This 236.3-mile journey from Yonkers, NY, to Catharine, NY, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 11 minutes of driving time. With 85% of the route on highways, it's a straightforward drive focused on covering distance efficiently. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $39, making it a budget-friendly option for a day trip within New York State. You'll spend most of your time on Long Mountain Parkway and NY 17, transitioning to I-86 for a significant portion. This highway-focused profile means you can expect a relatively quick commute, perfect for when you need to get from point A to point B without many detours.
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
118.2 miles from Yonkers, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Yonkers is a city of 211,569 people (2020) in Westchester County. The third most populous city in New York state, Yonkers is a suburb of New York City and borders the Borough of the Bronx. Yonkers is known as the "City of Seven Hills," which are Park, Nodine, Ridge, Cross, Locust, Glen, and Church hills.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 236.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 236.3-mile trip, with 85% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll navigate primarily via Long Mountain Parkway and NY 17 before merging onto I-86. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a substantial 107.6 miles on Long Mountain Parkway, allowing for extended periods of steady driving. While predominantly highway, the transition between these main roads offers a sense of progression. This route is designed for efficiency, minimizing complex turns 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 40 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Mountain Parkway and NY 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Nepperhan Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 236.3 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: near the start (Nepperhan Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.1 miles (NY 9A / Saw Mill River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (I 87 / New York State Thruway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Nepperhan Avenue
Turn sharp right onto Nepperhan Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|NY 9A / Saw Mill River Road
Turn left onto NY 9A / Saw Mill River Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
3.3 mi into trip|~6m in|I 87 / New York State Thruway
Merge onto I 87 / New York State Thruway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
8
20 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain
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 13N
Toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain
6
35.5 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State Thruway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 18
Toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State T...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Yonkers, NY and Catharine, NY, road signs point toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain and New York State Thruway.
Palisades Parkway North
20 mi in|~28m
Bear Mountain
20 mi in|~28m
New York State Thruway
35.5 mi in|~47m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Mountain Parkway
107.6 mi
2h 15m
NY 17
33.7 mi
40m
I 86
21 mi
25m
New York State Thruway
16.6 mi
22m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
14.9 mi
17m
State Highway 224
11.2 mi
15m
State Highway 96
6.5 mi
9m
Spencer Road
4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Long Mountain Parkway
— 107.6 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yonkers, NY and Catharine, NY.
1
Start on US 9; NY 9A
181 ft·11 sec·South Broadway
2
Turn sharp right onto Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi·48 sec·Nepperhan Avenue
3
Keep slight left at fork onto Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi·56 sec·Nepperhan Avenue
4
Turn right onto NY 9A
0.1 mi·19 sec·Ashburton Avenue
5
Turn left onto NY 9A
1.4 mi·2 min·Saw Mill River Road
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on Tuckahoe Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Tuckahoe Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 87 North
8
Merge onto I 87
17 mi·22 min·New York State Thruway
Use the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 13NToward Palisades Parkway North, Bear MountainUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 18Toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State Thruway
12
Enter roundabout onto US 6
375 ft·5 sec·Long Mountain Parkway
13
Continue on US 6
108 mi·2 hr 14 min·Long Mountain Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on NY 17
34 mi·40 min·NY 17
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
21 mi·25 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·52 sec
Exit 64Toward NY 96: Owego
17
Turn left onto Lackawanna Avenue
0.3 mi·29 sec·Lackawanna Avenue
18
Turn right onto NY 434
0.2 mi·18 sec·Southside Drive
19
Turn right onto NY 96
0.3 mi·39 sec·Susquehanna River Bridge Road
20
Continue on Susquehanna River Bridge Road
81 ft·3 sec·Susquehanna River Bridge Road
21
Turn slight left onto NY 17C; NY 96
0.1 mi·21 sec·Court Street
22
Turn right onto NY 96
164 ft·10 sec·Main Street
23
Turn left onto NY 96
1.7 mi·3 min·North Avenue
24
Turn left onto NY 96
5.4 mi·7 min·State Highway 96
25
Continue on NY 96
2.3 mi·3 min·Owego Road
26
Continue on NY 96
0.4 mi·57 sec·Owego Street
27
Turn left onto NY 96
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
28
Turn left onto NY 96
0.1 mi·15 sec·Spencer Avenue
29
Continue on NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·Spencer Road
30
Continue on NY 96
2.4 mi·3 min·Candor Road
31
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 96
32
Continue on NY 96
0.3 mi·27 sec·Candor Road
33
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·2 min·East Tioga Street
34
Continue on NY 34
0.8 mi·1 min·Spencer-Van Etten Road
35
Continue on NY 34
1.6 mi·2 min·State Highway 34
36
Continue on NY 224
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 224
37
Turn left onto NY 13
0.2 mi·10 sec·State Highway 13
38
Turn right onto CR 14
3.8 mi·9 min·County Route 14
39
Turn right onto CR 15
75 ft·2 sec·County Route 15
40
Arrive at destination
CR 15
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour, 11-minute duration, this trip is comfortably manageable as a single-day excursion. To make the most of your drive, consider departing early to avoid potential traffic, especially if you're leaving Yonkers during a weekday. With the longest stretch being over 100 miles, plan for at least one stop for fuel and a break around the halfway point. The estimated fuel cost of $39 is a good baseline, but always check current prices. The 85% highway share means you'll have ample opportunities to maintain speed, but be mindful of speed limit changes as you move between Long Mountain Parkway, NY 17, and I-86.
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 118.2 miles from Yonkers, NY, or about 2h 31m 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 52 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.2 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Catharine, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Yonkers, 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 Yonkers, NY
This is one driving day of about 236.3 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Yonkers, 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 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 118.2 mi from Yonkers, NY
· 2h 31m into the drive
The midpoint is around 118.2 miles from Yonkers, 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 Catharine, NY
The final approach into Catharine, 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 Catharine, 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.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.90 one way
$77.79 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$42.06
$84.12
premium
$4.92
$45.80
$91.60
diesel
$5.61
$52.17
$104.34
Estimated Tolls: $0.83
New York State Thruway
(16.6 mi)$0.83
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
$39
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.9
0
$24.81
$11.34
Efficient EV
59.1
0
$20.68
$9.45
EV Truck/SUV
94.5
1
$33.08
$15.12
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Yonkers, NY
Evening
in Yonkers on Friday
Local time
8:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 6 to 9 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Catharine, NY
Evening
in Catharine on Friday
Local time
8:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
8 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
5h 11m 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 Yonkers, NY to Catharine, NY covers 236.3 miles and takes about 5h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Long Mountain Parkway, NY 17, I 86. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 118.2 miles from Yonkers, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.90 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 23 significant decision points across 236.3 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: near the start (Nepperhan Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.1 miles (NY 9A / Saw Mill River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (I 87 / New York State Thruway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Yonkers, NY and Catharine, NY, road signs point toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain and New York State Thruway.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
