This 211-mile drive from Syracuse, NY, to Woodbury, NY, will take approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes, making it a manageable one-day road trip. The route is entirely focused on highways, primarily utilizing I-86 and I-81, with a portion on State Route 32. With a fuel cost estimated at $35, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. The drive is straightforward and efficient, perfect for those who prefer to cover distance quickly. Given its relatively short duration and highway-centric nature, no overnight stops are typically needed, allowing for maximum flexibility.
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
105.5 miles from Syracuse, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Syracuse is a city in Central New York. With a population of 149,000 in city proper and 662,000 in its metro area (2020), Syracuse is the fifth largest city in the state of New York, and the third largest in Upstate New York.
Top landmarks
•Oncenter War Memorial Arena — arena in Syracuse, New York
•Everson Museum of Art — art museum in Syracuse, New York
•Niagara Mohawk Building — historic commercial building in New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 211 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (100%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for this entire 211-mile journey, with 100% of the drive taking place on major roadways like I-86 and I-81. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch at 130.4 miles on I-86, offering a consistent pace. While primarily interstate driving, the inclusion of State Route 32 might introduce slight variations in scenery or traffic patterns as you approach your destination. This route is designed for efficient travel, minimizing complexities and maximizing forward momentum.
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.
I 86 is the longest continuous segment at about 130.4 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 211 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 0.8 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.1 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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.
5
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in|I 81
Merge onto I 81
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
9
206.5 mi into trip|~4h 11m in|NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward NY 17, NY 32: Newburgh, Suffern
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 131
Toward NY 17, NY 32: Newburgh, Suffern
8
206.7 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 32: Newburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward NY 32: Newburgh
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 Woodbury, NY, road signs begin pointing toward New York along the way.
New York
76.1 mi in|~1h 30m|via I 86; NY 17
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
130.4 mi
2h 40m
I 81
74.5 mi
1h 28m
State Route 32
4.1 mi
8m
I-81
0.8 mi
<1m
Almond Street
0.3 mi
<1m
East Genesee Street
0.3 mi
<1m
NY 17
0.2 mi
<1m
Falls Lane
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 130.4 mi, about 2h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Syracuse, NY and Woodbury, 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
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.2 mi·28 sec·NY 17
Exit 131Toward NY 17, NY 32: Newburgh, SuffernUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
213 ft·8 sec
Toward NY 32: NewburghUse the left lane.
12
Turn left onto NY 17
181 ft·3 sec·Averell Avenue
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on NY 32
4.1 mi·8 min·State Route 32
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Turn left onto Falls Lane
349 ft·25 sec·Falls Lane
15
Arrive at destination
Falls Lane
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour and 20-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential midday traffic, especially as you get closer to Woodbury. Since this is a highway-focused route with a longest stretch of 130.4 miles, plan for one brief stop around the halfway point for fuel or a quick stretch. The estimated fuel cost of $35 is quite reasonable, so keeping your tank topped off won't be a significant concern. Keep an eye out for signage indicating the transition from I-86 to I-81 and then to State Route 32 to ensure you stay on track.
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 105.5 miles from Syracuse, NY, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130.4 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 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.5 miles or 2h 6m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodbury, 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 211 miles and 4h 20m.
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 I 86 for about 130.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 105.5 mi from Syracuse, NY
· 2h 6m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 7.3
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.3
0
$22.15
$10.13
Efficient EV
52.8
0
$18.46
$8.44
EV Truck/SUV
84.4
1
$29.54
$13.50
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 15, 2026
Origin
Syracuse, NY
Late night
in Syracuse on Saturday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Woodbury, NY
Late night
in Woodbury on Saturday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
39°F
Walton, NY
106 mi in
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
15 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 20m 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 Woodbury, NY covers 211 miles and takes about 4h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 86, I 81, State Route 32. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 105.5 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 $34.73 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 9 significant decision points across 211 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 0.8 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.1 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Syracuse, NY to Woodbury, NY, road signs begin pointing toward New York along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Harriet Tubman National Historical Park.
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.
