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Trip from Utica, NY to Amherst, NY

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

3h 46m

Distance

192.7 mi

310 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

50 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 34m ★
6 AM
3h 47m
8 AM
4h 12m
10 AM
3h 55m
12 PM
3h 53m
3 PM
3h 57m
5 PM
4h 11m
8 PM
3h 39m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Oneida County, New York, United States

Utica, NY

Wikimedia Commons

town in New York, United States

Amherst, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 192.7-mile drive from Utica to Amherst, NY, is easily manageable in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 46 minutes. You'll primarily be on the New York State Thruway, with a short stint on the Youngmann Expressway and Genesee Street near your destination. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $32, making it a budget-friendly journey. Given the relatively short duration and straightforward route, it's an ideal day trip within the Northeast region. You'll encounter one planned stop along the way, allowing for a brief break on this largely uninterrupted journey.

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

96.4 miles from Utica, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 46m. Total distance: 192.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (1%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' feel for a portion of this route, despite the high highway share of 100%. While the majority of the journey unfolds on the New York State Thruway, covering a significant stretch of 187.1 miles without interruption, the approach to Amherst involves local roads like Genesee Street. This means transitioning from a consistent highway pace to navigating city streets. The character shifts as you near your destination, requiring more attention to local traffic and turns.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 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 187.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 46m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2.3 miles (I 90 / New York State Thruway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
1.7 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 90 West
5
2.3 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 90 / New York State Thruway

Merge onto I 90 / New York State Thruway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
189.4 mi into trip | ~3h 41m in

Take the exit toward I 290: Niagara Falls

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 50 Toward I 290: Niagara Falls
8
191.6 mi into trip | ~3h 44m in

Take the exit toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road

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 6 Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem R...
5
191.8 mi into trip | ~3h 44m in | NY 324 / Sheridan Drive

Turn left onto NY 324 / Sheridan Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / right lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 187.1 mi 3h 36m
Youngmann Expressway 1.8 mi 2m
Genesee Street 1.3 mi 2m
Sheridan Drive 0.9 mi 1m
Millersport Highway <0.1 mi <1m
Washington Lane <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 187.1 mi, about 3h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Utica, NY and Amherst, NY.

1

Start on Washington Lane

63 ft · 10 sec · Washington Lane
2

Turn left onto Genesee Street

1.3 mi · 2 min · Genesee Street
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 90
4

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 West
5

Merge onto I 90

187 mi · 3 hr 36 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight lane.
6

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 36 sec
Exit 50 Toward I 290: Niagara Falls Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 290

1.8 mi · 2 min · Youngmann Expressway
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 6 Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Turn left onto NY 324

0.9 mi · 1 min · Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
10

Turn left onto NY 263

469 ft · 13 sec · Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
11

Arrive at destination

NY 263

Trip Plan

For this 192.7-mile trip, leaving early in the morning can help you avoid any potential local traffic as you enter Amherst. With a total duration of under four hours, you likely won't need more than one planned stop, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since the longest stretch on the Thruway is over 180 miles. The $32 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting. A specific tip for this route: be prepared for the transition from the open highway to the more urban environment of Genesee Street as you get closer to Amherst, as this is where the 'turn-heavy local drive' character becomes most apparent.

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 96.4 miles from Utica, NY, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 187.1 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 42 miles or 50m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 96.4 miles or 1h 53m 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 4m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Amherst, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Utica, 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 Utica, NY

This is one driving day of about 192.7 miles and 3h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Utica, 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 187.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 96.4 mi from Utica, NY · 1h 53m into the drive

city in Cayuga County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Auburn, NY

96 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

Bolivar, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Auburn, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 96.4 miles from Utica, 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 187.1 miles.

Arriving in Amherst, NY

The final approach into Amherst, 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 Amherst, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

EVolve NY Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 96.4

Phelps, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 13.8

Rome, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Utica, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EVlink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Utica, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887174544

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 110.1

Shortsville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 165.2

Corfu, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Utica, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Yorkville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

The Stanley Theatre

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Utica, New York

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+13157244000

Visit website

Lights on the Lake

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 55.1

Liverpool, New York

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13154536712

Visit website

Utica Zoo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Utica, New York

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+13157380472

Visit website

Skä•noñh Great Law of Peace Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 55.1

Liverpool, New York

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13154536767

Visit website

Utica Children's Museum

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Utica, New York

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+13158087529

Visit website

Playday Indoor Play and Parties

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 55.1

Liverpool, New York

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+13152148520

Visit website

Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 192.7

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 10:30 am–2:30 pm

+17168563858

Visit website

5 Wits Syracuse

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 55.1

Syracuse, New York

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+13159884001

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Women's Rights National Historical Park

Women's Rights National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 86.4
View on nps.gov
Fort Stanwix National Monument

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...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour Free near mile 13.3
View on nps.gov
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

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...

9 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 79.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.72 one way

$63.44 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 67 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $34.30 $68.60
premium $4.92 $37.35 $74.70
diesel $5.61 $42.55 $85.09

Estimated Tolls: $9.35

New York State Thruway (187.1 mi) $9.35

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

$32

Tolls

$9

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 67.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

50 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

EVolve NY Charging Station

Phelps, New York

Other

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Williamsville, New York

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Williamsville, New York

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Batavia, New York

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

New Hartford, New York

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

EV Connect Charging Station

Yorkville, New York

EV Connect

1 DCFC

Red E Charging Station

Yorkville, New York

Other

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Utica, New York

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint: 20 Other: 17 EV Connect: 7 Tesla: 3 Electrify America: 1 Blink: 1 Quick Charge: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 57.8 0 $20.23 $9.25
Efficient EV 48.2 0 $16.86 $7.71
EV Truck/SUV 77.1 0 $26.98 $12.33

Gas CO2

67 kg

EV CO2

23 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

Utica, NY

Night in Utica on Thursday

Local time

11:39 PM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Amherst, NY

Night in Amherst on Thursday

Local time

11:39 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

43°F

Auburn, NY

96 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

3 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 46m 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 Utica, NY to Amherst, NY covers 192.7 miles and takes about 3h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, Youngmann Expressway, Genesee Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 96.4 miles from Utica, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.72 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 46m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2.3 miles (I 90 / New York State Thruway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Utica, NY to Amherst, NY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Women's Rights National Historical Park, Fort Stanwix National Monument and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park.

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