This 245.1-mile drive from Syracuse to Scarsdale, NY, is designed as a single-day journey, estimated to take around 5 hours and 3 minutes. You'll be spending about 94% of your time on highways, making it a focused driving experience. The estimated fuel cost is $40, so keep that in mind for your budget. This route keeps you within the Northeast region, offering a straightforward trip through New York. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
122.6 miles from Syracuse, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 3m. Total distance: 245.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this trip, with 94% of the journey taking place on major interstates. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 129.9 miles on I 86, so be prepared for extended periods of high-speed driving. The route primarily utilizes I 86, I 81, and the Palisades Interstate Parkway. This setup means you'll experience a consistent pace for most of the drive, minimizing the need to navigate slower local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 86 is the longest continuous segment at about 129.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near NY 92 / East Genesee Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 245.1 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: near the start (NY 92 / East Genesee Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 76.1 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0 mi into trip|~0m in|NY 92 / East Genesee Street
Turn left onto NY 92 / East Genesee Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
76.1 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|I 86; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17 toward New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward New York
8
228.8 mi into trip|~4h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, White Plains, New York State Thruway South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 9E
Toward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, W...
9
238.5 mi into trip|~4h 52m in|I 287 / Cross Westchester Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 287 / Cross Westchester Expressway toward I 287 East: White Plains, Rye
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 8
Toward I 287 East: White Plains, Rye
8
241.6 mi into trip|~4h 56m in
Take the exit toward NY 100 South, NY 119 East: White Plains
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 5
Toward NY 100 South, NY 119 East: White Plains
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Syracuse, NY and Scarsdale, NY, road signs point toward New York, Palisades Interstate Parkway South, White Plains and New York State Thruway South.
New York
76.1 mi in|~1h 30m|via I 86; NY 17
Palisades Interstate Parkway South
213.1 mi in|~4h 20m
White Plains
228.8 mi in|~4h 38m
New York State Thruway South
228.8 mi in|~4h 38m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
129.9 mi
2h 40m
I 81
74.5 mi
1h 28m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
15.1 mi
17m
New York State Thruway
9.2 mi
12m
US 6
7.1 mi
9m
Cross Westchester Expressway
3.1 mi
4m
West Post Road
1.6 mi
3m
I-81
0.8 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 129.9 mi, about 2h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Syracuse, NY and Scarsdale, NY.
1
Start on US 11
10 ft·5 sec·South State Street
2
Turn left onto NY 92
0.3 mi·31 sec·East Genesee Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto Almond Street
0.3 mi·28 sec·Almond Street
4
Turn slight right
296 ft·5 sec
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 81 South
6
Merge onto I 81
2.0 mi·2 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I-81
0.8 mi·48 sec·I-81
8
Continue on I 81
73 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
130 mi·2 hr 40 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 6
7.1 mi·9 min·US 6
Exit 130AToward US 6: Bear Mountain
11
Enter roundabout
346 ft·4 sec
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
12
Continue
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
13
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 9EToward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, White Plains, New York State Thruway SouthUse the right lane.
15
Merge onto I 87; I 287
9.2 mi·12 min·New York State Thruway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 287
3.1 mi·4 min·Cross Westchester Expressway
Exit 8Toward I 287 East: White Plains, RyeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 5Toward NY 100 South, NY 119 East: White PlainsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto NY 100; NY 119
0.7 mi·1 min·Tarrytown Road
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on Main Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·Main Street
20
Turn right onto South Lexington Avenue
0.5 mi·56 sec·South Lexington Avenue
21
Turn right onto NY 22
1.6 mi·3 min·West Post Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
NY 22
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, departing early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Scarsdale area. With only one stop recommended, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break. Consider planning your fuel and rest stops strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 129.9 miles on I 86, so make sure you're comfortable with that duration before departing. Given the highway-centric nature, keeping your vehicle well-maintained is key for a smooth journey.
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 122.6 miles from Syracuse, NY, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.9 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 54 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.6 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scarsdale, 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 245.1 miles and 5h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 I 86 for about 129.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 122.6 mi from Syracuse, NY
· 2h 27m into the drive
The midpoint is around 122.6 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 I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.9 miles.
Arriving in Scarsdale, NY
The final approach into Scarsdale, 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 Scarsdale, 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.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 245.1
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 245.1
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 8.5
Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 245.1
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 245.1
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 245.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.35 one way
$80.69 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$43.63
$87.25
premium
$4.92
$47.51
$95.01
diesel
$5.61
$54.11
$108.23
Estimated Tolls: $0.46
New York State Thruway
(9.2 mi)$0.46
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
$40
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.5
0
$25.74
$11.76
Efficient EV
61.3
0
$21.45
$9.80
EV Truck/SUV
98
1
$34.31
$15.69
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Night
in Syracuse on Thursday
Local time
10:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scarsdale, NY
Night
in Scarsdale on Thursday
Local time
10:17 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
5h 3m 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 Scarsdale, NY covers 245.1 miles and takes about 5h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 86, I 81, Palisades Interstate Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 122.6 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 $40.35 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 16 significant decision points across 245.1 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: near the start (NY 92 / East Genesee Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 76.1 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Syracuse, NY and Scarsdale, NY, road signs point toward New York, Palisades Interstate Parkway South, White Plains and New York State Thruway South.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
