US Trip Planner

Scenic Drives in New York

Routes

60

Avg Distance

438 mi

Avg Drive

9h 15m

Destinations

56

Not every route in New York is memorable, but these 60 are. Each scores at least 7/10 for drive quality, meaning real elevation changes, scenic stretches, and roads that feel like more than just pavement between two points.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$4.51/gal

Diesel: $5.35/gal

Typical trip cost

$74–$89

One-way, ~438 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~153 kg

ICE vehicle, one-way average

Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-06-01

Climate through the year: New York

New York peaks at around 85°F in Jul and cools to 40°F / 28°F in Jan. Wettest month is Jul at ~4.6 in of rain.

Month	High °F	Low °F	Rain in	Snow in
Jan	40	28	3.6	8.8
Feb	42	30	3.2	10.1
Mar	50	36	4.3	5
Apr	62	46	4.1	0.4
May	71	55	4	—
Jun	80	64	4.5	—
Jul	85	70	4.6	—
Aug	83	69	4.6	—
Sep	76	62	4.3	—
Oct	65	51	4.4	0.1
Nov	54	42	3.6	0.5
Dec	44	34	4.4	4.9

Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for NY — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.

Planning Tips

Scenic routes often have fewer gas stations and services. Top off your tank before heading into mountainous or rural stretches.
Budget extra time for scenic drives — pulling over for views, photos, and short hikes is half the point.
Check weather conditions for mountain passes and high-elevation stretches, especially in shoulder seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

We rate routes on a 1-10 drive score based on elevation changes, road variety, and terrain diversity. The 60 routes listed here all score 7 or higher.

Current regular gas averages $4.51/gallon in New York (week of 2026-06-01). Diesel: $5.35/gallon. A typical one-way trip on these routes costs between $74 and $89. Source: US Energy Information Administration.

Drive times and distances come from OSRM routing over real OpenStreetMap road networks. Fuel costs use weekly US Energy Information Administration state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. EV charging data is sourced from NREL. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI (1991–2020 reference period). Hazard data comes from FEMA and USGS public feeds.

Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Top Scenic Routes

Buffalo, NY → Montauk, NY

491.3 mi 10h 38m Score: 8/10 ~$89 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +6 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Springs, NY

481.5 mi 10h 23m Score: 8/10 ~$87 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +6 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Amagansett, NY

479.8 mi 10h 19m Score: 8/10 ~$87 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +6 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Southold, NY → Amherst, NY

464.7 mi 9h 55m Score: 8/10 ~$84 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Tuckahoe, NY

464.1 mi 9h 48m Score: 8/10 ~$84 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Amherst, NY → Southampton, NY

463 mi 9h 47m Score: 8/10 ~$84 fuel

Through: Clyde → Mt Pocono → Milford +7 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Amherst, NY → Tuckahoe, NY

461.7 mi 9h 45m Score: 8/10 ~$83 fuel

Through: Clyde → Mt Pocono → Milford +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Laurel, NY

457.2 mi 9h 42m Score: 8/10 ~$83 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Portland, NY

456.9 mi 9h 52m Score: 7/10 ~$81 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

Amherst, NY → Hampton Bays, NY

455.9 mi 9h 35m Score: 8/10 ~$82 fuel

Through: Clyde → Mt Pocono → Milford +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → East Quogue, NY

455.3 mi 9h 36m Score: 8/10 ~$81 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Sheridan, NY

452.8 mi 9h 42m Score: 8/10 ~$82 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Riverside, NY

451.5 mi 9h 37m Score: 8/10 ~$80 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Riverhead, NY

450.5 mi 9h 28m Score: 8/10 ~$81 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Westfield, NY

450 mi 9h 40m Score: 7/10 ~$80 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

Brookhaven, NY → Oakfield, NY

445.5 mi 9h 25m Score: 8/10 ~$79 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Grand Island, NY

444.8 mi 9h 24m Score: 8/10 ~$80 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Islip, NY → Lewiston, NY

444 mi 9h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$79 fuel

Through: Cross Island Parkway North → Hempstead Avenue West → Grandstand +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Center Moriches, NY

442.8 mi 9h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$79 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Newfane, NY

442.6 mi 9h 31m Score: 8/10 ~$79 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +6 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Mastic Beach, NY

441.8 mi 9h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$78 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → North Collins, NY

440 mi 9h 21m Score: 8/10 ~$80 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Fredonia, NY → Smithtown, NY

439.3 mi 9h 21m Score: 8/10 ~$79 fuel

Through: New York City → Leonia → Teaneck +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Perrysburg, NY

439.3 mi 9h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$79 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Islip, NY → Ellington, NY

