This 126.5-mile drive from Albany to Briarcliff Manor, NY, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 38 minutes. Primarily utilizing the New York State Thruway and US 9, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Northeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, it’s an economical option for a weekend excursion or a quick weekday transfer. The drive is mostly highway, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B without extensive detours. Consider this a practical and efficient way to travel between these two New York locations.
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
63.3 miles from Albany, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
81.8 mi
1h 34m
US 9
16.8 mi
21m
US 6
13.9 mi
21m
I 84
9.3 mi
11m
I 787
1.7 mi
2m
Broadway
0.5 mi
1m
Pine Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Washington Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 81.8 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany, NY and Briarcliff Manor, 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 1Toward 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
82 mi·1 hr 34 min·New York State Thruway
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·52 sec
Exit 17Toward I 84, NY 17K, NY 300: Scranton, Newburgh, Stewart Airport
13
Continue on this road
485 ft·11 sec·this road
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 84 East: Danbury
15
Merge onto I 84
9.3 mi·11 min·I 84
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 46Toward US 9: Poughkeepsie, PeekskillUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
345 ft·10 sec
Toward US 9 South: PeekskillUse the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Merge onto US 9
17 mi·21 min·US 9
19
Enter roundabout onto US 6; US 9; US 202
201 ft·2 sec·US 6; US 9; US 202
Toward Peekskill
20
Continue on US 6; US 9; US 202
0.2 mi·10 sec·US 6; US 9; US 202
Toward Peekskill
21
Continue on US 6; US 9; US 202
14 mi·21 min·US 6; US 9; US 202
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi·26 sec
Toward Pleasantville Road
23
At end of road, turn right onto Pleasantville Road
60 ft·1 sec·Pleasantville Road
24
Arrive at destination
Pleasantville Road
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 2.5-hour drive, flexibility is key. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, so consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the rush hour in either Albany or the NYC metro area. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to pull over when needed for a break or fuel, but the longest stretch without major changes is 81.8 miles on the Thruway, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the Briarcliff Manor area, as services can sometimes be more spread out on certain stretches of US 9.
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 63.3 miles from Albany, NY, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.8 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 28 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.3 miles or 1h 16m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Briarcliff Manor, 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 126.5 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 81.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 95.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
85 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 84, NY 17K, NY 300: Scranton, Newburgh, Stewart Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 17
Toward I 84, NY 17K, NY 300: Scranton, Newburgh...
6
85.7 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 84 East: Danbury
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 84 East: Danbury
8
95.3 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward US 9: Poughkeepsie, Peekskill
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 46
Toward US 9: Poughkeepsie, Peekskill
8
95.6 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 9 South: Peekskill
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Toward US 9 South: Peekskill
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.82 one way
$41.65 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$22.52
$45.03
premium
$4.92
$24.52
$49.04
diesel
$5.61
$27.93
$55.86
Estimated Tolls: $4.09
New York State Thruway
(81.8 mi)$4.09
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
$21
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.9
0
$13.28
$6.07
Efficient EV
31.6
0
$11.07
$5.06
EV Truck/SUV
50.6
0
$17.71
$8.10
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Albany, NY
Morning
in Albany on Tuesday
Local time
7:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 2 to 8 mph67% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 7:20PM EDT until April 16 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 7:15PM EDT until April 16 at 7:30PM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
Destination
Briarcliff Manor, NY
Morning
in Briarcliff Manor on Tuesday
Local time
7:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 6 to 9 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 7:20PM EDT until April 16 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 7:15PM EDT until April 16 at 7:30PM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
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
7 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 38m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 126.5
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 126.5
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
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...
30 mi from route
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 126.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is a mixed one, with about 33% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion on the New York State Thruway, including a longest stretch of 81.8 miles, which allows for steady progress. As you transition to US 9 and US 6, expect a change in pace with more local traffic and potentially some traffic lights, offering a different driving experience. This blend of high-speed highway and more community-oriented roads defines the journey.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.8 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 2.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 126.5 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: at 2.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Albany, NY and Briarcliff Manor, NY, road signs point toward Newburgh, Stewart Airport and Peekskill.
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
Briarcliff Manor is a charming village in Westchester County, New York situated on the Hudson River, and is home to 7,600 people (2020). It has a very small and walkable downtown with a large density of shops and restaurants, and is very nature-oriented. Residents enjoy the sidewalk dining culture and the abundant hiking and cycling available.
Briarcliff Manor is located (50 km) north of New York City, with much of its population commuting into the city during the week. Although close to the city, long gone are skyscrapers and the concrete jungle, in Briarcliff Manor there are more trees then people, and the tallest building is only five stories!
Top landmarks
•Beechwood Estate
•All Saints Episcopal Church — historic Episcopal church at 96 and 201 Scarborough Rd. in Briarcliff Manor, Wes...
•Scarborough Historic District — historic district in Briarcliff Manor, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 126.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (33%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.8 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.09 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 Briarcliff Manor, 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: at 2.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Saratoga National Historical Park (4 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 Briarcliff Manor, NY before heading back.
