Origin
Syracuse, NY
Afternoon in Syracuse on Sunday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Syracuse, NY to Auburn, NY
Drive Time
38m
Distance
28.3 mi
45 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 36m
★
6 AM
0h 39m
8 AM
0h 45m
10 AM
0h 41m
12 PM
0h 41m
3 PM
0h 41m
5 PM
0h 45m
8 PM
0h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Syracuse, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Auburn, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion through the Northeast, the 28.3-mile trip from Syracuse to Auburn is a highly efficient choice. You can expect to complete the journey in about 38 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $5, this route is as economical as it is fast. Because the drive is short, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Both cities are located within New York, keeping you firmly in the Northeast region for the duration of your transit. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a short getaway, this straightforward connection between the two cities is a practical and reliable way to travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
14.1 miles from Syracuse, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 88% of your time spent on major arteries like I-690, NY-695, and NY-5. You will spend the vast majority of your time at highway speeds, providing a consistent and efficient experience behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 20.8 miles on NY-5, which serves as the primary backbone of the journey. Because you are primarily utilizing highways rather than local roads, the drive feels direct and purposeful. You can anticipate a smooth, predictable rhythm as you transition between these main routes to reach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NY 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 20.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 5 and I 690. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Washington Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 28.3 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 0.1 miles (East Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.2 miles (I 690): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 690 West: Baldwinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 690 West: Baldwinsville
5
1.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 690
Merge onto I 690
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
4.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward NY 695, NY 5: Auburn
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 695, NY 5: Auburn
6
11.8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
NY 5
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 5 | 20.8 mi | 27m |
| I 690 | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| NY 695 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| East Washington Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South West Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Genesee Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| John Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South State Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
NY 5
— 20.8 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Syracuse, NY and Auburn, NY.
1
Start on US 11
507 ft
·
18 sec
·
South State Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto South West Street
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
South West Street
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 690 West: Baldwinsville
5
Merge onto I 690
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
I 690
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 6
Toward NY 695, NY 5: Auburn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on this road
0.7 mi
·
48 sec
·
this road
Exit 6
Toward NY 695, NY 5: Auburn
8
Continue on NY 695
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
NY 695
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Toward NY 5 West: Auburn
10
Merge onto NY 5
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
NY 5
11
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 5
16 mi
·
21 min
·
NY 5
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto John Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
John Street
13
Turn right onto East Genesee Street
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
East Genesee Street
14
Turn left onto NY 34; NY 38
20 ft
·
0 sec
·
South Street
15
Arrive at destination
NY 34; NY 38
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under 40 minutes, you do not need to worry about complex pacing or planning for rest stops. The lack of required stops gives you total control over your departure time, allowing you to avoid peak traffic hours if you prefer a quieter drive. Before heading out, ensure your tank has enough fuel for the 28.3-mile distance, even though your total fuel cost will likely stay around $5. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between I-690 and NY-5, as these highway interchanges are where most of your travel occurs. Leveraging the highway-heavy nature of this route makes it a simple, low-stress trip for any driver.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 14.1 miles from Syracuse, NY, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.8 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 28.3 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.1 miles or 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Syracuse, 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 Syracuse, NY
This is one driving day of about 28.3 miles and 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Syracuse, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on NY 5 for about 20.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.1 mi from Syracuse, NY · 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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
Arriving in Auburn, NY
The final approach into Auburn, 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 Auburn, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.61 one way
$9.21 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $4.99 | $9.99 |
| premium | $4.88 | $5.44 | $10.88 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.29 | $12.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.97 | $1.36 |
| Efficient EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.48 | $1.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.3 | 0 | $3.96 | $1.81 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Auburn, NY
Afternoon in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°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
2 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
38m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Syracuse, NY to Auburn, NY covers 28.3 miles and takes about 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NY 5, I 690, NY 695. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.1 miles from Syracuse, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.61 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 28.3 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 0.1 miles (East Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.2 miles (I 690): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Syracuse, NY to Auburn, NY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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