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Trip from Borough Park, NY to Albany, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 18m

Distance

156.1 mi

251 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 6m ★
6 AM
3h 18m
8 AM
3h 42m
10 AM
3h 27m
12 PM
3h 24m
3 PM
3h 28m
5 PM
3h 41m
8 PM
3h 11m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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neighborhood in New York City

Borough Park, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Borough Park, NY, to Albany, NY, covers a distance of 156.1 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 18 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight highway shot, it works best as a focused one-day trip. You should budget approximately $25 for fuel to cover the journey. While both cities are located within the Northeast, the route transitions from the dense urban environment of Brooklyn to the state capital. Given the duration, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. It is a practical choice for those who prefer local roads over high-speed interstate travel.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

78.1 miles from Borough Park, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NY 17 111.7 mi 2h 8m
NJ 17 22.9 mi 28m
NJ 3 4.3 mi 5m
Tonnelle Avenue 2.6 mi 3m
Holland Tunnel 1.8 mi 3m
I 787 1.6 mi 2m
West Street 1.1 mi 3m
Prospect Expressway 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: NY 17 — 111.7 mi, about 2h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Borough Park, NY and Albany, NY.

1

Start on 12th Avenue

0.2 mi · 48 sec · 12th Avenue
2

Turn slight left onto New Utrecht Avenue

0.3 mi · 59 sec · New Utrecht Avenue
3

Turn right onto Fort Hamilton Parkway

0.8 mi · 1 min · Fort Hamilton Parkway
Use the straight lane.
4

Continue on Caton Avenue

498 ft · 19 sec · Caton Avenue
Use the straight lane.
5

Turn left onto NY 27 Truck

0.4 mi · 44 sec · McDonald Avenue
Use the left lane.
6

Turn right onto Terrace Place

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Terrace Place
7

Turn left onto 18th Street

237 ft · 14 sec · 18th Street
Use the left lane.
8

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward NY 27 West: Prospect Expressway
9

Merge onto NY 27

1.0 mi · 1 min · Prospect Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto NY 27

0.4 mi · 46 sec · NY 27
Toward I 278 East: Queens, Bronx
11

Merge onto I 278

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Gowanus Expressway
12

Keep slight left at fork

2.3 mi · 4 min
Exit 25 Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork

230 ft · 10 sec
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington Bridge Use the right lane.
14

At end of road, turn right onto NY 9A

1.1 mi · 3 min · West Street
Use the right lane.
15

Turn right onto Vestry Street

0.2 mi · 47 sec · Vestry Street
16

Turn left onto Hudson Street

374 ft · 18 sec · Hudson Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17

Take the exit

406 ft · 14 sec
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey Use the straight / left lanes.
18

Merge onto I 78

1.8 mi · 3 min · Holland Tunnel
19

Continue on I 78

0.4 mi · 1 min · 14th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139

0.3 mi · 24 sec · 14th Street Viaduct
Toward NJ 139 West: Pulaski Skyway, Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City
21

Continue on NJ 139

0.8 mi · 1 min · NJ 139 Lower Level
22

Continue on NJ 139

406 ft · 7 sec · Pulaski Skyway
23

Take the exit

420 ft · 14 sec
Toward US 1-9 North: Secausus Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Turn right onto US 1; US 9

2.6 mi · 3 min · Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25

Turn straight onto NJ 3

4.3 mi · 5 min · NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
28

Merge onto NJ 17

3.3 mi · 3 min · NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Continue on NJ 17

4.2 mi · 4 min · NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Continue on NJ 17

4.1 mi · 5 min · NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Continue on NJ 17

7.3 mi · 9 min · NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
32

Continue on NJ 17

0.7 mi · 50 sec · NJ 17
33

Continue on NJ 17

3.3 mi · 4 min · NJ 17
34

Continue on I 287; NY 17

0.2 mi · 10 sec · I 287; NY 17
35

Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17

112 mi · 2 hr 8 min · NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 50 sec
Exit 23 Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy Use the slight right lane.
37

Continue on I 787

1.6 mi · 2 min · I 787
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 4 Toward US 9 North, US 20 West: Downtown Albany Use the slight right lane.
39

Turn straight onto Quay Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Quay Street
40

Turn left onto NY 5

0.2 mi · 42 sec · NY 5
41

Turn left onto NY 5

0.3 mi · 51 sec · State Street
42

At end of road, turn right onto NY 5

182 ft · 5 sec · Eagle Street
43

Turn straight onto NY 5

498 ft · 19 sec · Washington Avenue
44

Turn left

30 ft · 2 sec
45

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 3 hour and 18 minute trip, plan to leave early to avoid the heaviest local traffic patterns. Since you have only one planned stop, use that time to refuel and stretch, keeping your $25 fuel budget in mind for the total journey. Flexibility is your biggest advantage on this route, as the lack of highway segments allows you to adjust your pace as needed. A specific tip for this drive is to keep a close eye on your navigation system, as the reliance on local roads like New Utrecht Avenue and Caton Avenue means you will encounter numerous turns that require consistent focus. Staying alert and pacing your single stop will ensure you reach Albany feeling refreshed.

