Origin
Alden, NY
Late night in Alden on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alden, NY to Syracuse, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 43m
Distance
132.6 mi
213 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 33m
★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 5m
10 AM
2h 51m
12 PM
2h 49m
3 PM
2h 52m
5 PM
3h 4m
8 PM
2h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alden, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Syracuse, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 132.6-mile drive from Alden, NY, to Syracuse, NY, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 43 minutes. Your journey will primarily utilize the New York State Thruway, with segments on I-690 and Genesee Street as you approach Syracuse. With an estimated fuel cost of $22, this route is quite budget-friendly. You'll find the driving experience to be a turn-heavy local drive, suggesting a need for attention to navigation. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, this trip offers flexibility for departure times and potential stops.
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
66.3 miles from Alden, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 111.8 mi | 2h 9m |
| I 690 | 7.9 mi | 9m |
| Genesee Street | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Crittenden Road | 3.3 mi | 7m |
| Alleghany Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| West Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Genesee Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| South State Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 111.8 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alden, NY and Syracuse, NY.
1
Start on US 20
58 ft
·
5 sec
·
Broadway Street
2
Turn right onto Crittenden Road
3.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Crittenden Road
3
Turn right onto NY 33
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Genesee Street
4
Continue on NY 33
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
5
Turn left onto NY 77
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Alleghany Road
6
Take the exit
369 ft
·
9 sec
7
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
this road
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 90
112 mi
·
2 hr 9 min
·
New York State Thruway
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 39
Toward I 690, NY 690: Syracuse, Fulton
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 690 East: Fairgrounds, Syracuse
12
Continue on I 690
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto NY 5
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Genesee Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on NY 5
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
James Street
17
Turn right onto NY 5
317 ft
·
11 sec
·
Oswego Boulevard
18
Continue on NY 5
524 ft
·
18 sec
·
Erie Boulevard East
19
Turn right onto US 11
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
South State Street
Use the straight lane.
20
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 43-minute drive, you can comfortably depart at any time of day, as it’s not an excessively long journey. The estimated fuel cost of $22 makes it an economical choice, and with only one recommended stop, you can maintain good momentum. Pay close attention to navigation, especially as you approach Syracuse, due to the "turn-heavy local drive" profile. A specific tip for this route: familiarize yourself with the I-690 and Genesee Street segments before you leave, as these will be your final approach and might involve more complex intersections.
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 66.3 miles from Alden, NY, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.8 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 29 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.3 miles or 1h 23m 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 12m
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 Alden, 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 Alden, NY
This is one driving day of about 132.6 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Alden, 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 111.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.3 miles from Alden, 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 111.8 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 10.6 and 131.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
10.6 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 90 East: Albany
8
122.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m 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
123.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m 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
131.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m 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
131.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.83 one way
$43.65 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $23.60 | $47.20 |
| premium | $4.92 | $25.70 | $51.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.28 | $58.55 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.59
New York State Thruway
(111.8 mi)
$5.59
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
$22
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.8 | 0 | $13.92 | $6.36 |
| Efficient EV | 33.2 | 0 | $11.60 | $5.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53 | 0 | $18.56 | $8.49 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (65% 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
Syracuse, NY
Late night in Syracuse on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Thompson, NY
66 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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 43m 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.
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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 91.4
View on nps.gov
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 100.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that is predominantly local in character, with a "turn-heavy" profile that requires active navigation. While 6% of the route is on highways, the majority of your time will be spent on roads that demand more frequent adjustments. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 111.8 miles on the New York State Thruway, offering a period of more consistent travel. As you progress, the road will transition from more open stretches to a more involved local driving experience closer to your destination in Syracuse.
Only 6% 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: 111.8 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 around 10.6 miles in.
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 13 significant decision points across 132.6 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 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Alden, NY to Syracuse, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Fulton along the way.
Fulton
122.7 mi in
|
~2h 28m
About the Cities
Arriving in Syracuse, NY
Full guide →Founded 1848
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
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 43m. Total distance: 132.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.8 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.59 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. 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 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
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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