This 210.2-mile drive from Syracuse to Rome, NY, will take approximately 4 hours and 54 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily be on State Highway 8, the New York State Thruway, and the Adirondack Northway, with about 65% of the journey on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $35 for this journey through the Northeast region. The route is mostly highway-focused, so plan for steady progress rather than leisurely sightseeing. With only one recommended stop, it's a relatively straightforward transit between these New York locations.
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
105.1 miles from Syracuse, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Drive Character
The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 65% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience stretches of higher-speed travel, particularly on the New York State Thruway and Adirondack Northway. State Highway 8 offers a significant uninterrupted stretch of 63.5 miles, which may provide a slightly different driving feel compared to the interstate. While not a winding scenic byway, the progression through these main arteries offers a consistent and predictable driving experience for most of the 210.2 miles.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 42 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 8 is the longest continuous segment at about 63.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 8 and New York State Thruway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 210.2 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 29 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
32.3 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the exit toward NY 365: Verona, Rome
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 33
Toward NY 365: Verona, Rome
6
178.6 mi into trip|~4h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 9, NY 73: Keene, Keene Valley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 30
Toward US 9, NY 73: Keene, Keene Valley
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 Rome, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Keene Valley along the way.
Keene Valley
178.6 mi in|~4h 5m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Highway 8
63.5 mi
1h 29m
New York State Thruway
25.8 mi
29m
Adirondack Northway
25.4 mi
29m
State Highway 365
22.3 mi
31m
State Highway 9N
17.1 mi
26m
NY 365
11.6 mi
15m
State Highway 73
11.5 mi
16m
Adirondack Trail
9.7 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
State Highway 8
— 63.5 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Syracuse, NY and Rome, 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
26 mi·29 min·New York State Thruway
14
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 33Toward NY 365: Verona, RomeUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto NY 365
12 mi·15 min·NY 365
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
17
Continue on NY 825
485 ft·16 sec·Wright Drive
18
Turn left onto King Pin Lane
0.3 mi·35 sec·King Pin Lane
19
At end of road, turn left onto NY 365
0.4 mi·43 sec·East Dominick Street
20
Continue on NY 365
0.8 mi·1 min·River Road
21
Turn left onto NY 365
3.7 mi·5 min·New Floyd Road
22
Continue on NY 365
3.3 mi·4 min·State Highway 365
23
Continue on NY 365
0.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
24
Continue on NY 365
3.7 mi·5 min·State Highway 365
25
Turn left onto NY 365
381 ft·10 sec·Mappa Avenue
26
Continue on NY 365
15 mi·21 min·State Highway 365
27
At end of road, turn left onto NY 8
35 mi·48 min·State Highway 8
28
Turn right onto NY 8; NY 30
9.7 mi·14 min·Adirondack Trail
29
Turn left onto NY 8
29 mi·40 min·State Highway 8
30
Turn left onto US 9
5.6 mi·9 min·US 9
31
Turn left onto Stone Bridge Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·Stone Bridge Road
32
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
33
Merge onto I 87
25 mi·29 min·Adirondack Northway
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 30Toward US 9, NY 73: Keene, Keene Valley
35
Turn left onto US 9
2.2 mi·2 min·US Highway 9
36
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 73
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 73
37
Continue on NY 9N; NY 73
1.8 mi·3 min·State Highway 9N
38
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 9N
6.0 mi·9 min·State Highway 9N
39
Continue on NY 9N
9.3 mi·13 min·State Highway 9N
40
Turn left onto College Street
506 ft·28 sec·College Street
41
Turn left onto Ausable Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Ausable Drive
42
Arrive at destination
Ausable Drive
Trip Plan
With a duration under 5 hours, this trip is best tackled in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving early to make the most of daylight, especially if you prefer less traffic. Plan for your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a town is 63.5 miles on State Highway 8, so ensure you're topped up before heading into that section. The estimated fuel cost is $35, which is a good baseline for your budget.
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 105.1 miles from Syracuse, NY, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.5 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 46 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.1 miles or 2h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rome, 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 210.2 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 State Highway 8 for about 63.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 105.1 mi from Syracuse, NY
· 2h 25m into the drive
The midpoint is around 105.1 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 State Highway 8 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.5 miles.
Arriving in Rome, NY
The final approach into Rome, 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 Rome, 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
$34.60 one way
$69.20 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$37.41
$74.83
premium
$4.92
$40.74
$81.48
diesel
$5.61
$46.41
$92.82
Estimated Tolls: $1.29
New York State Thruway
(25.8 mi)$1.29
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
$35
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.1
0
$22.07
$10.09
Efficient EV
52.6
0
$18.39
$8.41
EV Truck/SUV
84.1
1
$29.43
$13.45
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Syracuse, NY
Late night
in Syracuse on Thursday
Local time
1:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 10 mph67% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 5:45PM EDT until April 14 at 6:30PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 2:52PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Destination
Rome, NY
Late night
in Rome on Thursday
Local time
1:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°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
41 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
4h 54m 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 Syracuse, NY to Rome, NY covers 210.2 miles and takes about 4h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 8, New York State Thruway, Adirondack Northway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 105.1 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 $34.60 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 29 significant decision points across 210.2 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 Rome, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Keene Valley along the way.
