Origin
Syracuse, NY
Late night in Syracuse on Friday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Syracuse, NY to University Heights, NY
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
5h 3m
Distance
250.9 mi
404 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 50m
★
6 AM
5h 4m
8 AM
5h 31m
10 AM
5h 13m
12 PM
5h 11m
3 PM
5h 15m
5 PM
5h 29m
8 PM
4h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Syracuse, NY
Wikimedia Commons
University Heights, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
This 250.9-mile journey from Syracuse, NY, to University Heights, NY, will take approximately 5 hours and 3 minutes to complete. Primarily a highway-focused drive, it's well-suited for a single-day trip, saving you the need for an overnight stay. With an estimated fuel cost of around $41, this route offers a straightforward drive through the Northeast region. You'll be spending a significant portion of your time on major interstates, making for a relatively efficient transit between these two New York locations. Consider this a practical option when you need to cover ground 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
125.5 miles from Syracuse, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 3m. Total distance: 250.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 250.9-mile trip, with 63% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-81 and I-380. The Keystone Shortway also plays a role in connecting these segments. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 127.9 miles on I-81, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While the profile is largely highway, be prepared for the transition between these main arteries as you progress toward your destination. The character of the drive remains consistently geared towards efficient travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 127.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 129.5 miles in near US 6.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 250.9 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 129.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
129.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
244 mi into trip
|
~4h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
244.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
249.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany, Yankee Stadium
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 1C-D
Toward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany,...
8
249.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 87 North: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1C
Toward I 87 North: Albany
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 University Heights, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.
Mt Pocono
129.5 mi in
|
~2h 34m
|
via US 6
Milford
130.2 mi in
|
~2h 35m
|
via I 84; I 380
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 127.9 mi | 2h 31m |
| Keystone Shortway | 80 mi | 1h 37m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 5.5 mi | 5m |
| I 84 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| I 95 EXPR | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Fort Lee Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| US 6 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 127.9 mi, about 2h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Syracuse, NY and University Heights, 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 right at fork onto I 81
53 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 6
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 380
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
14
Merge onto I 80
80 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 70A
Toward Leonia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft
·
9 sec
·
Degraw Avenue
20
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on CR 56
469 ft
·
13 sec
·
Main Street
22
Take the ramp
472 ft
·
12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
23
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
312 ft
·
4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
25
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
27
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 1C-D
Toward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany, Yankee Stadium
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1C
Toward I 87 North: Albany
Use the slight right lane.
31
Merge onto I 87
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Major Deegan Expressway
32
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 8
Toward West 179th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on West 179th Street
485 ft
·
29 sec
·
West 179th Street
34
Turn left onto Sedgwick Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Sedgwick Avenue
35
Turn right onto West 183rd Street
508 ft
·
22 sec
·
West 183rd Street
36
Keep slight right at fork onto West 183rd Street
38 ft
·
1 sec
·
West 183rd Street
37
Arrive at destination
West 183rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, starting your drive from Syracuse earlier in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. While the route features only one designated stop point, plan for additional brief breaks as needed, especially during the longest stretch of 127.9 miles on I-81. The estimated fuel cost of $41 is a good baseline, but monitoring your fuel gauge is always wise, particularly before heading into longer highway segments. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience.
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 125.5 miles from Syracuse, NY, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.9 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 55 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.5 miles or 2h 29m 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 University Heights, 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 250.9 miles and 5h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 81 for about 127.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 125.5 mi from Syracuse, NY · 2h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 125.5 miles from Syracuse, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 127.9 miles.
Arriving in University Heights, NY
The final approach into University Heights, 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 University Heights, 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
$41.30 one way
$82.60 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $44.66 | $89.32 |
| premium | $4.92 | $48.63 | $97.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.40 | $110.79 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
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
$41
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.3 | 0 | $26.34 | $12.04 |
| Efficient EV | 62.7 | 0 | $21.95 | $10.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.4 | 1 | $35.13 | $16.06 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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.
Destination
University Heights, NY
Late night in University Heights on Friday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°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
10 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 University Heights, NY covers 250.9 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 81, Keystone Shortway, I 380. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 125.5 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 $41.30 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 26 significant decision points across 250.9 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 129.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Syracuse, NY and University Heights, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.
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