Origin
Amherst, NY
Night in Amherst on Saturday
Local time
9:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 11m
Distance
436.6 mi
703 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$72
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Amherst, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Rocky Point, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Embarking on a journey from Amherst, NY, to Rocky Point, NY, covers a substantial 436.6 miles and will take approximately 9 hours and 11 minutes of driving time. This trip is best spread over two days, allowing for a more relaxed pace. You'll primarily navigate the New York State Thruway and I-81, with a portion on the Keystone Shortway. With an estimated fuel cost of $72, this Northeast to Northeast drive offers a practical way to traverse New York. Consider this route if you're looking for a well-defined path with a moderate highway share.
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
218.3 miles from Amherst, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 35m into the drive .
| 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 |
| Long Island Expressway | 30.3 mi | 41m |
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, NY and Rocky Point, NY.
Start on NY 263
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 290
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on NY 414
Turn left onto NY 318
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
Continue on US 20; NY 5
Turn right onto State Street
Turn left onto Dill Street
Continue on Loop Road
Turn left onto Genesee Street
Continue on US 20
Turn right onto NY 41
Continue on NY 41
Continue on NY 41
Continue on NY 41
Continue on NY 41
Turn right onto NY 281
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
Continue on I 84; I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right
Turn straight onto CR 56
Continue on CR 56
Continue on CR 56
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
Continue on I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95; US 1
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
Merge onto I 295
Continue on I 295
Continue on I 295
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
Continue on Express Drive South
Turn left onto NY 111
Continue on NY 111
Turn left onto NY 111
Turn slight right onto NY 347
Continue on NY 347
Continue on NY 347
Continue on NY 347
Continue on NY 25A
Continue on Main Street
Turn left onto Broadway
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 9-hour drive, splitting it into two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart early on your first day to maximize daylight hours and cover a good portion of the 436.6 miles. Plan for at least two stops to rest and refuel, keeping the estimated $72 fuel cost in mind. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, pay close attention to navigation, especially when transitioning between the New York State Thruway, I-81, and the Keystone Shortway. This will help you avoid any unexpected detours and ensure a smoother journey.
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.
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 96 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 218.3 miles or 4h 35m 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 218.3 miles or 4h 35m
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 7h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rocky Point, NY than in the middle of the route.
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 218 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Rocky Point, NY
Aim for roughly 218 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
218 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 Ramapo, NYNight 1
218 mi · about 4.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Ramapo, NY after about 218 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsA short stop after about 96 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 218.3 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 99.4 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 218 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 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.
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$71.87 one way
$143.73 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $77.71 | $155.42 |
| premium | $4.92 | $84.62 | $169.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $96.40 | $192.79 |
Estimated Tolls: $27.52
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
$72
Tolls
$28
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$229–$339
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 152.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 131 | 1 | $45.84 | $20.96 |
| Efficient EV | 109.2 | 1 | $38.20 | $17.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 174.6 | 2 | $61.12 | $27.94 |
Gas CO2
153 kg
EV CO2
51 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Amherst on Saturday
Local time
9:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Rocky Point on Saturday
Local time
9:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
49°F
Ramapo, NY
218 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.
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This route presents a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll experience a mix of road types rather than a continuous interstate cruise. While 44% of the journey is on highways, expect transitions between faster sections and more local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 99.4 miles on the New York State Thruway, offering a chance to settle in. Be prepared for the road to change character as you progress, requiring your attention to navigate various road conditions and speed limits throughout the 9-hour drive.
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.
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 40 significant decision points across 436.6 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 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Amherst, NY and Rocky Point, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.
Clyde
Mt Pocono
Milford
New York City
Leonia
Teaneck
George Washington Bridge Upper Level
Eastern Long Island
Amherst is a town in the Northtowns of Erie County, New York.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Solo Traveler
9h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
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