Brighton to Syracuse is 146.4 miles and takes about 2h 56m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New York, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a route that involves a good amount of local road driving mixed with highway travel. With a duration under three hours and a manageable fuel cost, this is a straightforward trip perfect for a single day, offering a practical way to get from Brighton to Syracuse.
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
73.2 miles from Brighton, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
130.5 mi
2h 30m
I 690
7.9 mi
9m
Youngmann Expressway
2.4 mi
3m
Sheridan Drive
1.4 mi
2m
Eggert Road
0.8 mi
2m
West Genesee Street
0.4 mi
1m
Millersport Highway
0.3 mi
<1m
South State Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 130.5 mi, about 2h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brighton, NY and Syracuse, NY.
1
Start on Brighton Road
91 ft·6 sec·Brighton Road
2
Turn right onto Parker Boulevard
0.1 mi·28 sec·Parker Boulevard
3
Turn left onto Eggert Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Eggert Road
4
Turn left onto NY 324
1.4 mi·2 min·Sheridan Drive
5
Turn left onto NY 263
0.3 mi·38 sec·Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 290 E
7
Merge onto I 290
2.4 mi·3 min·Youngmann Expressway
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·57 sec
Exit 1-49Toward I 90 East: AlbanyUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 90
130 mi·2 hr 30 min·New York State Thruway
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 39Toward I 690, NY 690: Syracuse, FultonUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 690 East: Fairgrounds, Syracuse
12
Continue on I 690
7.9 mi·9 min·I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward DowntownUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward DowntownUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·West Genesee Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on NY 5
0.1 mi·23 sec·James Street
17
Turn right onto NY 5
317 ft·11 sec·Oswego Boulevard
18
Continue on NY 5
524 ft·18 sec·Erie Boulevard East
19
Turn right onto US 11
0.2 mi·25 sec·South State Street
Use the straight lane.
20
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Given the drive's relatively short duration of under three hours, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Aiming for a mid-morning start will allow you to complete the trip with plenty of daylight remaining. The fuel cost is estimated at $24, so ensure your tank is full before departing Brighton, as the longest stretch on the Thruway is quite substantial at 130.5 miles before you might find more frequent fuel stops. With only one suggested stop, plan your break strategically to coincide with a good point to stretch your legs or grab a quick bite.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.2 miles from Brighton, NY, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130.5 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 32 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.2 miles or 1h 28m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Syracuse, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brighton, 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 Brighton, NY
This is one driving day of about 146.4 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Brighton, 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 New York State Thruway for about 130.5 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.3 and 145.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
5.3 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1-49
Toward I 90 East: Albany
8
136.4 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 690, NY 690: Syracuse, Fulton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 39
Toward I 690, NY 690: Syracuse, Fulton
6
137.1 mi into trip|~2h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 690 East: Fairgrounds, Syracuse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 690 East: Fairgrounds, Syracuse
6
145.3 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown
8
145.4 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.10 one way
$48.20 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$26.06
$52.12
premium
$4.92
$28.38
$56.75
diesel
$5.61
$32.32
$64.65
Estimated Tolls: $6.52
New York State Thruway
(130.5 mi)$6.52
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
$24
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.9
0
$15.37
$7.03
Efficient EV
36.6
0
$12.81
$5.86
EV Truck/SUV
58.6
0
$20.50
$9.37
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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 15, 2026
Origin
Brighton, NY
Morning
in Brighton on Sunday
Local time
7:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Morning
in Syracuse on Sunday
Local time
7:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Newark, NY
73 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
13 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
2h 56m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Women's Rights National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 116.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive presents a turn-heavy local experience for much of its length. While 7% of the route utilizes highways like the New York State Thruway, I-690, and Youngmann Expressway, the overall profile leans towards navigating local roads. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch on the New York State Thruway, covering 130.5 miles, which offers a period of consistent highway travel. However, be prepared for the road to shift character frequently as you transition between these highway segments and the more intricate local routes.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 130.5 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.3 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 146.4 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 5.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
On the drive from Brighton, NY to Syracuse, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Fulton along the way.
Syracuse is a city in Central New York. With a population of 149,000 in city proper and 662,000 in its metro area (2020), Syracuse is the fifth largest city in the state of New York, and the third largest in Upstate New York.
Top landmarks
•Oncenter War Memorial Arena — arena in Syracuse, New York
•Everson Museum of Art — art museum in Syracuse, New York
•Niagara Mohawk Building — historic commercial building in New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 146.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 130.5 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.52 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.
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 Syracuse, 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 5.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Women's Rights National Historical Park and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Syracuse, NY before heading back.
