Origin
Westbury, NY
Late night in Westbury on Friday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Westbury, NY to Amherst, NY
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
8h 18m
Distance
397 mi
639 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$65
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 11m
★
6 AM
8h 19m
8 AM
8h 34m
10 AM
8h 24m
12 PM
8h 23m
3 PM
8h 25m
5 PM
8h 33m
8 PM
8h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Westbury, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Amherst, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Planning a trip from Westbury, NY, to Amherst, NY? This drive covers 397 miles and is estimated to take about 8 hours and 18 minutes of pure driving time. With a highway share of 40%, you'll experience a mix of travel styles. Given the duration, this is best split over two days, with an estimated fuel cost of $65. You'll be traveling within the Northeast region, staying within New York State for the entire journey. Plan for around two stops to break up the drive.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
198.5 miles from Westbury, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
This route, primarily utilizing the New York State Thruway, I 81, and the Christopher Columbus Highway, has a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. While 40% of the journey is on highways, expect a significant portion to involve more varied road conditions and potentially slower speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 99.6 miles on the New York State Thruway. The road character shifts throughout, moving from more direct highway sections to areas with more frequent turns and local traffic.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 60 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 99.6 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 6.5 miles in.
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 43 significant decision points across 397 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 6.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 43 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
6.5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset, Searingtown
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 27
Toward Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset, Searingtow...
8
10.8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport
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 31N-S
Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge,...
10
11 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 31N
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone B...
8
14.4 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
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 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx,...
8
26.6 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
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.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Westbury, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Hackensack and Albany.
Upper Level
24.1 mi in
|
~35m
|
via I 95; US 1
Njtp South: Hackensack
26.6 mi in
|
~39m
Hackensack
29.2 mi in
|
~43m
Albany
201.9 mi in
|
~4h 10m
|
via I 81
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 99.6 mi | 1h 55m |
| I 81 | 97.3 mi | 1h 55m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 68.2 mi | 1h 20m |
| I 380 | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| Keystone Shortway | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| Clinton Street | 10.5 mi | 15m |
| East Lake Road | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| Chase Street | 9.8 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Westbury, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on Post Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Post Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward N West: New York
Use the left lane.
3
Merge onto N
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Northern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 27
Toward Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset, Searingtown
Use the slight right lane.
5
Turn right onto Shelter Rock Road
371 ft
·
18 sec
·
Shelter Rock Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
Turn left onto North Service Road
404 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Service Road
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 495 West
8
Merge onto I 495
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Long Island Expressway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 31N-S
Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 31N
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto CI
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
14
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
17
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
18
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
I 95 EXPR; NJTP
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 69
Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 80
68 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Keystone Shortway
28
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 293
Toward I 380 North: Scranton
29
Continue on I 380
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 380
Use the straight lane.
30
Merge onto I 81
58 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi
·
43 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
33
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 52
Toward NY 13: Cortland
34
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft
·
5 sec
·
Clinton Avenue
35
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Locust Avenue
36
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Albany Street
37
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
38
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi
·
15 min
·
Clinton Street
39
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Lake Road
40
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 41
41
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi
·
13 min
·
East Lake Road
42
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
East Lake Street
43
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi
·
13 min
·
East Genesee Street
44
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
North Fulton Street
45
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Arterial West
46
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Chase Street
Use the left lane.
47
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Auburn Road
48
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
NY 318
49
Continue on NY 318
319 ft
·
10 sec
·
NY 318
Use the right lane.
50
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
State Route 414
Use the right lane.
51
Continue on NY 414
217 ft
·
11 sec
·
Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
52
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Use the left lane.
53
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
Use the straight / right lanes.
54
Merge onto I 90
100 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
New York State Thruway
55
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 50
Toward I 290: Niagara Falls
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
56
Continue on I 290
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Youngmann Expressway
57
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.
58
Turn left onto NY 324
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
59
Turn left onto NY 263
469 ft
·
13 sec
·
Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
60
Arrive at destination
NY 263
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 8-hour, 18-minute drive, consider starting early to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to split it over two days. With 397 miles and a fuel cost around $65, pacing is key. Breaking the trip into two days is highly recommended, allowing for a more relaxed pace and about two stops. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, particularly before entering longer stretches like the 99.6-mile segment on the New York State Thruway, as services can be spaced out.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 198.5 miles from Westbury, NY, or about 4h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 87 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 198.5 miles or 4h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 198.5 miles or 4h 5m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 7m
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 Westbury, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Westbury, NY
Aim for roughly 199 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Amherst, NY
Aim for roughly 199 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Westbury, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 99.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 198.5 mi from Westbury, NY · 4h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
199 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Ramapo, NYOvernight Options
Night 1
199 mi · about 4.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Ramapo, NY after about 199 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 198.5 miles from Westbury, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 199 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.
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.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Amherst, NY with some flexibility left in the schedule.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.35 one way
$130.70 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
139 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $70.66 | $141.33 |
| premium | $4.92 | $76.95 | $153.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $87.65 | $175.31 |
Estimated Tolls: $27.81
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(99.6 mi)
$4.98
New Jersey Turnpike
(2 mi)
$0.28
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
$65
Tolls
$28
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$223–$333
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 119.1 | 1 | $41.68 | $19.06 |
| Efficient EV | 99.3 | 1 | $34.74 | $15.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 158.8 | 1 | $55.58 | $25.41 |
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Amherst, NY
Late night in Amherst on Friday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
199 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
2 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
8h 18m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Westbury, NY to Amherst, NY covers 397 miles and takes about 8h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 199 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 198.5 miles from Westbury, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $65.35 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 43 significant decision points across 397 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 6.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Westbury, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Hackensack and Albany.
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