Batavia to Yonkers is 345.6 miles and takes about 7h 8m via I 86 and the Southern Tier Expressway, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll be on mostly highway for this drive, making it a straightforward transit. With only 2 recommended stops, it's designed for efficient travel, perfect if you're looking to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
172.8 miles from Batavia, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
129.9 mi
2h 40m
Southern Tier Expressway
104.5 mi
2h 2m
Genesee Expressway
38.2 mi
44m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
15.1 mi
17m
Ellicott Street
10.3 mi
15m
New York State Thruway
10.2 mi
13m
Genesee Street
8.8 mi
13m
Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 129.9 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-86
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,201 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,535
Quietest
2 AM
~81 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Batavia, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on NY 5; NY 33; NY 63
1.3 mi·2 min·Main Street
2
Turn right onto Cedar Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Cedar Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto NY 63
10 mi·15 min·Ellicott Street
4
Continue on NY 63
4.1 mi·6 min·Big Tree Road
5
Continue on NY 63
0.7 mi·54 sec·State Highway 63
6
Continue on NY 63
7.5 mi·11 min·Genesee Street
7
Enter roundabout onto NY 63
108 ft·1 sec·Genesee Street
8
Continue on NY 63
1.3 mi·1 min·Genesee Street
9
Merge onto US 20A; NY 39; NY 63
3.3 mi·4 min·Geneseo-Mount Morris Road
10
Continue on NY 408
0.3 mi·32 sec·Mount Morris-Geneseo Road
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
12
Merge onto I 390
38 mi·44 min·Genesee Expressway
13
Merge onto I 86
105 mi·2 hr 2 min·Southern Tier Expressway
14
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.
15
Take the exit onto US 6
7.1 mi·9 min·US 6
Exit 130AToward US 6: Bear Mountain
16
Enter roundabout
346 ft·4 sec
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
17
Continue
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
18
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Merge onto I 87; I 287
9.2 mi·12 min·New York State Thruway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
1.0 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 7AToward Saw Mill River Parkway SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi·10 min·Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward West Yonkers AvenueUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Yonkers Avenue
26
Continue on Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi·57 sec·Nepperhan Avenue
27
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A
229 ft·5 sec·South Broadway
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
US 9; NY 9A
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, aim to depart Batavia in the morning to ensure you arrive in Yonkers well before evening. With 2 planned stops, you can break up the 345.6 miles into manageable segments. Consider stopping around the halfway point, perhaps after the longest stretch on I 86, to refuel and stretch your legs. The fuel cost is estimated at $56, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before setting off. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your timing, but leaving early maximizes your daylight hours for the drive.
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 172.8 miles from Batavia, NY, or about 3h 32m 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 76 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.8 miles or 3h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 51m
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 Batavia, 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 Batavia, NY
This is one driving day of about 345.6 miles and 7h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Batavia, 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 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 172.7 and 345.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
172.7 mi into trip|~3h 32m 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
325.4 mi into trip|~6h 40m 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
336 mi into trip|~6h 55m 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
344.3 mi into trip|~7h 6m 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
345.6 mi into trip|~7h 8m 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
$55.91 one way
$111.82 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$60.67
$121.34
premium
$4.85
$65.96
$131.93
diesel
$4.80
$65.26
$130.51
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
$56
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.7
1
$36.29
$16.59
Efficient EV
86.4
0
$30.24
$13.82
EV Truck/SUV
138.2
1
$48.38
$22.12
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Forecast as of Jul 21, 2026
Origin
Batavia, NY
Late night
in Batavia on Tuesday
Local time
5:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 21 at 2:45AM EDT until July 22 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 21 at 2:43AM EDT until July 22 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Late night
in Yonkers on Tuesday
Local time
5:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 21 at 2:45AM EDT until July 22 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 21 at 2:43AM EDT until July 22 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
78°F
Hamilton, NY
173 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.
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
8 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 8m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 345.6
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 345.6
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 345.6
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 345.6
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 345.6
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
17 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 345.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 88% of the 345.6 miles on major expressways like I 86. You'll experience a long continuous stretch of 129.9 miles on I 86, which means fewer exits and a more consistent pace. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising before transitioning to surface roads closer to your destination. The profile is mostly highway, so you'll likely notice a steady flow of traffic and a focus on covering distance.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and Southern Tier Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 172.7 miles in near I 86; NY 17.
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 19 significant decision points across 345.6 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 172.7 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 325.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 336 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,802 ft86 ft
Total Climb
1,972 ft
Total Descent
2,778 ft
Highest Point
1,802 ft
~246.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,716 ft
Notable High Points
1,802 ft at ~246.9 miles+653 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Batavia, 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 7h 8m. Total distance: 345.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 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 172.7 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 325.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 336 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 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.
