Origin
Amherst, NY
Morning in Amherst on Sunday
Local time
7:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Amherst, NY to Port Washington, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 13m
Distance
392.5 mi
632 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$65
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 6m
★
6 AM
8h 14m
8 AM
8h 29m
10 AM
8h 19m
12 PM
8h 18m
3 PM
8h 20m
5 PM
8h 29m
8 PM
8h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Amherst, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Port Washington, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Amherst, NY to Port Washington, NY is 392.5 miles and takes about 8h 13m via New York State Thruway, I 81, and Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $65 and enough daylight to finish in a day if you start early. This trip stays within New York, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a drive that feels more like a series of connected local journeys rather than a straight shot, with a significant portion involving turns. Given the 8-hour duration and the nature of the roads, it's best planned as an overnight trip, especially if you want to enjoy the drive without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
196.2 miles from Amherst, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 99.4 mi | 1h 54m |
| I 81 | 98.8 mi | 1h 57m |
| Keystone Shortway | 80 mi | 1h 37m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| East Lake Road | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| State Highway 41 | 9.8 mi | 13m |
| Clark Street Road | 9.6 mi | 11m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 99.4 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, NY and Port Washington, 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
99 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
New York State Thruway
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft
·
7 sec
8
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
State Route 414
9
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
NY 318
Use the left lane.
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Auburn Road
11
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi
·
11 min
·
Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft
·
12 sec
·
State Street
13
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Dill Street
14
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft
·
16 sec
·
Loop Road
15
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Genesee Street
16
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
West Genesee Street Road
17
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Lake Street
18
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi
·
13 min
·
East Lake Road
19
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 41
20
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Lake Road
21
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 41
22
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North West Street
23
Take the ramp
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the left lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
25
Merge onto I 81
45 mi
·
54 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
Use the straight lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 6
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford
Use the straight lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 380
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
30
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
31
Merge onto I 80
80 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level
Use the slight right lane.
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
Use the slight right lane.
35
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 70A
Toward Leonia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft
·
9 sec
·
Degraw Avenue
37
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Continue on CR 56
469 ft
·
13 sec
·
Main Street
39
Take the ramp
472 ft
·
12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
40
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Take the exit
312 ft
·
4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
42
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
44
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
46
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6B
Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
48
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
49
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 5
Toward NY 25A: Northern Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Continue on Clearview Expressway
457 ft
·
17 sec
·
Clearview Expressway
53
Turn left onto NY 25A
5.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Northern Boulevard
Use the left lane.
54
Turn left onto Plandome Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Plandome Road
Use the left lane.
55
Continue on North Plandome Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
North Plandome Road
56
Turn right onto Murray Avenue
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Murray Avenue
57
Arrive at destination
Murray Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 8-hour drive, consider splitting it over two days to make the most of the "turn-heavy local drive" experience. Aim to depart early to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to complete it in a single day. With two recommended stops, you'll have opportunities to rest and refuel. Pay close attention to your navigation as you approach your destination, as the route involves more local roads and turns. The estimated fuel cost is $65, so budget accordingly and check your fuel levels before departing, particularly before longer stretches like the 99.4 miles on the New York State Thruway.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 196.2 miles from Amherst, NY, or about 4h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 86 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 196.2 miles or 4h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 196.2 miles or 4h 9m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Washington, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Amherst, NY
Aim for roughly 196 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Port Washington, NY
Aim for roughly 196 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Amherst, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 99.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
196 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Vestal, NYOvernight Options
Night 1
196 mi · about 4.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Vestal, NY after about 196 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 196.2 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 99.4 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 196 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.
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 375 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 368.2 — 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
103.1 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
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 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
253.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 17m in
|
US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
368 mi into trip
|
~7h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
368.2 mi into trip
|
~7h 33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.61 one way
$129.22 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
137 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $69.86 | $139.72 |
| premium | $4.92 | $76.07 | $152.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $86.66 | $173.32 |
Estimated Tolls: $27.52
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(99.4 mi)
$4.97
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
$65
Tolls
$28
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$222–$332
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 117.8 | 1 | $41.21 | $18.84 |
| Efficient EV | 98.1 | 1 | $34.34 | $15.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 157 | 1 | $54.95 | $25.12 |
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (66% 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
Port Washington, NY
Morning in Port Washington on Sunday
Local time
7:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
8h 13m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 121.8
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 108.3
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 365.4
View on nps.gov
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 379
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument
National Monument
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 365.4
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument
National Monument
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 365.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you won't be on a single interstate for the entire 392.5 miles. While 41% of the drive is on highways like the New York State Thruway and I-81, the overall feel is more varied. You'll encounter stretches that require more attention to navigation, interspersed with faster highway segments. The longest uninterrupted highway stretch is 99.4 miles on the New York State Thruway, providing a decent period of steady driving before you transition to other road types.
Only 41% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
57 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.4 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 3.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 37 significant decision points across 392.5 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 103.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
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 Port Washington, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.
Clyde
103.1 mi in
|
~2h
Mt Pocono
253.4 mi in
|
~5h 17m
|
via US 6
Milford
254.2 mi in
|
~5h 18m
|
via I 84; I 380
New York City
368 mi in
|
~7h 33m
Leonia
368.2 mi in
|
~7h 33m
Teaneck
368.2 mi in
|
~7h 33m
George Washington Bridge Upper Level
370.5 mi in
|
~7h 37m
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 Port Washington, NY
Full guide →Port Washington is a hamlet in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
8h 13m 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 99.4 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 196 miles on day one.
Expect about $27.52 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. 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 Port Washington, 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 2 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 103.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Women's Rights National Historical Park and General Grant National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Port Washington, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Port Washington, NY
More trips to Port Washington, NY
Explore more options from Amherst, NY or browse trips ending in Port Washington, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.