This 349.3-mile journey from Wesley Hills, NY, to Amherst, NY, is a substantial drive, estimated to take around 7 hours and 20 minutes. It's a manageable day trip if you're up for a full day behind the wheel, or you could easily break it up with an overnight stay. The route primarily utilizes the New York State Thruway and I-81, making it a mostly efficient drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $58, it's a fairly budget-friendly option for covering this distance within New York. You'll be traveling within the Northeast region for the entire trip.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
174.7 miles from Wesley Hills, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 36m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 20m. Total distance: 349.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 20m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, with 58% of it being highway driving. You'll encounter stretches on Long Mountain Parkway and the New York State Thruway, including one uninterrupted segment of 107.6 miles. While much of the drive will be on faster roads, the 'Mixed drive' profile suggests you might also navigate some more local or varied road conditions. The character of the drive will likely shift between efficient highway cruising and potentially more varied pacing as you progress through New York.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 39 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Long Mountain Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 107.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near US 202 / Route 202.
Driving Effort9/10
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 349.3 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 1.7 miles (US 202 / Route 202): Lane positioning matters here; at 245.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 245.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.7 mi into trip|~2m in|US 202 / Route 202
Turn right onto US 202 / Route 202
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
245.6 mi into trip|~5h 18m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
245.8 mi into trip|~5h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 West: Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
7
346 mi into trip|~7h 15m 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
348.2 mi into trip|~7h 18m 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...
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 Wesley Hills, NY to Amherst, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Albany along the way.
Albany
154.3 mi in|~3h 12m|via I 81
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Mountain Parkway
107.6 mi
2h 15m
New York State Thruway
99.6 mi
1h 55m
I 81
39.3 mi
46m
NY 17
33.7 mi
40m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
Chase Street
9.8 mi
11m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
8.9 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Long Mountain Parkway
— 107.6 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wesley Hills, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on NY 306
1.7 mi·2 min·State Highway 306
2
Turn right onto US 202
1.7 mi·2 min·Route 202
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Turn right onto NY 45
493 ft·15 sec·State Highway 45
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
5
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
8.9 mi·9 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 18Toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State Thruway
7
Enter roundabout onto US 6
375 ft·5 sec·Long Mountain Parkway
8
Continue on US 6
108 mi·2 hr 14 min·Long Mountain Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on NY 17
34 mi·40 min·NY 17
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
13
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
14
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
15
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
17
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
18
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
19
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
20
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
21
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
22
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
23
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
24
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
25
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
27
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
28
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
29
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
30
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
31
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
32
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
33
Merge onto I 90
100 mi·1 hr 55 min·New York State Thruway
34
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on I 290
1.8 mi·2 min·Youngmann Expressway
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Turn left onto NY 324
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
38
Turn left onto NY 263
469 ft·13 sec·Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
39
Arrive at destination
NY 263
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 20-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With two planned stops, you can break up the 349.3 miles into manageable segments. The longest stretch without a break is over 100 miles, so factor in time for rest and fuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the longer stretches, and remember the estimated fuel cost is $58. Given the duration, leaving before dawn will allow you to complete the trip comfortably within a single day.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 174.7 miles from Wesley Hills, NY, or about 3h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.6 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 77 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.7 miles or 3h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 9m
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 Wesley Hills, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wesley Hills, NY
This is one driving day of about 349.3 miles and 7h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Wesley Hills, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Long Mountain Parkway for about 107.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 174.7 mi from Wesley Hills, NY
· 3h 36m into the drive
The midpoint is around 174.7 miles from Wesley Hills, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Long Mountain Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 107.6 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 228.9
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 240.9
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.50 one way
$114.99 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg122 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$62.17
$124.35
premium
$4.92
$67.70
$135.40
diesel
$5.61
$77.12
$154.24
Estimated Tolls: $4.98
New York State Thruway
(99.6 mi)$4.98
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
$58
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
33 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
HondoGO Charging Station
Garnerville, New York
Other
1 DCFC
ViaLynk Charging Station
Goshen, New York
ViaLynk
1 DCFC
ChargeSmart EV Charging Station
Auburn, New York
Other
1 DCFC
EVolve NY Charging Station
Phelps, New York
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Williamsville, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Waterloo, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Williamsville, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Auburn, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 12
Other: 10
Electrify America: 4
EV Connect: 3
ViaLynk: 2
Tesla: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104.8
1
$36.68
$16.77
Efficient EV
87.3
0
$30.56
$13.97
EV Truck/SUV
139.7
1
$48.90
$22.36
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Wesley Hills, NY
Late night
in Wesley Hills on Friday
Local time
1:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Amherst, NY
Late night
in Amherst on Friday
Local time
1:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 to 22 mph84% chanceLive forecast
53°F
Union, NY
175 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
28 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
7h 20m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Wesley Hills, NY to Amherst, NY covers 349.3 miles and takes about 7h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Long Mountain Parkway, New York State Thruway, I 81. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 174.7 miles from Wesley Hills, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $57.50 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 349.3 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 1.7 miles (US 202 / Route 202): Lane positioning matters here; at 245.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 245.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Wesley Hills, NY to Amherst, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Albany along the way.