439.1 mi 8h 54m Score: 8/10 ~$79 fuel

Through: Cross Island Parkway North → Hempstead Avenue West → Grandstand +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Sound Beach, NY

436.7 mi 9h 11m Score: 8/10 ~$79 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Amherst, NY → Rocky Point, NY

436.6 mi 9h 11m Score: 8/10 ~$77 fuel

Through: Clyde → Mt Pocono → Milford +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Lackawanna, NY

432.7 mi 9h 6m Score: 8/10 ~$77 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Collins, NY

432.6 mi 9h 9m Score: 8/10 ~$77 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Port Jefferson Station, NY

432.1 mi 9h 2m Score: 8/10 ~$77 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Islip, NY → Pleasantville, NY

431.6 mi 9h 14m Score: 7/10 ~$77 fuel

Through: Cross Island Parkway North → Hempstead Avenue West → Grandstand +4 more

Arkwright, NY → Hempstead, NY

431.4 mi 8h 46m Score: 8/10 ~$78 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Babylon, NY → Westfield, NY

430.6 mi 9h 13m Score: 7/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Cross Island Parkway North → Hempstead Avenue West → Grandstand +4 more

Brookhaven, NY → West Seneca, NY

430.6 mi 9h 3m Score: 8/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Islip, NY → Brant, NY

430.5 mi 9h 9m Score: 8/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Cross Island Parkway North → Hempstead Avenue West → Grandstand +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Amherst, NY → Patchogue, NY

429.1 mi 9h 1m Score: 8/10 ~$78 fuel

Through: Clyde → Mt Pocono → Milford +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Amherst, NY → Selden, NY

428.4 mi 8h 59m Score: 8/10 ~$77 fuel

Through: Clyde → Mt Pocono → Milford +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Clarence, NY

428.2 mi 8h 57m Score: 8/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Babylon, NY → Stockton, NY

427.7 mi 9h 8m Score: 7/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Cross Island Parkway North → Hempstead Avenue West → Grandstand +4 more

Buffalo, NY → Head of the Harbor, NY

427.3 mi 9h Score: 8/10 ~$77 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Amherst, NY → Stony Brook, NY

427 mi 8h 59m Score: 8/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Clyde → Mt Pocono → Milford +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Falconer, NY

427 mi 9h 1m Score: 7/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

Islip, NY → North Tonawanda, NY

426.7 mi 8h 59m Score: 8/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Cross Island Parkway North → Hempstead Avenue West → Grandstand +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Amherst, NY → Sayville, NY

426.7 mi 8h 58m Score: 8/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Clyde → Mt Pocono → Milford +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Oakdale, NY

426.5 mi 8h 56m Score: 8/10 ~$77 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +6 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Jamestown, NY

425.5 mi 9h 1m Score: 7/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

Youngstown, NY → Hempstead, NY

425.2 mi 8h 56m Score: 8/10 ~$75 fuel

Through: Rochester → Clyde → Mt Pocono +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Amherst, NY → Centereach, NY

425 mi 8h 54m Score: 8/10 ~$77 fuel

Through: Clyde → Mt Pocono → Milford +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Amherst, NY → Bohemia, NY

423.9 mi 8h 53m Score: 8/10 ~$77 fuel

Through: Clyde → Mt Pocono → Milford +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Islip Terrace, NY

423.5 mi 8h 51m Score: 8/10 ~$77 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +6 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Islip, NY → Brighton, NY

423 mi 8h 54m Score: 8/10 ~$75 fuel

Through: Cross Island Parkway North → Hempstead Avenue West → Grandstand +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Elma Center, NY

422.6 mi 8h 53m Score: 8/10 ~$75 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Kings Park, NY

422.6 mi 8h 49m Score: 8/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Babylon, NY → Olcott, NY

421.2 mi 9h 5m Score: 8/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Cross Island Parkway North → Hempstead Avenue West → Grandstand +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Alabama, NY

421 mi 8h 51m Score: 8/10 ~$75 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Central Islip, NY

420.8 mi 8h 49m Score: 8/10 ~$75 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Islip, NY → Cheektowaga, NY

420 mi 8h 50m Score: 8/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Cross Island Parkway North → Hempstead Avenue West → Grandstand +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Babylon, NY → Clymer, NY

419.7 mi 8h 59m Score: 7/10 ~$74 fuel

Through: Cross Island Parkway North → Hempstead Avenue West → Grandstand +4 more

Islip, NY → Lackawanna, NY

419.7 mi 8h 48m Score: 8/10 ~$74 fuel

Through: Cross Island Parkway North → Hempstead Avenue West → Grandstand +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Islip, NY → Harris Hill, NY

419.4 mi 8h 46m Score: 8/10 ~$74 fuel

Through: Cross Island Parkway North → Hempstead Avenue West → Grandstand +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

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