170.7 mi from Southold, NY · 3h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
171 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 170.7 miles from Southold, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.20 one way
$112.39 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
119 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $60.77 | $121.53 |
| premium | $4.92 | $66.17 | $132.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $75.38 | $150.75 |
Estimated Tolls: $23.07
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New Jersey Turnpike
(2 mi)
$0.28
Northville Turnpike
(3.4 mi)
$0.24
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
$56
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$104–$129
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.4 | 1 | $35.85 | $16.39 |
| Efficient EV | 85.4 | 0 | $29.87 | $13.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 136.6 | 1 | $47.80 | $21.85 |
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Morning in Syracuse on Wednesday
Local time
6:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
171 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
2 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
7h 11m 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 Southold, NY to Syracuse, NY covers 341.4 miles and takes about 7h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway, Long Island Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 170.7 miles from Southold, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $56.20 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 2 meaningful breaks 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 32 significant decision points across 341.4 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 22.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 78.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Southold, NY and Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Upper Level and Njtp South: Hackensack - among others.
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