Albion, NY to Syracuse, NY is 120.4 miles and takes about 2 hours 28 minutes via New York State Thruway and I-690, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a straightforward trip, primarily utilizing major highways, making it a good option for a quick, efficient journey. You'll find this route offers a practical way to cover the distance with minimal fuss, suitable for a single day of travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.2 miles from Albion, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
61.1 mi
1h 10m
Western Expressway
20.1 mi
26m
I 690
7.9 mi
9m
NY 531
7.5 mi
8m
Brockport-Spencerport Road
4.8 mi
5m
State Route 31
4.1 mi
4m
Holley Road
2.3 mi
2m
Brockport-Holley Road
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 61.1 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albion, NY and Syracuse, NY.
1
Start on NY 98
0.4 mi·49 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto NY 31
1.4 mi·1 min·East Avenue
3
Continue on NY 31
3.8 mi·4 min·State Route 31
4
Continue on NY 31
1.1 mi·1 min·Fancher Road
5
Turn straight onto NY 31
0.3 mi·18 sec·State Route 31
6
Continue on NY 31
2.3 mi·2 min·Holley Road
7
Continue on NY 31
0.5 mi·36 sec·West Albion Street
8
Continue on NY 31
0.1 mi·7 sec·Wright Street
9
Continue on NY 31
408 ft·5 sec·Public Square
10
Continue on NY 31
382 ft·5 sec·Mechanic Street
11
Continue on NY 31
0.5 mi·1 min·State Street
12
Continue on NY 31
1.6 mi·2 min·Brockport-Holley Road
13
Continue on NY 31
1.0 mi·1 min·West Avenue
14
Turn right onto NY 19 Truck; NY 31
1.5 mi·1 min·Redman Road
15
Turn left onto NY 19 Truck; NY 31
1.2 mi·1 min·Fourth Section Road
16
Continue on NY 31
4.8 mi·5 min·Brockport-Spencerport Road
17
Continue on NY 531
7.5 mi·8 min·NY 531
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 490 East: Rochester
19
Merge onto I 490
20 mi·26 min·Western Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
21
Merge onto I 90
61 mi·1 hr 10 min·New York State Thruway
22
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 39Toward I 690, NY 690: Syracuse, FultonUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 690 East: Fairgrounds, Syracuse
24
Continue on I 690
7.9 mi·9 min·I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward DowntownUse the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward DowntownUse the slight right lane.
27
Turn left onto NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·West Genesee Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on NY 5
0.1 mi·23 sec·James Street
29
Turn right onto NY 5
317 ft·11 sec·Oswego Boulevard
30
Continue on NY 5
524 ft·18 sec·Erie Boulevard East
31
Turn right onto US 11
0.2 mi·25 sec·South State Street
Use the straight lane.
32
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 28 minutes, this trip is easily achievable in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Syracuse comfortably. With only 120.4 miles, you don't need to worry about splitting the drive, offering flexibility in your departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 61.1-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway, as services can sometimes be spaced out on these longer highway segments.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 60.2 miles from Albion, NY, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.1 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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.2 miles or 1h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Syracuse, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Albion, 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 Albion, NY
This is one driving day of about 120.4 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Albion, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 61.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 110.5 and 120.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
110.5 mi into trip|~2h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 690, NY 690: Syracuse, Fulton
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 39
Toward I 690, NY 690: Syracuse, Fulton
6
111.2 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 690 East: Fairgrounds, Syracuse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 690 East: Fairgrounds, Syracuse
6
119.3 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Take the exit toward Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown
8
119.5 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown
6
120.3 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|US 11 / South State Street
Turn right onto US 11 / South State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.82 one way
$39.64 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$21.43
$42.86
premium
$4.92
$23.34
$46.67
diesel
$5.61
$26.58
$53.17
Estimated Tolls: $3.06
New York State Thruway
(61.1 mi)$3.06
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
$20
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.1
0
$12.64
$5.78
Efficient EV
30.1
0
$10.54
$4.82
EV Truck/SUV
48.2
0
$16.86
$7.71
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Albion, NY
Late night
in Albion on Sunday
Local time
12:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Late night
in Syracuse on Sunday
Local time
12:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 17 at 3:52PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
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
23 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 28m 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.
Women's Rights National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 78.9
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 91.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents a mixed driving experience, with 33% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Western Expressway and I-690, but the New York State Thruway will carry you for the longest uninterrupted segment of 61.1 miles. Expect a relatively fast pace for a significant portion of your journey, allowing you to cover ground quickly. The profile suggests a blend of highway speeds and potentially some slightly more varied road conditions as you approach your destination.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.1 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 110.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 120.4 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 110.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Albion, NY to Syracuse, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Fulton along the way.
Syracuse is a city in Central New York. With a population of 149,000 in city proper and 662,000 in its metro area (2020), Syracuse is the fifth largest city in the state of New York, and the third largest in Upstate New York.
Top landmarks
•Oncenter War Memorial Arena — arena in Syracuse, New York
•Everson Museum of Art — art museum in Syracuse, New York
•Niagara Mohawk Building — historic commercial building in New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 120.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m 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 61.1 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.06 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 Syracuse, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 110.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Women's Rights National Historical Park and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. 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 Syracuse, NY before heading back.
