Rest area
0 mi from route
Trip from Amherst, NY to Selden, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 59m
Distance
428.4 mi
689 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$76
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 51m
★
6 AM
8h 59m
8 AM
9h 16m
10 AM
9h 5m
12 PM
9h 3m
3 PM
9h 6m
5 PM
9h 15m
8 PM
8h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Amherst, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Selden, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 428.4-mile journey from Amherst, NY to Selden, NY is a significant drive, estimated to take around 8 hours and 59 minutes. Given the duration, it's best planned as a two-day trip to avoid excessive fatigue. You'll navigate primarily via the New York State Thruway, I-81, and the Keystone Shortway, with about 45% of the route being highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $71. This route offers a practical way to traverse between two points in the Northeast region, requiring two planned stops along the way.
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
214.2 miles from Amherst, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 30m 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 |
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 99.4 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 168 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,210 veh/hr typical · worst 4,900
Quietest
1 AM
~430 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, NY and Selden, 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
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 4E-W
Toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 4E
Toward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
53
Merge onto I 495
30 mi
·
41 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
54
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 56
Toward NY 111: Smithtown, Islip
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Express Drive South
56
Continue on Express Drive South
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Express Drive South
57
Turn left onto NY 111
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Wheeler Road
58
Continue on NY 111
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Townline Road
Use the left lane.
59
Turn left onto NY 111
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Hauppauge Boulevard
Use the left lane.
60
Turn slight right onto NY 347
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Nesconset-Port Jefferson Highway
61
Continue on NY 347
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Nesconset Highway
62
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward Route 25, Middle Country Road EAST, Centereach, Riverhead
63
Turn right onto NY 25
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Middle Country Road
Use the straight lane.
64
Arrive at destination
NY 25
Trip Plan
To best manage this 8-hour, 59-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for your two recommended stops. Splitting the drive over two days is highly advisable to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Aim to complete roughly half the 428.4 miles on the first day, perhaps breaking around the halfway point or a convenient town. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially before entering longer stretches like the 99.4-mile segment on the New York State Thruway, and be prepared for the 'turn-heavy local drive' sections that require more active navigation.
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 214.2 miles from Amherst, NY, or about 4h 30m 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 94 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 214.2 miles or 4h 30m 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 214.2 miles or 4h 30m
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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Selden, 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 214 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Selden, NY
Aim for roughly 214 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 94 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
214 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 Nazareth, PAOvernight Options
Night 1
214 mi · about 4.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Nazareth, PA after about 214 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 94 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 214.2 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 214 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Scottsville Travel Plaza
0 mi from route
Clifton Springs Travel Plaza
0 mi from route
Seneca Travel Plaza
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Crescent Lake Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pembroke Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Broome Gateway Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Whitney Point Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pennsylvania Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Ontario Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Clarence Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Long Island Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Penn-Can Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pennsylvania Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Junius Ponds Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
Rest Area
1.3 mi from route
Fred R. Harrison Service Complex
1.6 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 405 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
$76.03 one way
$152.07 round trip
$4.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
150 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.85 | $81.73 | $163.47 |
| premium | $5.24 | $88.36 | $176.72 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $90.23 | $180.47 |
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
$76
Tolls
$28
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$234–$344
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 149.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 128.5 | 1 | $44.98 | $20.56 |
| Efficient EV | 107.1 | 1 | $37.49 | $17.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 171.4 | 2 | $59.98 | $27.42 |
Gas CO2
150 kg
EV CO2
50 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Amherst, NY
Afternoon in Amherst on Wednesday
Local time
3:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Selden, NY
Afternoon in Selden on Wednesday
Local time
3:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Isolated Rain Showers
E 1 to 5 mph
20% chance
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
4 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
8h 59m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 118.2
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 369.3
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 369.3
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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 103.4
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 369.3
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 369.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive with a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, suggesting a mix of road types rather than a continuous interstate cruise. While 45% of the route utilizes highways, the overall character points to more engaged driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 99.4 miles on the New York State Thruway, offering a period of consistent travel before transitioning to other road types. This route likely involves navigating through towns and varied terrains, demanding your attention throughout the 8 hours and 59 minutes of estimated driving time.
Only 45% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
64 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 40 significant decision points across 428.4 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,913 ft
47 ft
Total Climb
2,359 ft
Total Descent
2,869 ft
Highest Point
1,913 ft
~275.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,866 ft
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 Selden, 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
Eastern Long Island
385.4 mi in
|
~7h 58m
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 Selden, NY
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
8h 59m 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 214 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.
Yes — we found about 41 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 Selden, 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 41 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 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, General Grant National Memorial and Hamilton Grange 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 9.0 hours each way, a round trip means 18.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Selden, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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