Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Amherst, NY to Esopus, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 41m
Distance
342.5 mi
551 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 30m
★
6 AM
6h 42m
8 AM
7h 6m
10 AM
6h 50m
12 PM
6h 48m
3 PM
6h 51m
5 PM
7h 5m
8 PM
6h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Amherst, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Esopus, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Amherst, NY to Esopus, NY is 342.5 miles and takes about 6h 41m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. The majority of your drive will be on the New York State Thruway, offering a straightforward path. Given the duration and distance, it's a manageable one-day trip, but plan for a full day of driving.
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
171.3 miles from Amherst, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 328.2 mi | 6h 19m |
| Broadway | 7.2 mi | 11m |
| Youngmann Expressway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Colonel Chandler Drive | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Millersport Highway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Wurts Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Old US 9W | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 328.2 mi, about 6h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, NY and Esopus, NY.
1
Start on NY 263
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
Millersport Highway
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 290 E
3
Merge onto I 290
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Youngmann Expressway
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 1-49
Toward I 90 East: Albany
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 90
271 mi
·
5 hr 13 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway
57 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
Use the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 19
Toward NY 28: Kingston, Rhinecliff Bridge
8
Keep slight left at fork
329 ft
·
8 sec
9
Enter roundabout onto I 587; NY 28
352 ft
·
4 sec
·
Colonel Chandler Drive
10
Continue on I 587; NY 28
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Colonel Chandler Drive
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 587; NY 28
234 ft
·
9 sec
·
Colonel Chandler Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Enter roundabout onto NY 32
40 ft
·
0 sec
·
Broadway
13
Continue on NY 32
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Broadway
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn straight onto McEntee Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
McEntee Street
15
Turn left onto Wurts Street
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Wurts Street
16
Continue on Kingston-Port Ewen Suspension Bridge
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Kingston-Port Ewen Suspension Bridge
17
Continue on Old US 9W
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Old US 9W
18
Turn right onto US 9W
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Broadway
19
Turn slight left onto Main Street
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Main Street
20
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 41m drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to the New York City metropolitan area. With a longest stretch of 328.2 miles on the New York State Thruway, you'll want to plan for at least one stop for fuel and a break. The total fuel cost is estimated at $61, so factor that into your budget. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, as services can be spaced out on longer highway segments.
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 171.3 miles from Amherst, NY, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 328.2 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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.3 miles or 3h 19m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Esopus, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Amherst, 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 Amherst, NY
This is one driving day of about 342.5 miles and 6h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Amherst, 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 328.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
171 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 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 171.3 miles from Amherst, 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 328.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Scottsville Travel Plaza
0 mi from route
Clifton Springs Travel Plaza
0 mi from route
DeWitt Travel Plaza
0 mi from route
Seneca Travel Plaza
0 mi from route
Warners Travel Plaza
0 mi from route
Indian Castle Travel Plaza
0 mi from route
Guilderland Travel Plaza
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
I-90 Eastbound Parking/Rest Area
0 mi from route
I-90 Westbound Parking/Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area I-87 (South Bound)
0 mi from route
Ulster Travel Plaza
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Malden Service Area
0.1 mi from route
Pembroke Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Chittenango Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Port Byron Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Iroquois Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Ontario Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pattersonville Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Clarence Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Schuyler Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Mohawk Valley Welcome Center
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Junius Ponds Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Oneida Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Mohawk Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.9 mi from route
Plaza 23 Truck Stop
1.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 334 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1-49
Toward I 90 East: Albany
5
3.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 90 / New York State Thruway
Merge onto I 90 / New York State Thruway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
274.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 18m 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 mi into trip
|
~6h 24m in
Take the exit toward NY 28: Kingston, Rhinecliff Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 19
Toward NY 28: Kingston, Rhinecliff Bridge
6
334 mi into trip
|
~6h 28m in
|
I 587; NY 28 / Colonel Chandler Drive
Keep slight right at fork onto I 587; NY 28 / Colonel Chandler Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.79 one way
$121.57 round trip
$4.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
120 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.85 | $65.34 | $130.69 |
| premium | $5.24 | $70.64 | $141.29 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $72.14 | $144.28 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.41
New York State Thruway
(328.2 mi)
$16.41
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
$61
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$102–$127
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.8 | 1 | $35.96 | $16.44 |
| Efficient EV | 85.6 | 0 | $29.97 | $13.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 137 | 1 | $47.95 | $21.92 |
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.
Origin
Amherst, NY
Evening in Amherst on Wednesday
Local time
8:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Light Rain Likely
SW 5 mph
59% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 24 at 7:24PM EDT until May 25 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Esopus, NY
Evening in Esopus on Wednesday
Local time
8:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Light Rain
0 mph
86% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 24 at 7:24PM EDT until May 25 at 9:00PM 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
8 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
6h 41m 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.
Fort Stanwix National Monument
National Monument
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...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 177.2
View on nps.gov
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
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 106.3
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 118.1
View on nps.gov
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 259.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive involves 100% highway travel for the first 328.2 miles, primarily on the New York State Thruway. After this long stretch, you'll transition to surface roads, including Broadway and the Youngmann Expressway, for the remaining miles. Expect a consistent highway pace for most of the trip, with urban merging likely as you approach your destination.
Only 1% 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: 328.2 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 3.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
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 342.5 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 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles (I 90 / New York State Thruway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 274.7 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
865 ft
129 ft
Total Climb
529 ft
Total Descent
997 ft
Highest Point
865 ft
~24.5 mi in
Elevation Range
735 ft
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 Amherst, NY to Esopus, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Boston along the way.
Boston
274.7 mi in
|
~5h 18m
|
via New York State Thruway
About the Cities
Starting in Amherst, NY
Full guide →Amherst is a town in the Northtowns of Erie County, New York.
Top landmarks
- • Entranceway at Main Street at Roycroft Boulevard — residential landscape feature in Amherst, New York state, USA
- • Entranceways at Main Street at Lamarck Drive and Smallwood Drive — residential landscape feature in Amherst, New York state, USA
Arriving in Esopus, NY
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Slabsides — historic house in New York, United States
- • Kingston–Port Ewen Suspension Bridge — bridge in Ulster County, 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 6h 41m. Total distance: 342.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 41m 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 328.2 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.41 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 41 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 Esopus, 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 41 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles (I 90 / New York State Thruway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 274.7 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Stanwix National Monument, Women's Rights National Historical Park and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Esopus, NY before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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