Origin
Suffern, NY
Evening in Suffern on Sunday
Local time
5:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Suffern, NY to Amherst, NY
Drive Time
7h 17m
Distance
346.5 mi
558 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 6m
★
6 AM
7h 17m
8 AM
7h 38m
10 AM
7h 25m
12 PM
7h 22m
3 PM
7h 26m
5 PM
7h 37m
8 PM
7h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Amherst, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
Spanning 346.5 miles from Suffern to Amherst, this New York State journey typically requires about 7 hours and 17 minutes of driving time. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you can complete it without needing an overnight stay, provided you are prepared for a long stint behind the wheel. You will navigate a mix of NY 17, the New York State Thruway, and I-81, making this a practical route for those crossing the Northeast region. Budget approximately $56 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. It is a straightforward trek that connects two distinct areas of the state, offering a reliable path for travelers looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
173.2 miles from Suffern, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed transit with more varied road conditions. With 54% of your travel occurring on highways, you will encounter stretches of consistent interstate cruising interspersed with different road types. The longest uninterrupted portion of the journey is a 134.6-mile segment on NY 17, which serves as a major connector for your drive. Expect the road's personality to shift as you transition between the Thruway and regional routes, requiring you to adapt your driving pace accordingly. It is a functional route that demands steady attention while providing a blend of road experiences throughout the 346.5-mile duration.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 41 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NY 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 134.6 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 14.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 346.5 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 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 242.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
14.8 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
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 16
Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
7
16.3 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 17 West: Binghamton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NY 17 West: Binghamton
7
242.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 14m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
242.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 West: Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
8
345.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 14m in
Take the exit toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road
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 6
Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem R...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Suffern, NY to Amherst, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Albany along the way.
Albany
151.4 mi in
|
~3h 8m
|
via I 81
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 134.6 mi | 2h 46m |
| New York State Thruway | 112.1 mi | 2h 9m |
| I 81 | 39.3 mi | 46m |
| Clinton Street | 10.5 mi | 15m |
| East Lake Road | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| Chase Street | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| East Genesee Street | 7.3 mi | 13m |
| State Route 41 | 4.8 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 134.6 mi, about 2h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Suffern, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on Washington Avenue
40 ft
·
8 sec
·
Washington Avenue
2
Continue on Washington Avenue
114 ft
·
12 sec
·
Washington Avenue
3
Turn sharp left onto NY 59
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Lafayette Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 202; 59
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Orange Avenue
5
Continue on NY 59
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Orange Turnpike
Use the none lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 87 North: New York State Thruway
7
Merge onto I 87
13 mi
·
14 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
1.5 mi
·
3 min
Exit 16
Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on this road
152 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Toward NY 17 West: Binghamton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on NY 17
135 mi
·
2 hr 46 min
·
NY 17
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi
·
43 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 52
Toward NY 13: Cortland
15
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft
·
5 sec
·
Clinton Avenue
16
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Locust Avenue
17
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Albany Street
18
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
19
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi
·
15 min
·
Clinton Street
20
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Lake Road
21
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 41
22
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi
·
13 min
·
East Lake Road
23
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
East Lake Street
24
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi
·
13 min
·
East Genesee Street
25
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
North Fulton Street
26
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Arterial West
27
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Chase Street
Use the none lane.
28
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Auburn Road
29
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
NY 318
30
Continue on NY 318
319 ft
·
10 sec
·
NY 318
Use the right lane.
31
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
State Route 414
Use the right lane.
32
Continue on NY 414
217 ft
·
11 sec
·
Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
33
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Use the left lane.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Merge onto I 90
100 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the none lane.
36
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 50
Toward I 290: Niagara Falls
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on I 290
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Youngmann Expressway
Use the none lane.
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 6
Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Turn left onto NY 324
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
40
Turn left onto NY 263
469 ft
·
13 sec
·
Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
41
Arrive at destination
NY 263
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 7-hour and 17-minute drive, plan for at least two well-timed stops to break up the journey. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy for avoiding traffic fluctuations on the New York State Thruway and I-81. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $56 cost estimate can vary based on your vehicle's efficiency and current regional pricing. Since this is a single-day trip, your flexibility is a major asset; use the longest 134.6-mile stretch on NY 17 to set a comfortable cruise control pace once you clear the initial congestion. Prioritize your comfort by scheduling a rest break immediately after completing that long highway segment to stay refreshed for the remainder of the trip.
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 173.2 miles from Suffern, NY, or about 3h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.6 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 80 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.2 miles or 3h 34m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Amherst, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Suffern, 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 Suffern, NY
This is one driving day of about 346.5 miles and 7h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Suffern, 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 NY 17 for about 134.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 173.2 mi from Suffern, NY · 3h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
173 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 173.2 miles from Suffern, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 134.6 miles.
Arriving in Amherst, NY
The final approach into Amherst, 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 Amherst, 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
$56.41 one way
$112.82 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
121 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $61.13 | $122.26 |
| premium | $4.88 | $66.61 | $133.23 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $76.98 | $153.96 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.70
New York State Thruway
(112.1 mi)
$5.61
Orange Turnpike
(1.2 mi)
$0.09
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
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104 | 1 | $36.38 | $16.63 |
| Efficient EV | 86.6 | 0 | $30.32 | $13.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138.6 | 1 | $48.51 | $22.18 |
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
41 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
Amherst, NY
Evening in Amherst on Sunday
Local time
5:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
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
7h 17m 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 Suffern, NY to Amherst, NY covers 346.5 miles and takes about 7h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NY 17, New York State Thruway, I 81. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 173.2 miles from Suffern, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $56.41 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 26 significant decision points across 346.5 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 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 242.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Suffern, NY to Amherst, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Albany along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Amherst, NY
More trips to Amherst, NY
Explore more options from Suffern, NY or browse trips ending in Amherst, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.
Explore maps for Suffern, NY or Amherst, NY on MapSof.net.