This 358.6-mile journey from Billington Heights to Yonkers, NY, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 6 hours and 8 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $58, this route is a budget-friendly option for exploring within the Northeast region. You'll be navigating local roads for the entirety of the trip, making it a more engaging drive than a highway-heavy itinerary. The recommended single day of travel suggests this route is best tackled when you're ready for a full day of driving, allowing for flexibility in your stops. It's a straightforward trip that keeps you connected to local scenery without the demands of interstate speeds.
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
179 miles from Billington Heights, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 51m 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
32.6 mi
37m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
15.1 mi
17m
Varysburg Road
10.9 mi
15m
Big Tree Road
10.5 mi
15m
New York State Thruway
10.2 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 Billington Heights, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on this road
0.2 mi·1 min·this road
2
Turn right onto Billington Road
0.2 mi·49 sec·Billington Road
3
Turn right onto Maple Street
1.0 mi·2 min·Maple Street
4
Turn left onto Girard Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Girard Avenue
5
Continue on Church Street
0.3 mi·57 sec·Church Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 20A; NY 16; NY 78
0.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
7
Continue on US 20A; NY 78
11 mi·15 min·Big Tree Road
8
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Varysburg Road
9
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Road
10
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi·8 min·West Buffalo Street
11
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi·10 min·Perry Center Road
12
Continue on CR 64
2.3 mi·3 min·Perry Road
13
Turn right onto NY 36
1.3 mi·1 min·Mount Morris Road
14
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi·4 min·North Main Street
15
Continue on NY 36
4.1 mi·7 min·Sonyea Road
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
17
Merge onto I 390
33 mi·37 min·Genesee Expressway
18
Merge onto I 86
105 mi·2 hr 2 min·Southern Tier Expressway
19
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.
20
Take the exit onto US 6
7.1 mi·9 min·US 6
Exit 130AToward US 6: Bear Mountain
21
Enter roundabout
346 ft·4 sec
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
22
Continue
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
23
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
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.
25
Merge onto I 87; I 287
9.2 mi·12 min·New York State Thruway
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
1.0 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 7AToward Saw Mill River Parkway SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi·10 min·Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward West Yonkers AvenueUse the slight right lane.
30
Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Yonkers Avenue
31
Continue on Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi·57 sec·Nepperhan Avenue
32
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A
229 ft·5 sec·South Broadway
Use the left lane.
33
Arrive at destination
US 9; NY 9A
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour, 358.6-mile drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and allow ample time for your single planned stop. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, pacing yourself and taking short breaks can help maintain focus. The estimated fuel cost of $58 is quite manageable, so ensure your tank is full before you set off to avoid unnecessary detours. Since this is a local road experience, be prepared for varying speed limits and potential traffic, especially as you approach Yonkers. A key tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the main roads, Billington Road, Maple Street, and Girard Avenue, using GPS with real-time traffic updates to navigate efficiently.
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 179 miles from Billington Heights, NY, or about 3h 51m 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 79 miles or 1h 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179 miles or 3h 51m 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 17m
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 Billington Heights, 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 Billington Heights, NY
This is one driving day of about 358 miles and 7h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Billington Heights, 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 185.1 and 358 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
185.1 mi into trip|~3h 58m 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
337.8 mi into trip|~7h 6m 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
348.5 mi into trip|~7h 21m 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
356.7 mi into trip|~7h 32m 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
358 mi into trip|~7h 35m 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
$57.91 one way
$115.83 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$62.85
$125.69
premium
$4.85
$68.33
$136.66
diesel
$4.80
$67.60
$135.19
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
$58
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.4
1
$37.59
$17.18
Efficient EV
89.5
1
$31.33
$14.32
EV Truck/SUV
143.2
1
$50.12
$22.91
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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 Jul 20, 2026
Origin
Billington Heights, NY
Evening
in Billington Heights on Monday
Local time
8:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Evening
in Yonkers on Monday
Local time
8:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
N 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
81°F
Hamilton, NY
179 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
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
7h 35m 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...
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...
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 358
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 358
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 358
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 358
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this entire 358.6-mile route, as indicated by the 0% highway share. This means you'll be actively navigating Billington Road, Maple Street, and Girard Avenue, among potentially others, for the full 6-hour duration. Without long stretches of highway, the pace will be more deliberate, offering a consistent connection to the immediate surroundings. The absence of a longest uninterrupted stretch suggests frequent intersections and changes in road type, requiring your full attention throughout the journey. This type of drive is ideal if you prefer to feel more immersed in the local landscape rather than cruising at high speeds.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 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 185.1 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 358 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 185.1 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 337.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 348.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,620 ft86 ft
Total Climb
1,963 ft
Total Descent
2,805 ft
Highest Point
1,620 ft
~255.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,534 ft
Notable High Points
1,516 ft at ~25.6 miles+588 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Billington Heights, 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 35m. Total distance: 358 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 35m 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.
Yes — we found about 20 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 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. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 185.1 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 337.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 348.5 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 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.2 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.
