Connecting Camillus to Albany, this 153.5-mile journey is an efficient trek across New York’s Northeast region. You can expect to spend about 3 hours and 7 minutes on the road, making it a straightforward day trip that rarely requires an overnight stay. Your travel budget should account for approximately $25 in fuel costs for the one-way transit. By utilizing a combination of the New York State Thruway, I-90, and NY 5, you get a balance of major arteries and local connections. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, this route provides a reliable link between these two points without the need for complex multi-day planning.
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
76.7 miles from Camillus, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
129.7 mi
2h 29m
I 90
6.1 mi
8m
NY 5
3.1 mi
3m
I 690
2.1 mi
2m
Factory Avenue
1.7 mi
2m
NY 298
1.3 mi
1m
Hiawatha Boulevard West
1.3 mi
2m
Wolf Street
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 129.7 mi, about 2h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camillus, NY and Albany, NY.
1
Start on Genesee Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·Genesee Street
2
Turn right onto Newport Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Newport Road
Use the right lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward NY 5 East
4
Merge onto NY 5
3.1 mi·3 min·NY 5
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward NY 695 North
6
Continue on NY 695
1.0 mi·1 min·NY 695
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·56 sec
Toward I 690 East
8
Merge onto I 690
2.1 mi·2 min·I 690
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Toward Hiawatha BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto Hiawatha Boulevard West
1.3 mi·2 min·Hiawatha Boulevard West
Use the left / right lanes.
11
Turn right onto NY 370
500 ft·17 sec·Park Street
12
Turn left onto US 11
1.2 mi·2 min·Wolf Street
13
Continue on US 11
0.3 mi·35 sec·Brewerton Road
14
Turn right onto Factory Avenue
1.7 mi·2 min·Factory Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto Town Line Road
0.2 mi·23 sec·Town Line Road
Use the right lane.
16
Enter roundabout onto NY 298
0.2 mi·18 sec·NY 298
17
Continue on NY 298
1.1 mi·1 min·NY 298
18
Enter roundabout
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 90
19
Continue
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 90
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 90 East: AlbanyUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto I 90
130 mi·2 hr 29 min·New York State Thruway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
1.2 mi·1 min·I 90
Exit 24Toward I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, MontrealUse the slight left lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
4.9 mi·6 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 6Toward US 9: Loudonville, Arbor HillUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward US 9 South: Arbor Hill, Henry Johnson BoulevardUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Turn straight onto US 9
0.3 mi·22 sec·US 9
27
Continue on US 9
0.5 mi·1 min·Henry Johnson Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Turn left onto NY 5
508 ft·16 sec·Central Avenue
29
Turn slight left onto NY 5
0.5 mi·1 min·Washington Avenue
30
Turn right
30 ft·2 sec
31
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though avoiding peak traffic hours near Albany is always a smart move. With only one recommended stop needed to complete the trip comfortably, you can easily manage your energy levels without a rigid itinerary. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 129.7-mile stint on the Thruway, as service areas are your best bet for a quick refill or a break. Because the final portion of the drive involves turn-heavy local roads, make sure you are well-rested before exiting the highway to handle the more demanding steering requirements. Planning for a single, well-timed break will make the three-hour journey feel much shorter.
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 76.7 miles from Camillus, NY, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.7 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 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.7 miles or 1h 35m 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 31m
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 Camillus, 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 Camillus, NY
This is one driving day of about 153.5 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Camillus, 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 129.7 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 151.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Newport Road
Turn right onto Newport Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
15.4 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 90 East: Albany
9
145.5 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, Montreal
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 24
Toward I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, Montreal
8
151.5 mi into trip|~3h 3m in
Take the exit toward US 9: Loudonville, Arbor Hill
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 6
Toward US 9: Loudonville, Arbor Hill
9
151.8 mi into trip|~3h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 9 South: Arbor Hill, Henry Johnson Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 9 South: Arbor Hill, Henry Johnson Bo...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.27 one way
$50.53 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$27.32
$54.64
premium
$4.92
$29.75
$59.50
diesel
$5.61
$33.89
$67.78
Estimated Tolls: $6.49
New York State Thruway
(129.7 mi)$6.49
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
$25
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.7 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
46.1
0
$16.12
$7.37
Efficient EV
38.4
0
$13.43
$6.14
EV Truck/SUV
61.4
0
$21.49
$9.82
Gas CO2
54 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 18, 2026
Origin
Camillus, NY
Late night
in Camillus on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Albany, NY
Late night
in Albany on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
15 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 7m 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.
Fort Stanwix National Monument
National Monument
For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes. When Eur...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 47.6
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...
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 132.3
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by a distinct personality shift, as the route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive despite the inclusion of major highways. While about 9% of the trip involves highway travel, the experience is dominated by the longest stretch of 129.7 miles spent on the New York State Thruway. This creates a transition from faster-paced interstate cruising to more technical, maneuvering-intensive local segments. You will find that the road surface and pace change notably as you move off the primary thoroughfares and into more local environments. Staying focused is key, as the mix of high-speed stretches and tighter turns requires you to remain alert behind the wheel.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.7 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 0.2 miles in near Newport Road.
Driving Effort10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 153.5 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 0.2 miles (Newport Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.5 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
On the drive from Camillus, NY to Albany, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Montreal along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 153.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.7 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.49 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 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 0.2 miles (Newport Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.5 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Stanwix National Monument, Harriet Tubman National Historical Park and Saratoga National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Albany, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
