The drive from Syracuse, NY to Clifton Park, NY covers 139.2 miles and takes about 2h 55m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New York State Thruway, NY 146, State Highway 146 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 116 miles on New York State Thruway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.91 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
69.6 miles from Syracuse, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 139.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 55m drive with frequent turns across 139.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New York State Thruway is the longest continuous segment at about 116 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 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 22 significant decision points across 139.2 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 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 6.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
3.4 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 635 North: Bridge Street, East Syracuse, Thompson Road North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NY 635 North: Bridge Street, East Syracu...
6
3.6 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 635 North: Thompson Road North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward NY 635 North: Thompson Road North
7
6.1 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 90 East: Albany
8
122.4 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward I 890, NY 5, NY 5S: Schenectady, Scotia
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 26
Toward I 890, NY 5, NY 5S: Schenectady, Scotia
6
139 mi into trip|~2h 55m in|US 9 / Halfmoon Parkway
Turn left onto US 9 / Halfmoon Parkway
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.
On the drive from Syracuse, NY to Clifton Park, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Scotia along the way.
Scotia
122.4 mi in|~2h 25m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
116 mi
2h 13m
NY 146
3.6 mi
5m
State Highway 146
2.7 mi
4m
I 690
2.4 mi
3m
Thompson Road
2.1 mi
3m
I 890
1.7 mi
2m
Erie Boulevard
1.6 mi
3m
Aqueduct Road
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 116 mi, about 2h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Syracuse, NY and Clifton Park, NY.
1
Start on US 11
0.2 mi·22 sec·South State Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto East Water Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East Water Street
3
Turn left onto South Crouse Avenue
352 ft·13 sec·South Crouse Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
5
Merge onto I 690
2.4 mi·3 min·I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·10 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward NY 635 North: Bridge Street, East Syracuse, Thompson Road NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward NY 635 North: Thompson Road North
9
Turn straight onto NY 635
2.1 mi·3 min·Thompson Road
Use the left lane.
10
Enter roundabout
406 ft·6 sec
Toward I 90
11
Continue
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 90
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 90 East: AlbanyUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 90
116 mi·2 hr 13 min·New York State Thruway
14
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 26Toward I 890, NY 5, NY 5S: Schenectady, ScotiaUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight
0.4 mi·55 sec
16
Continue on I 890
1.7 mi·2 min·I 890
17
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward NY 337
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
20
Continue on Erie Boulevard
1.0 mi·2 min·Erie Boulevard
21
Enter roundabout onto Erie Boulevard
89 ft·1 sec·Erie Boulevard
22
Continue on Erie Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Erie Boulevard
23
Turn right onto Maxon Road Extension
0.8 mi·2 min·Maxon Road Extension
24
Continue on Van Vranken Avenue
0.2 mi·24 sec·Van Vranken Avenue
25
Continue on CR 10
1.6 mi·2 min·Aqueduct Road
26
Enter roundabout onto NY 146
272 ft·4 sec·Balltown Road
27
Continue on NY 146
1.1 mi·1 min·Balltown Road
28
Turn slight right onto NY 146
3.6 mi·5 min·NY 146
29
Enter roundabout onto NY 146
92 ft·1 sec·State Highway 146
30
Continue on NY 146
2.7 mi·4 min·State Highway 146
31
Turn left onto US 9
0.2 mi·24 sec·Halfmoon Parkway
Use the left lane.
32
Turn left onto Old Route 146
75 ft·3 sec·Old Route 146
33
Arrive at destination
Old Route 146
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.6 miles from Syracuse, NY, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116 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 31 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.6 miles or 1h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clifton Park, 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 139.2 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Syracuse, 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 New York State Thruway for about 116 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69.6 mi from Syracuse, NY
· 1h 24m into the drive
The midpoint is around 69.6 miles from Syracuse, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 116 miles.
Arriving in Clifton Park, NY
The final approach into Clifton Park, 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 Clifton Park, 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.
Fort Stanwix National Monument
National Monument
For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes. When Eur...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 38.4
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 139.2
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.8
0
$14.62
$6.68
Efficient EV
34.8
0
$12.18
$5.57
EV Truck/SUV
55.7
0
$19.49
$8.91
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Syracuse, NY
Afternoon
in Syracuse on Friday
Local time
3:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clifton Park, NY
Afternoon
in Clifton Park on Friday
Local time
3:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
11 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
2h 55m 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 Clifton Park, NY covers 139.2 miles and takes about 2h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, NY 146, State Highway 146. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 69.6 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 $22.91 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 139.2 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 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 6.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Syracuse, NY to Clifton Park, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Scotia along the way.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