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 78.1 miles from Borough Park, NY, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.7 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 34 miles or 53m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 78.1 miles or 1h 45m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Borough Park, 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 Borough Park, NY

This is one driving day of about 156.1 miles and 3h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Borough Park, 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 NY 17 for about 111.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

78 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New Windsor, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 78.1 miles from Borough Park, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.7 miles.

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.

Best meal stop · first break window

Bite Food & Coffee Co

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hackensack, New Jersey

Near the start, short detour

First break · 28min in 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12015602269

Visit website

18th Ave Cafe G

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Brooklyn, New York

1.9 mi

Greenhouse Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Brooklyn, New York

1.7 mi

Best coffee break · first break window

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

South Hackensack, New Jersey

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 28min in 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12014265898

Visit website

C Squared Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

0.7 mi

Healing Bean Cafe | Arts and Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Brooklyn, New York

1.7 mi

Bite Food & Coffee Co

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12015602269

Visit website

18th Ave Cafe G

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $30 to $40

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: 12–10:45 pm

+16463408230

Greenhouse Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: 12–9:30 pm

+17188338200

Visit website

Cafe Tibet

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: 12–9:30 pm

+13477899524

Cafe Madison

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Albany, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+15189351094

Visit website

Elysian Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Hoboken, New Jersey

Hours: 12 pm–12 am

+12017985898

Visit website

Barnwood Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Catskill, New York

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15189432200

Visit website

Gracie's Luncheonette

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Leeds, New York

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+15189439363

Visit website

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

South Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12014265898

Visit website

C Squared Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12014259120

Healing Bean Cafe | Arts and Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13474974202

Visit website

Saddle River Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Expensive

Saddle River, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+12012822300

Visit website

Next Move Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: 2 pm–12 am

+17186769679

Visit website

Fairytale Island

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: Closed

+17183950835

Visit website

F and M coffee shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: 5 am–4 pm

+17184380447

Roots Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

+19293015535

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Central Valley, New York

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Central Valley, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887800062

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Central Valley, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Union City, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12018664664

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Hoboken, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Jersey City, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Jersey City, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Jersey City, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Mana Contemporary

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Jersey City, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12016042702

Visit website

Catch Air Hasbrouck

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12017132156

Visit website

New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Teterboro, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

+12012886344

Visit website

Historic Reservoir #3 Preserve

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Jersey City, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

Living Torah Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18777526286

Visit website

Posh Princess Palace

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Lodi, New Jersey

Hours: 1–7 pm

+18628997674

Visit website

Lincoln Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Jersey City, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12019151388

Visit website

Washington Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Union City, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12013485747

Visit website

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 3.9 and 41.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
3.9 mi into trip | ~8m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 25 Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
8
6.3 mi into trip | ~13m in

Keep slight right at fork toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington Bridge

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel...
8
7.6 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / left lanes. Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
8
18.1 mi into trip | ~33m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
8
41.5 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in | NY 17

Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17 toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.70 one way

$51.39 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $27.78 $55.57
premium $4.92 $30.26 $60.51
diesel $5.61 $34.46 $68.93

Estimated Tolls: $16.00

Holland Tunnel $16.00

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

$26

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46.8 0 $16.39 $7.49
Efficient EV 39 0 $13.66 $6.24
EV Truck/SUV 62.4 0 $21.85 $9.99

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 16, 2026

Origin

Borough Park, NY

Late night in Borough Park on Tuesday

Local time

4:53 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Albany, NY

Late night in Albany on Tuesday

Local time

4:53 AM

EDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

63°F

Ramapo, NY

78 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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 18m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a hands-on driving experience, as this route is defined by its turn-heavy local nature rather than long highway stretches. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend the entire 156.1 miles navigating surface streets and local roads. You will begin your journey on New Utrecht Avenue, Fort Hamilton Parkway, and Caton Avenue before transitioning away from the city. Because there are no long, uninterrupted interstate segments, you should remain alert and prepared for frequent adjustments behind the wheel. The personality of this drive is decidedly local, requiring your full attention as you navigate the transition from the city out toward Albany.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.7 mi on NY 17.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.9 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 29 significant decision points across 156.1 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 3.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Borough Park, NY and Albany, NY, road signs point toward Jersey City and New York State Thruway North: Albany.

Jersey City

9.9 mi in | ~22m | via NJ 139

New York State Thruway North: Albany

41.5 mi in | ~1h 3m | via NY 17

About the Cities

Starting in Borough Park, NY

Full guide →

Arriving in Albany, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1686

Albany is the capital of New York. Albany is an interesting showcase of several centuries' worth of architectural styles, including the modernistic Empire State Plaza.

Top landmarks

  • • New York State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of New York
  • • Fort Orange — fort in New Netherland (now Albany, New York)
  • • Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — historic cathedral in Albany, New York, United States

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 18m. Total distance: 156.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 111.7 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $16.00 in tolls one way, starting with Holland Tunnel. 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 Albany, 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 3.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Albany, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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