Albany to Hornell is 258.6 miles and takes about 5h 7m via I 88 and Southern Tier Expressway, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within New York, traversing the Northeast region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway route that makes for a convenient one-day drive. If you're looking for a simple way to get from point A to point B without much fuss, this route will get you there efficiently.
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
129.3 miles from Albany, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 88
117.7 mi
2h 16m
Southern Tier Expressway
116.6 mi
2h 15m
I 90
15.7 mi
19m
NY 36
3.2 mi
4m
I 81
1.3 mi
1m
Henry Johnson Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Washington Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Central Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 88
— 117.7 mi, about 2h 16m
Traffic on I-88
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 17 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~564 veh/hr typical
· worst 664
Quietest
2 AM
~35 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 30 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany, NY and Hornell, NY.
1
Start on this road
30 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto NY 5
0.5 mi·1 min·Washington Avenue
3
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 5
0.1 mi·25 sec·Central Avenue
4
Turn right onto Henry Johnson Boulevard
0.8 mi·1 min·Henry Johnson Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 90: Buffalo, Boston
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 WestUse the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Merge onto I 90
5.1 mi·6 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
11 mi·12 min·I 90
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 25AToward I 88, NY 7: Schenectady, Binghamton
10
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
11
Continue on I 88
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 88
12
Merge onto I 81
1.3 mi·1 min·I 81
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Corning
14
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
99 mi·1 hr 55 min·Southern Tier Expressway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 86; NY 17
17 mi·19 min·Southern Tier Expressway
Toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Erie
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 34AToward NY 36 South: Hornell
17
Turn straight onto NY 36
3.2 mi·4 min·NY 36
18
Turn left onto Main Street
239 ft·14 sec·Main Street
19
Turn left onto Seneca Street
165 ft·7 sec·Seneca Street
20
Turn right
97 ft·7 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 7m estimated duration, you can comfortably start this drive anytime in the morning and arrive before dinner. With only one recommended stop and a 98% highway profile, you have a lot of flexibility in how you pace yourself. The longest stretch is over 117 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or when you see convenient service areas. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches of interstate like the one on I 88.
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 129.3 miles from Albany, NY, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.7 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 57 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.3 miles or 2h 34m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hornell, 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 258.6 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 I 88 for about 117.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 237.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|Henry Johnson Boulevard
Turn right onto Henry Johnson Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 90 West
5
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in|I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
17.9 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward I 88, NY 7: Schenectady, Binghamton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 25A
Toward I 88, NY 7: Schenectady, Binghamton
6
237.6 mi into trip|~4h 41m in|I 86; NY 17 / Southern Tier Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 86; NY 17 / Southern Tier Expressway toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Erie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Erie
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.83 one way
$83.67 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$45.40
$90.80
premium
$4.85
$49.36
$98.72
diesel
$4.80
$48.83
$97.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.6
0
$27.15
$12.41
Efficient EV
64.7
0
$22.63
$10.34
EV Truck/SUV
103.4
1
$36.20
$16.55
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Albany, NY
Late night
in Albany on Monday
Local time
2:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 3 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:46AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 18 at 2:52AM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Hornell, NY
Late night
in Hornell on Monday
Local time
2:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Areas Of Smoke
S 6 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:46AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 18 at 2:52AM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
80°F
Norwich, NY
129 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.
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 7m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Saratoga National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 8.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 98% highway, meaning you'll spend almost all of your time on major interstates. The longest continuous stretch without a significant break is 117.7 miles on I 88. Expect a consistent cruising experience with frequent exit ramps as you navigate these expressways. You'll notice the density of exits changes as you move between different highway segments.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.7 mi on I 88.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 88 and Southern Tier Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Henry Johnson Boulevard.
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 16 significant decision points across 258.6 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 0.6 miles (Henry Johnson Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,462 ft144 ft
Total Climb
1,740 ft
Total Descent
722 ft
Highest Point
1,462 ft
~55.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,318 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Albany, NY to Hornell, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Binghamton along the way.
Binghamton
17.9 mi in|~24m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 258.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 117.7 miles on I 88. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Hornell, 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. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Henry Johnson Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Saratoga National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hornell, NY before the return drive.
