This 154.5-mile journey from Amherst, NY, to Manlius, NY, is easily manageable in about 3 hours and 7 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. The route primarily utilizes the New York State Thruway, with some sections on Highbridge Road and Thompson Road. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, this drive through the Northeast region is quite economical. The drive is designed for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll find this trip to be a straightforward drive with minimal fuss.
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
77.2 miles from Amherst, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
140.8 mi
2h 42m
Highbridge Road
3.5 mi
5m
Thompson Road
2.5 mi
4m
Youngmann Expressway
2.4 mi
3m
Erie Boulevard East
1.9 mi
3m
East Genesee Street
1.2 mi
2m
Fayette Street
0.4 mi
1m
Millersport Highway
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 140.8 mi, about 2h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, NY and Manlius, 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
141 mi·2 hr 42 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 35Toward NY 298: Syracuse, East Syracuse
7
Continue on this road
450 ft·12 sec·this road
8
Enter roundabout onto NY 635
0.2 mi·15 sec·Thompson Road
9
Continue on NY 635
2.3 mi·4 min·Thompson Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto NY 5
1.9 mi·3 min·Erie Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
11
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5; NY 92
1.2 mi·2 min·East Genesee Street
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on NY 92
3.5 mi·5 min·Highbridge Road
13
Continue on NY 92
0.4 mi·1 min·Fayette Street
14
At end of road, turn left onto NY 92; NY 173
0.1 mi·19 sec·East Seneca Street
15
Arrive at destination
NY 92; NY 173
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, this drive is best suited for a single day. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your time at your destination. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $25, planning is straightforward. Pay attention to the transition from the New York State Thruway onto Highbridge Road and Thompson Road, as these are the points where the driving character shifts. This route is flexible, so you can adjust your departure time as needed.
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 77.2 miles from Amherst, NY, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.8 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 34 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.2 miles or 1h 30m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manlius, 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 154.5 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 140.8 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 10
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
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.
6
144.6 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward NY 298: Syracuse, East Syracuse
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 35
Toward NY 298: Syracuse, East Syracuse
5
145 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|NY 635 / Thompson Road
Enter roundabout onto NY 635 / Thompson Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
147.5 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|NY 5 / Erie Boulevard East
Turn left onto NY 5 / Erie Boulevard East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.43 one way
$50.86 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$27.50
$55.00
premium
$4.92
$29.95
$59.89
diesel
$5.61
$34.11
$68.22
Estimated Tolls: $7.04
New York State Thruway
(140.8 mi)$7.04
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
$25
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.1 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
46.4
0
$16.22
$7.42
Efficient EV
38.6
0
$13.52
$6.18
EV Truck/SUV
61.8
0
$21.63
$9.89
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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 16, 2026
Origin
Amherst, NY
Morning
in Amherst on Tuesday
Local time
10:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 to 22 mph84% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Manlius, NY
Morning
in Manlius on Tuesday
Local time
10:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Thompson, NY
77 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 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 7m 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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 106.5
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 111.9
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...
30 mi from route
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 154.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" profile for the majority of this trip, even though a significant portion is on the New York State Thruway. While the highway share is rated at 2 out of potentially higher numbers, indicating a blend of road types, the longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 140.8 miles on the Thruway. This suggests you'll experience a prolonged period of consistent highway driving before transitioning to more local roads. The overall feel is likely a mix of efficient highway travel and more engaging local road segments.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140.8 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 154.5 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 144.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Amherst, NY to Manlius, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Syracuse along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 154.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (2%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.8 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.04 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 144.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Women's Rights National Historical Park, Harriet Tubman National Historical Park and Fort Stanwix National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Manlius, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
