Origin
Amherst, NY
Morning in Amherst on Tuesday
Local time
6:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Amherst, NY to Hudson, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 14m
Distance
317.3 mi
511 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 1m
★
6 AM
6h 14m
8 AM
6h 39m
10 AM
6h 23m
12 PM
6h 20m
3 PM
6h 24m
5 PM
6h 38m
8 PM
6h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Amherst, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Hudson, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Amherst to Hudson is 317.3 miles and takes about 6h 14m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, beginning in the Northeast region and ending in the same area. You'll spend most of your time on the New York State Thruway, making for a straightforward, albeit long, single-day drive. Given the duration, consider an early start to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. This route is a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two points in NY.
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
158.6 miles from Amherst, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 305.7 mi | 5h 53m |
| NY 9G | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| Youngmann Expressway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| State Highway 23 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Rip Van Winkle Bridge | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| CR 23B | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Rhinebeck-Hudson Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Millersport Highway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 305.7 mi, about 5h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, NY and Hudson, 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
35 mi
·
40 min
·
New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
Use the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 21
Toward NY 23: Catskill, Cairo
8
Continue on this road
519 ft
·
14 sec
·
this road
9
Keep slight left at fork
156 ft
·
11 sec
Toward Catskill, Hudson, Tannersville, Hunter, Windham
10
Turn left onto CR 23B
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
CR 23B
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Toward NY 23 East: Hudson
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on NY 23
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 23
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on NY 23
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Rip Van Winkle Bridge
14
Enter roundabout onto NY 9G; NY 23
192 ft
·
10 sec
·
Rhinebeck-Hudson Road
Toward Hudson, Taconic Parkway
15
Continue on NY 9G; NY 23
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
Rhinebeck-Hudson Road
Toward Hudson, Taconic Parkway
Use the left lane.
16
Take the exit onto NY 9G; NY 23B
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
NY 9G; NY 23B
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Warren Street
82 ft
·
3 sec
·
Warren Street
18
Arrive at destination
Warren Street
Trip Plan
Given this route can be completed in under 7 hours, it's a manageable one-day trip, so you can leave anytime that suits your schedule. Aiming for an early morning departure will give you ample time to reach Hudson and settle in before dark. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 300 miles on the New York State Thruway, so plan for one primary fuel and rest stop during that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the end of the Thruway, as services can become less frequent on the subsequent surface roads.
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 158.6 miles from Amherst, NY, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 305.7 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 70 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.6 miles or 3h 4m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hudson, 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 317.3 miles and 6h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 305.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
159 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 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 158.6 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 305.7 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 3.1 and 310.8 — 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
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
309.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 58m in
Take the exit toward NY 23: Catskill, Cairo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 21
Toward NY 23: Catskill, Cairo
7
310.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Catskill, Hudson, Tannersville, Hunter, Windham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Catskill, Hudson, Tannersville, Hunter,...
7
310.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 2m in
Take the exit toward NY 23 East: Hudson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward NY 23 East: Hudson
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.23 one way
$104.46 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
111 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $56.48 | $112.95 |
| premium | $4.92 | $61.50 | $123.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $70.06 | $140.11 |
Estimated Tolls: $15.29
New York State Thruway
(305.7 mi)
$15.29
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
$52
Tolls
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95.2 | 1 | $33.32 | $15.23 |
| Efficient EV | 79.3 | 0 | $27.76 | $12.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.9 | 1 | $44.42 | $20.31 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Destination
Hudson, NY
Morning in Hudson on Tuesday
Local time
6:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Springfield, NY
159 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
12 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 14m 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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 175.1
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 109.4
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 109.4
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 273.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with a 100% highway share. You'll cover 305.7 miles on the New York State Thruway before transitioning to surface roads like NY 9G. The Youngmann Expressway also plays a role in getting you onto the main thoroughfare. Expect consistent cruising for the vast majority of the trip, with the highway section offering a continuous driving experience before you reach the more local roads closer to your destination.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 305.7 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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
9/10
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 13 significant decision points across 317.3 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 274.7 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 309.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
844 ft
86 ft
Total Climb
501 ft
Total Descent
1,012 ft
Highest Point
844 ft
~22.7 mi in
Elevation Range
758 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 Hudson, 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 Hudson, NY
Full guide →Founded 1785
Hudson is a beautiful small former whaling city in Columbia County, part of New York's Hudson Valley.
Top landmarks
- • Hudson Historic District — historic district in Hudson, New York
- • Houses at 37–47 North Fifth Street — historic house
- • Rossman-Prospect Avenue Historic District — historic district in the 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 14m. Total distance: 317.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 14m 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 305.7 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $15.29 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Hudson, 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 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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; at 309.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hudson, 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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