Origin
Albany, NY
Late night in Albany on Tuesday
Local time
4:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Albany, NY to Ardsley, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 45m
Distance
137.5 mi
221 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 35m
★
6 AM
2h 46m
8 AM
3h 7m
10 AM
2h 53m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 54m
5 PM
3h 6m
8 PM
2h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ardsley, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Albany to Ardsley is 137.5 miles and takes about 2h 45m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a local drive with plenty of turns, making it feel more engaging than a straight interstate run. Given the relatively short duration, it’s a manageable one-day journey that offers a good balance of highway and local road driving.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
68.8 miles from Albany, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 131.2 mi | 2h 33m |
| Saw Mill River Parkway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| I 787 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Ashford Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Broadway | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Pine Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Washington Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Eagle Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 131.2 mi, about 2h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany, NY and Ardsley, NY.
1
Start on this road
30 ft
·
4 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto NY 5
352 ft
·
10 sec
·
Washington Avenue
3
Turn left onto Eagle Street
156 ft
·
4 sec
·
Eagle Street
4
Turn slight right onto Pine Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Pine Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto Broadway
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Broadway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto Broadway
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Broadway
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 787 South
8
Merge onto I 787
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 787
9
Continue on I 787
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 787
Exit 1
Toward I 87 Toll: New York State Thruway
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1
11
Merge onto I 87
111 mi
·
2 hr 8 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 87
19 mi
·
24 min
·
New York State Thruway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 7A
Toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Saw Mill River Parkway
16
Take the exit
253 ft
·
7 sec
17
Turn straight onto Ashford Avenue
181 ft
·
5 sec
·
Ashford Avenue
18
Continue on Ashford Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Ashford Avenue
19
Turn left onto Park Avenue
88 ft
·
3 sec
·
Park Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Park Avenue
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under three hours, this is easily a same-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aiming to leave Albany in the morning should put you in Ardsley by midday, leaving your afternoon open. While the longest stretch on the New York State Thruway is substantial, keep an eye out for the transition points where the drive becomes more local, as this is where you'll want to be more attentive. Budgeting around $23 for fuel should cover the 137.5 miles.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.8 miles from Albany, NY, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.2 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 30 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.8 miles or 1h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ardsley, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Albany, 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 Albany, NY
This is one driving day of about 137.5 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Albany, 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 New York State Thruway for about 131.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.8 miles from Albany, 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 131.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 134.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
NY 5 / Washington Avenue
Turn right onto NY 5 / Washington Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Broadway
At end of road, turn right onto Broadway
Navigation decision point
6
2.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turn...
6
133.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
|
I 87 / New York State Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 / New York State Thruway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
134.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
Take the exit toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 7A
Toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.63 one way
$45.27 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $24.47 | $48.95 |
| premium | $4.92 | $26.65 | $53.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.36 | $60.72 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.56
New York State Thruway
(131.2 mi)
$6.56
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
$23
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.44 | $6.60 |
| Efficient EV | 34.4 | 0 | $12.03 | $5.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55 | 0 | $19.25 | $8.80 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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
Ardsley, NY
Late night in Ardsley on Tuesday
Local time
4:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
21 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
2h 45m 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.
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 137.5
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 137.5
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument
National Monument
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 137.5
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument
National Monument
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 137.5
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument
National Monument
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 137.5
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 137.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' with a highway share of about 30%, suggesting a good portion of your time will be on more winding, local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 131.2 miles, primarily on the New York State Thruway, offering a chance for steady progress before transitioning to more intricate sections. You'll likely experience a mix of faster highway driving and more engaging, varied road conditions as you approach your destination.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 131.2 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 early in the drive near NY 5 / Washington Avenue.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 137.5 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 (NY 5 / Washington Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Broadway): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in Albany, NY
Full guide →Founded 1686
Albany is the capital of New York. Albany is an interesting showcase of several centuries' worth of architectural styles, including the modernistic Empire State Plaza.
Top landmarks
- • New York State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of New York
- • Fort Orange — fort in New Netherland (now Albany, New York)
- • Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — historic cathedral in Albany, New York, United States
Arriving in Ardsley, NY
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 137.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 131.2 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.56 in tolls one way, starting with New York State Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Ardsley, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (NY 5 / Washington Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Broadway): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ardsley, NY before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.
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