Beacon, NY to Tonawanda, NY is 336.2 miles and takes about 7h 13m via NY 17 and the New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New York, moving from the state's Northeast region to its western part. The route offers a mixed driving experience, balancing highway speeds with some surface road cruising. Given the 7-hour drive time and single-day recommendation, it's a manageable trip for most drivers looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
168.1 miles from Beacon, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
109.5 mi
2h 17m
New York State Thruway
99.6 mi
1h 55m
I 81
39.3 mi
46m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
State Highway 17K
10 mi
13m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
Chase Street
9.8 mi
11m
East Genesee Street
7.3 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 109.5 mi, about 2h 17m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,020 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~94 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 3 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 Beacon, NY and Tonawanda, NY.
1
Start on NY 52 Bus
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
2
Turn right onto NY 9D; NY 52 Bus
0.6 mi·1 min·North Avenue
3
Continue on NY 9D; NY 52 Bus
0.2 mi·30 sec·North Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I 84 West, NY 52 West: Newburgh Beacon Bridge, NewburghUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 84; NY 52
6.8 mi·8 min·I 84; NY 52
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 34Toward NY 17K: Montgomery, NewburghUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn right onto NY 17K
6.9 mi·9 min·NY 17K
8
Turn slight left onto NY 17K
10 mi·13 min·State Highway 17K
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Wurtsboro, Binghamton
10
Merge onto NY 17
110 mi·2 hr 17 min·NY 17
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
14
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
15
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
16
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
17
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
18
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
19
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
20
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
21
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
22
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
23
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
24
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
25
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
26
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
28
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
29
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
30
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
31
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
32
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
34
Merge onto I 90
100 mi·1 hr 55 min·New York State Thruway
35
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on I 290
6.1 mi·8 min·Youngmann Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 2Toward NY 425: Colvin BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
38
Turn right onto NY 425
1.2 mi·2 min·Twin Cities Memorial Highway
39
Turn left onto Fillmore Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Fillmore Avenue
40
Turn left onto Fremont Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Fremont Street
41
Turn right onto Young Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·Young Street
42
Continue on Broad Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·Broad Street
43
Turn right onto NY 265
0.1 mi·21 sec·Seymour Street
44
Arrive at destination
NY 265
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Beacon to maximize daylight. With a recommended single day, you'll want to keep moving, but plan for your two stops to include refueling and a meal. The longest stretch on NY 17 is over 100 miles, so be sure to have enough fuel before entering that segment. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, splitting this drive into two days is also an option, though not strictly necessary. The fuel cost estimate of $55 is a good baseline for budgeting.
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 168.1 miles from Beacon, NY, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.5 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 74 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.1 miles or 3h 33m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tonawanda, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Beacon, 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 Beacon, NY
This is one driving day of about 336.2 miles and 7h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Beacon, 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 NY 17 for about 109.5 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 327.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 84 West, NY 52 West: Newburgh Beacon Bridge, Newburgh
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 84 West, NY 52 West: Newburgh Beacon B...
8
8.4 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward NY 17K: Montgomery, Newburgh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 34
Toward NY 17K: Montgomery, Newburgh
7
226.7 mi into trip|~5h in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
226.9 mi into trip|~5h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 West: Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
7
327.1 mi into trip|~6h 57m in
Take the exit toward I 290: Niagara Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 50
Toward I 290: Niagara Falls
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.64 one way
$109.28 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$59.14
$118.28
premium
$4.87
$64.41
$128.81
diesel
$5.40
$71.52
$143.03
Estimated Tolls: $4.98
New York State Thruway
(99.6 mi)$4.98
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
$55
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
100.9
1
$35.30
$16.14
Efficient EV
84.1
0
$29.42
$13.45
EV Truck/SUV
134.5
1
$47.07
$21.52
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 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 Apr 26, 2026
Origin
Beacon, NY
Late night
in Beacon on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Rain
NE 3 mph84% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 12:24AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 8:05PM EDT until April 26 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Destination
Tonawanda, NY
Late night
in Tonawanda on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 6 to 9 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 12:24AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 8:05PM EDT until April 26 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
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
1 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 13m 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.
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
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 208.7
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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 220.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 54% of this route is highway, meaning you'll spend a significant portion of your time on faster roads. The longest continuous stretch on a surface road is 109.5 miles on NY 17. You'll notice the transition from highway to surface roads as exits become more frequent and the pace slows. Expect a mix of environments as you traverse the state.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109.5 mi on NY 17.
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 1.3 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 29 significant decision points across 336.2 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 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.7 miles: 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 Beacon, NY and Tonawanda, NY, road signs point toward Binghamton and Albany.
Tonawanda is the name of both a city in the Northtowns of Erie County, New York, and the unincorporated suburban township that surrounds it. The incorporated village of Kenmore also makes up part of the Town of Tonawanda. All three of these places are covered in this article.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 13m. Total distance: 336.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 13m 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 109.5 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.98 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 25 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 Tonawanda, 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park and Women's Rights National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tonawanda, NY before the return drive.
