Traveling from Auburn to Yonkers covers 261.8 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 22 minutes of driving time. Because this route relies on local roads rather than major highways, it is best suited for a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $43 for fuel to complete the journey. Navigating via Genesee Street, West Genesee Street Road, and East Lake Street keeps you off the interstate system entirely. Since you will be moving from the Finger Lakes area toward the suburbs of New York City, expect a significant shift in traffic density as you head south. This drive is ideal if you prefer a hands-on, turn-heavy experience over the monotony of high-speed travel.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
126.6 miles from Auburn, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
129.9 mi
2h 40m
I 81
45.4 mi
54m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
15.1 mi
17m
New York State Thruway
10.2 mi
13m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi
10m
US 6
7.1 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 129.9 mi, about 2h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on NY 34; NY 38
20 ft·2 sec·South Street
2
Turn right onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
3
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
4
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
5
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
6
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
7
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
8
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
9
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
10
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
12
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
130 mi·2 hr 40 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 6
7.1 mi·9 min·US 6
Exit 130AToward US 6: Bear Mountain
15
Enter roundabout
346 ft·4 sec
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
16
Continue
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
17
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 9EToward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, White Plains, New York State Thruway SouthUse the right lane.
19
Merge onto I 87; I 287
9.2 mi·12 min·New York State Thruway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
1.0 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 7AToward Saw Mill River Parkway SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi·10 min·Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward West Yonkers AvenueUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Yonkers Avenue
25
Continue on Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi·57 sec·Nepperhan Avenue
26
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A
229 ft·5 sec·South Broadway
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
US 9; NY 9A
Trip Plan
To keep your 4-hour and 22-minute drive manageable, plan for at least one substantial stop to break up the rhythm of the local roads. Since the route is entirely local, departure times are critical; try to avoid peak morning or afternoon hours to minimize congestion on Genesee Street and other key segments. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as you can easily adjust your pace to accommodate comfort breaks. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads may offer fewer immediate refueling options than a major interstate corridor. A helpful tip is to map out your primary turns in advance, as the reliance on local streets means you will be making frequent navigational changes throughout the 261.8-mile journey.
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 126.6 miles from Auburn, NY, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.9 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 56 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.6 miles or 2h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yonkers, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Auburn, 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 Auburn, NY
This is one driving day of about 253.2 miles and 5h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Auburn, 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 I 86 for about 129.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 80.3 and 253.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
80.3 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|I 86; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17 toward New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward New York
8
233 mi into trip|~4h 57m in
Take the exit toward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, White Plains, New York State Thruway South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 9E
Toward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, W...
7
243.7 mi into trip|~5h 12m in
Take the exit toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 7A
Toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
7
251.9 mi into trip|~5h 24m in
Take the exit toward West Yonkers Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward West Yonkers Avenue
7
253.2 mi into trip|~5h 26m in|US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.68 one way
$83.36 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$45.07
$90.14
premium
$4.92
$49.07
$98.15
diesel
$5.61
$55.90
$111.81
Estimated Tolls: $0.51
New York State Thruway
(10.2 mi)$0.51
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
$42
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76
0
$26.59
$12.15
Efficient EV
63.3
0
$22.15
$10.13
EV Truck/SUV
101.3
1
$35.45
$16.20
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Auburn, NY
Late night
in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Late night
in Yonkers on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°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.
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
9 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
5h 26m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than your typical interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. The drive is characterized by its turn-heavy nature, requiring your full attention as you transition between local thoroughfares. You will navigate a series of interconnected roads rather than a single long, uninterrupted stretch, making the journey feel more like a sequence of segments. Because you are staying off the main interstates, the pace is dictated by local traffic patterns and the constant navigation of turns. This is a technical drive that rewards drivers who enjoy being actively engaged with the road rather than simply setting cruise control.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.9 mi on I 86.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 80.3 miles in near I 86; NY 17.
Driving Effort10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 253.2 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 80.3 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 243.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Auburn, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward New York, Palisades Interstate Parkway South, White Plains and New York State Thruway South.
Yonkers is a city of 211,569 people (2020) in Westchester County. The third most populous city in New York state, Yonkers is a suburb of New York City and borders the Borough of the Bronx. Yonkers is known as the "City of Seven Hills," which are Park, Nodine, Ridge, Cross, Locust, Glen, and Church hills.
Top landmarks
•Untermyer Park — public garden
•Hudson River Museum — museum in Yonkers, N.Y.
•Glenview Mansion — historic house in New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 26m. Total distance: 253.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.9 miles on I 86. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.51 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.
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 Yonkers, 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 80.3 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 243.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Yonkers, NY before the return drive.
