This 147.6-mile journey from Amherst, NY, to Ithaca, NY, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 11 minutes to complete. You'll navigate primarily via I-290 East and the Youngmann Expressway, transitioning to I-90 East. With a fuel cost estimated at $24, this drive is quite budget-friendly for a day trip. The route offers a practical travel experience within the Northeast region, perfect for those looking for a straightforward trip between New York locations without the need for an overnight stay. Expect a relatively direct path with one recommended stop.
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
73.8 miles from Amherst, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
92.6 mi
1h 47m
State Highway 96
16.4 mi
23m
State Highway 89
10.1 mi
13m
Trumansburg Road
8.8 mi
13m
Ovid Street
2.8 mi
4m
Youngmann Expressway
2.4 mi
3m
Ernsberger Road
2.4 mi
4m
Townline Road
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 92.6 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, NY and Ithaca, 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 1-49Toward I 90 East: AlbanyUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 90
93 mi·1 hr 47 min·New York State Thruway
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·50 sec
Exit 42Toward NY 14: Geneva, LyonsUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
213 ft·5 sec
8
Merge onto NY 14
0.3 mi·28 sec·NY 14
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward Waterloo
10
Turn straight onto NY 96
6.2 mi·9 min·State Highway 96
11
Continue on NY 96
0.2 mi·17 sec·North Road
12
Turn right onto NY 96
0.9 mi·1 min·North Virginia Street
13
Continue on NY 96
0.3 mi·26 sec·Washington Street
14
Turn right onto NY 96
346 ft·17 sec·West River Street
15
Turn left onto NY 96
0.3 mi·38 sec·Fayette Street
16
Continue on NY 96
6.2 mi·8 min·State Highway 96
17
Turn left onto NY 336
1.8 mi·3 min·Townline Road
18
At end of road, turn right onto NY 414
2.8 mi·4 min·Ovid Street
19
Turn left onto CR 128
2.4 mi·4 min·Ernsberger Road
20
At end of road, turn right onto NY 89
10 mi·13 min·State Highway 89
21
Turn right onto CR 141
0.9 mi·1 min·County Road 141
22
Continue on CR 141A
1.5 mi·2 min·Powell Road
23
Turn left onto NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 96
24
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi·11 sec·Trumansburg Road
25
Continue on NY 96
1.4 mi·2 min·West Main Street
26
Continue on NY 96
8.7 mi·12 min·Trumansburg Road
27
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·2 min·Cliff Street
28
Continue on NY 96
1.1 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn right onto Parker Street
330 ft·16 sec·Parker Street
30
Turn right onto East Seneca Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·East Seneca Street
Use the straight lane.
31
Arrive at destination
NY 79
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 11-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in one day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aiming to leave Amherst in the morning will allow you to reach Ithaca with plenty of daylight. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, budgeting for gas is straightforward. Plan for your single recommended stop around the halfway point to break up the 147.6 miles. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, pay close attention to navigation, especially as you approach your destination in Ithaca, to ensure you're on the most efficient path.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.8 miles from Amherst, NY, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.6 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 32 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.8 miles or 1h 26m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ithaca, 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 147.6 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 92.6 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 147.5 — 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
96.4 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward NY 14: Geneva, Lyons
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 42
Toward NY 14: Geneva, Lyons
5
105.1 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|NY 96 / Fayette Street
Turn left onto NY 96 / Fayette Street
Navigation decision point
5
113.4 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|NY 414 / Ovid Street
At end of road, turn right onto NY 414 / Ovid Street
Navigation decision point
7
147.5 mi into trip|~3h 11m in|East Seneca Street
Turn right onto East Seneca Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.30 one way
$48.59 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$26.27
$52.54
premium
$4.92
$28.61
$57.22
diesel
$5.61
$32.59
$65.18
Estimated Tolls: $4.63
New York State Thruway
(92.6 mi)$4.63
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
$24
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.3
0
$15.50
$7.08
Efficient EV
36.9
0
$12.92
$5.90
EV Truck/SUV
59
0
$20.66
$9.45
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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 18, 2026
Origin
Amherst, NY
Morning
in Amherst on Tuesday
Local time
6:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
SE 6 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
Destination
Ithaca, NY
Morning
in Ithaca on Tuesday
Local time
6:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Thompson, NY
74 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
9 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
3h 11m 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 106.9
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 106.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The profile for this drive is 'turn-heavy local drive,' indicating that while you'll use major highways like I-290 East and I-90 East, a significant portion involves navigating local roads and interchanges. Although the highway share is 0%, suggesting a focus on non-interstate travel, the main roads listed are expressways, implying a good pace for much of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the 'turn-heavy' nature suggests frequent changes in direction and potentially varied road conditions as you transition between local and more arterial routes. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.6 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 147.6 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 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.1 miles (NY 96 / Fayette Street): Navigation decision point.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Amherst, NY and Ithaca, NY, road signs point toward Lyons and Waterloo.
Ithaca is a small city in the Finger Lakes region of central New York, at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake. In addition to being the home of Cornell University and Ithaca College, Ithaca is known for its several gorges and waterfalls, small eclectic shops and restaurants, and deep interest in politics.
Top landmarks
•Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art — art museum at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York
•Clinton House — former hotel in Ithaca, New York
•Andrew Dickson White House — Historic home on campus of Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 11m. Total distance: 147.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.6 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.63 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 Ithaca, 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 96.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.1 miles (NY 96 / Fayette Street): Navigation decision point.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Ithaca, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
