Amherst, NY to Rome, NY is 348.7 miles and takes about 7h 31m via I 290 E, I 90 East, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within New York, moving from the Buffalo area eastward across the state. Expect a fairly straightforward drive for the most part, as it primarily uses major interstate highways for much of the distance. With two planned stops, you can break up the 7.5-hour drive comfortably and still arrive well before evening.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
174.4 miles from Amherst, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
167.1 mi
3h 13m
State Highway 8
63.5 mi
1h 29m
Adirondack Northway
25.4 mi
29m
State Highway 365
22.3 mi
31m
State Highway 9N
17.1 mi
26m
NY 365
11.6 mi
15m
State Highway 73
11.5 mi
16m
Adirondack Trail
9.7 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 167.1 mi, about 3h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, NY and Rome, 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
167 mi·3 hr 13 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 33Toward NY 365: Verona, RomeUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto NY 365
12 mi·15 min·NY 365
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
9
Continue on NY 825
485 ft·16 sec·Wright Drive
10
Turn left onto King Pin Lane
0.3 mi·35 sec·King Pin Lane
11
At end of road, turn left onto NY 365
0.4 mi·43 sec·East Dominick Street
12
Continue on NY 365
0.8 mi·1 min·River Road
13
Turn left onto NY 365
3.7 mi·5 min·New Floyd Road
14
Continue on NY 365
3.3 mi·4 min·State Highway 365
15
Continue on NY 365
0.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
16
Continue on NY 365
3.7 mi·5 min·State Highway 365
17
Turn left onto NY 365
381 ft·10 sec·Mappa Avenue
18
Continue on NY 365
15 mi·21 min·State Highway 365
19
At end of road, turn left onto NY 8
35 mi·48 min·State Highway 8
20
Turn right onto NY 8; NY 30
9.7 mi·14 min·Adirondack Trail
21
Turn left onto NY 8
29 mi·40 min·State Highway 8
22
Turn left onto US 9
5.6 mi·9 min·US 9
23
Turn left onto Stone Bridge Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·Stone Bridge Road
24
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
25
Merge onto I 87
25 mi·29 min·Adirondack Northway
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 30Toward US 9, NY 73: Keene, Keene Valley
27
Turn left onto US 9
2.2 mi·2 min·US Highway 9
28
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 73
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 73
29
Continue on NY 9N; NY 73
1.8 mi·3 min·State Highway 9N
30
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 9N
6.0 mi·9 min·State Highway 9N
31
Continue on NY 9N
9.3 mi·13 min·State Highway 9N
32
Turn left onto College Street
506 ft·28 sec·College Street
33
Turn left onto Ausable Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Ausable Drive
34
Arrive at destination
Ausable Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 7.5-hour estimated drive time, consider leaving Amherst, NY in the morning to give yourself ample time for the two recommended stops. Breaking up the drive with these stops will help you manage the 348.7 miles and stay alert. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach the halfway point, and plan your refueling around your stops to avoid any unnecessary detours. The $58 fuel budget is an estimate, so monitor prices along your route, especially in more rural stretches.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 174.4 miles from Amherst, NY, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 167.1 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 77 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.4 miles or 3h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rome, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Amherst, NY
This is one driving day of about 348.7 miles and 7h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Amherst, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 167.1 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 317.1 — 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.
8
170.8 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Take the exit toward NY 365: Verona, Rome
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 33
Toward NY 365: Verona, Rome
5
184.1 mi into trip|~3h 38m in|NY 365 / East Dominick Street
At end of road, turn left onto NY 365 / East Dominick Street
Navigation decision point
6
317.1 mi into trip|~6h 43m in
Take the exit toward US 9, NY 73: Keene, Keene Valley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 30
Toward US 9, NY 73: Keene, Keene Valley
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.04 one way
$122.07 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg122 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$66.14
$132.29
premium
$5.23
$71.80
$143.60
diesel
$6.28
$86.16
$172.32
Estimated Tolls: $8.35
New York State Thruway
(167.1 mi)$8.35
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
$61
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104.6
1
$36.61
$16.74
Efficient EV
87.2
0
$30.51
$13.95
EV Truck/SUV
139.5
1
$48.82
$22.32
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Amherst, NY
Late night
in Amherst on Thursday
Local time
5:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
S 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Rome, NY
Late night
in Rome on Thursday
Local time
5:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
SW 3 mph0% chanceLive 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.
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
23 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
7h 31m 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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 180.4
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 108.2
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 120.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely surface roads, with 0% highway share, meaning you'll be navigating local streets and state routes for the entire 348.7 miles. The longest stretch without a major intersection is not specified, but expect frequent changes in speed limits and traffic patterns as you pass through various towns. You'll notice a consistent presence of exits and intersections given the lack of interstate driving for this particular trip.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 167.1 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort9/10
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 21 significant decision points across 348.7 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 3.7 miles (I 90 / New York State Thruway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 170.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,803 ft404 ft
Total Climb
2,536 ft
Total Descent
2,548 ft
Highest Point
1,803 ft
~224.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,400 ft
Notable High Points
1,633 ft at ~323.8 miles+775 ft prominence
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 Rome, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Keene Valley along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 31m. Total distance: 348.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 167.1 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.35 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.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Rome, 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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 170.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Stanwix National Monument, Women's Rights National Historical Park and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rome, NY before the return drive.
