Alexandria Bay, NY to Yonkers, NY is 342.9 miles and takes about 6h 56m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York State, transitioning from the Northeast region downstate. Given its mostly surface road profile, expect a varied driving experience rather than continuous high-speed travel. With a recommended single day for the drive, you'll want to start early to make the most of daylight. This route offers a straightforward path for a day trip without extensive planning.
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
171.5 miles from Alexandria Bay, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
221.9 mi
4h 18m
State Highway 12
35.1 mi
46m
Bea Luck Road
19.8 mi
23m
State Route 37
15.9 mi
18m
Erwin Parkway
9.7 mi
11m
Van Allen Road
8.4 mi
9m
State Highway 26
8.4 mi
12m
Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 221.9 mi, about 4h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria Bay, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on Church Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·Church Street
2
Continue on NY 26
3.7 mi·5 min·State Highway 26
3
Continue on NY 26
4.7 mi·6 min·State Highway 26
4
At end of road, turn right onto NY 26; NY 37
2.6 mi·2 min·State Highway 37
5
Continue on NY 37
16 mi·18 min·State Route 37
6
Merge onto US 11
0.6 mi·39 sec·US 11
7
Enter roundabout onto US 11
204 ft·3 sec·Mill Street
8
Continue on US 11
1.4 mi·1 min·Mill Street
9
Continue on NY 3; NY 12
314 ft·7 sec·Public Square
10
Continue on NY 3; NY 12
1.7 mi·3 min·State Street
11
Turn right onto NY 12
2.4 mi·2 min·Gifford Street
12
Continue on NY 12
8.4 mi·9 min·Van Allen Road
13
Continue on NY 12
1.4 mi·1 min·State Highway 12
14
Continue on NY 12
0.6 mi·41 sec·Main Street
15
Continue on NY 12
0.6 mi·38 sec·High Street
16
Continue on NY 12
0.3 mi·22 sec·County Road 14
17
Continue on NY 12
11 mi·13 min·State Highway 12
18
Continue on NY 12
0.5 mi·1 min·Dayan Street
19
Turn right onto NY 12; NY 26
0.6 mi·1 min·South State Street
20
Continue on NY 12
0.5 mi·1 min·Utica Boulevard
21
Continue on NY 12
20 mi·23 min·Bea Luck Road
22
Continue on NY 12
0.8 mi·51 sec·State Highway 12
23
Continue on NY 12
9.7 mi·11 min·Erwin Parkway
24
Continue on NY 12
22 mi·30 min·State Highway 12
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
26
Merge onto NY 49
0.4 mi·26 sec·State Route 49
27
Continue on I 790; NY 5
0.2 mi·13 sec·I 790; NY 5
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 90
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 90 East
31
Merge onto I 90
84 mi·1 hr 36 min·New York State Thruway
32
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, BostonUse the slight right lane.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 87
19 mi·24 min·New York State Thruway
34
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
1.0 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 7AToward Saw Mill River Parkway SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi·10 min·Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward West Yonkers AvenueUse the slight right lane.
38
Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Yonkers Avenue
39
Continue on Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi·57 sec·Nepperhan Avenue
40
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A
229 ft·5 sec·South Broadway
Use the left lane.
41
Arrive at destination
US 9; NY 9A
Trip Plan
For this 342.9-mile drive, departing in the morning will give you ample time to reach Yonkers before evening. The recommended single day for this trip means you can afford to be flexible with stops. Plan for one significant stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to break up the 6h 56m estimated duration. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move from the New York State Thruway onto State Highway 12 and Bea Luck Road, as fuel availability might change. The $56 fuel estimate is a good baseline for your budget.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 171.5 miles from Alexandria Bay, NY, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 221.9 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 75 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.5 miles or 3h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yonkers, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alexandria Bay, 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 Alexandria Bay, NY
This is one driving day of about 342.9 miles and 6h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Alexandria Bay, 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 221.9 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 195.2 and 342.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
195.2 mi into trip|~4h in|New York State Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
6
332.4 mi into trip|~6h 41m 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
333.4 mi into trip|~6h 42m 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
7
341.6 mi into trip|~6h 53m in
Take the exit toward West Yonkers Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward West Yonkers Avenue
7
342.9 mi into trip|~6h 56m in|US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.02 one way
$120.04 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$65.04
$130.09
premium
$5.23
$70.61
$141.21
diesel
$6.18
$83.42
$166.83
Estimated Tolls: $11.09
New York State Thruway
(221.9 mi)$11.09
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
$60
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.9
1
$36.00
$16.46
Efficient EV
85.7
0
$30.00
$13.72
EV Truck/SUV
137.2
1
$48.01
$21.95
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Alexandria Bay, NY
Evening
in Alexandria Bay on Tuesday
Local time
6:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Clear
S 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Evening
in Yonkers on Tuesday
Local time
6:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Mostly Clear
N 3 mph0% chanceLive 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
1 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
6h 56m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 342.9
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 342.9
For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes. When Eur...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 106.4
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 342.9
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 342.9
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 342.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a 24% highway share, meaning you'll spend a significant portion on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on the New York State Thruway covers 221.9 miles. After this main highway segment, you'll transition to more varied road conditions. Be prepared for the increased number of exits and intersections common on surface roads as you approach your destination.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 221.9 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 195.2 miles in near New York State Thruway.
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 342.9 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 195.2 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 332.4 miles (I 87 / New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 333.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,338 ft86 ft
Total Climb
1,661 ft
Total Descent
1,842 ft
Highest Point
1,338 ft
~49 mi in
Elevation Range
1,252 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alexandria Bay, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South and Boston.
Yonkers is a city of 211,569 people (2020) in Westchester County. The third most populous city in New York state, Yonkers is a suburb of New York City and borders the Borough of the Bronx. Yonkers is known as the "City of Seven Hills," which are Park, Nodine, Ridge, Cross, Locust, Glen, and Church hills.
Top landmarks
•Untermyer Park — public garden
•Hudson River Museum — museum in Yonkers, N.Y.
•Glenview Mansion — historic house in New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 56m. Total distance: 342.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 56m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 221.9 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $11.09 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.
Yes — we found about 28 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 Yonkers, 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 195.2 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 332.4 miles (I 87 / New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 333.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Fort Stanwix National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Yonkers, NY before the return drive.
