Origin
Utica, NY
Evening in Utica on Sunday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Utica, NY to Syracuse, NY
Drive Time
1h 8m
Distance
54.7 mi
88 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 3m
★
6 AM
1h 8m
8 AM
1h 19m
10 AM
1h 12m
12 PM
1h 11m
3 PM
1h 13m
5 PM
1h 19m
8 PM
1h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Utica, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Syracuse, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
Connecting Utica to Syracuse is a straightforward 54.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 8 minutes. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, making it an ideal choice for a quick regional excursion within the Northeast. Budgeting approximately $9 for fuel covers the transit, which relies heavily on a combination of local Genesee Street and I-90 West. Because the entire route remains within New York state, you won't experience significant regional transitions, allowing for a consistent travel experience. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a day of exploration, the modest distance makes this an uncomplicated drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
27.3 miles from Utica, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 33m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While you will utilize I-90, the route maintains a practical feel that prioritizes local access over long-distance highway stretches. Because the highway share is 0 percent, you should prepare for a driving experience that requires more focus on navigation and turns than a typical high-speed sprint. The path remains consistent in its character, avoiding long, uninterrupted segments in favor of a more involved, hands-on driving experience. You will find that the road surface and pace demand your attention throughout the entire 54.7-mile duration.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 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 43.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 45.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 54.7 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 45.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
45.8 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Take the exit toward I 481: Syracuse, Oswego
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 34A
Toward I 481: Syracuse, Oswego
7
49.3 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Take the exit toward I 690 West: Syracuse, Fairgrounds
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 690 West: Syracuse, Fairgrounds
8
54.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward Townsend Street, Downtown
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 13
Toward Townsend Street, Downtown
7
54.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
North Townsend Street
Turn left onto North Townsend Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
54.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
US 11 / South State Street
Turn left onto US 11 / South State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Utica, NY and Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Oswego, Fairgrounds and Binghamton.
Oswego
45.8 mi in
|
~54m
Fairgrounds
46.5 mi in
|
~56m
Binghamton
46.5 mi in
|
~56m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 43.5 mi | 50m |
| I 690 | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| I 481 | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Genesee Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| South State Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Townsend Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Water Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Washington Lane | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 43.5 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Utica, NY and Syracuse, 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
43 mi
·
50 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 34A
Toward I 481: Syracuse, Oswego
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 481 South: Syracuse, Fairgrounds, Binghamton
8
Merge onto I 481
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
I 481
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 690 West: Syracuse, Fairgrounds
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on I 690
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
I 690
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 13
Toward Townsend Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto North Townsend Street
501 ft
·
16 sec
·
North Townsend Street
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto East Water Street
479 ft
·
16 sec
·
East Water Street
14
Turn left onto US 11
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South State Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip, you have the advantage of total scheduling flexibility. You won't need to plan for any mandatory stops, as the duration is manageable in one go. If you are starting from Utica, check local traffic patterns on Genesee Street before you head out to ensure a smooth exit. Keep your $9 fuel budget in mind, and consider topping off your tank before you leave if you prefer to avoid mid-trip fueling. The most practical approach is to treat this as a simple point-to-point transit, allowing you to arrive in Syracuse feeling refreshed and ready for your next plans.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 27.3 miles from Utica, NY, or about 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.5 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 54.7 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27.3 miles or 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Syracuse, 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 54.7 miles and 1h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Utica, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 43.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.3 mi from Utica, NY · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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
Arriving in Syracuse, NY
The final approach into Syracuse, 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 Syracuse, 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
$8.90 one way
$17.81 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $9.65 | $19.30 |
| premium | $4.88 | $10.52 | $21.03 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.15 | $24.30 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.17
New York State Thruway
(43.5 mi)
$2.17
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
$9
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.4 | 0 | $5.74 | $2.63 |
| Efficient EV | 13.7 | 0 | $4.79 | $2.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.9 | 0 | $7.66 | $3.50 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Evening in Syracuse on Sunday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
61°F
Adams, NY
27 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 8m 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 Syracuse, NY covers 54.7 miles and takes about 1h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, I 690, I 481. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.3 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 $8.90 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 54.7 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 45.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Utica, NY and Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Oswego, Fairgrounds and Binghamton.
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