Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Canton, NY to Albany, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 58m

Distance

219.7 mi

354 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 46m ★
6 AM
3h 59m
8 AM
4h 25m
10 AM
4h 8m
12 PM
4h 5m
3 PM
4h 9m
5 PM
4h 24m
8 PM
3h 51m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States

Canton, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 219.7-mile drive from Canton, NY, to Albany, NY, will take you approximately 3 hours and 58 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $36, it's an economical option for a single-day trip. The route primarily utilizes local roads like Gouverneur Street and William Street, with a brief section on Highway 58, and has no highway driving, making it a more engaged experience. You'll be traveling within the Northeast region for the entire journey, traversing parts of New York State. This trip is best suited for a single day, allowing ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.

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

109.8 miles from Canton, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Gouverneur Street — —
William Street — —
Highway 58 — —
Balmat-Fowler Road — —
Highway 812 — —
State Street — —
Main Street — —
State Route 3 — —

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: Gouverneur Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Main Street

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Main Street
2

Turn left onto Gouverneur Street

24 mi · 27 min · Gouverneur Street
3

Turn left onto William Street

0.6 mi · 40 sec · William Street
4

Continue on State Highway 58

5.5 mi · 6 min · State Highway 58
5

Turn right onto Balmat-Fowler Road

2.1 mi · 2 min · Balmat-Fowler Road
6

Continue on State Highway 812

7.9 mi · 9 min · State Highway 812
7

At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 812

0.3 mi · 34 sec · State Highway 812
8

Continue on State Street

0.4 mi · 59 sec · State Street
9

Continue on Main Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
10

Continue on State Route 3

2.9 mi · 4 min · State Route 3
11

Turn left onto Indian River Road

5.7 mi · 6 min · Indian River Road
12

Continue on Indian River Road

10 mi · 12 min · Indian River Road
13

Continue on Main Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
14

Continue on State Highway 812

8.4 mi · 10 min · State Highway 812
15

Turn left onto East State Street

1.5 mi · 3 min · East State Street
16

Continue on Ross Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Ross Road
17

Turn left onto Bea Luck Road

20 mi · 23 min · Bea Luck Road
18

Continue on State Highway 12

0.8 mi · 52 sec · State Highway 12
19

Continue on Erwin Parkway

9.7 mi · 11 min · Erwin Parkway
20

Continue on State Highway 12

22 mi · 30 min · State Highway 12
21

Take the exit slight right

0.3 mi · 38 sec
22

Merge slight left onto State Route 49

0.4 mi · 27 sec · State Route 49
23

Continue straight

0.2 mi · 13 sec
24

Take the exit slight right toward Genesee Street South

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Genesee Street South
25

Keep slight left to continue on I 90

0.7 mi · 1 min · I 90
26

Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East

0.3 mi · 43 sec · I 90 East
27

Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway

84 mi · 1 hr 36 min · New York State Thruway
28

Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, Montreal

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, Montreal
29

Keep slight left

4.9 mi · 6 min
30

Take the exit slight right toward US 9: Loudonville, Arbor Hill

0.3 mi · 29 sec · US 9: Loudonville, Arbor Hill
31

Keep slight right to continue on US 9 South: Arbor Hill, Henry Johnson Boulevard

0.3 mi · 28 sec · US 9 South: Arbor Hill, Henry Johnson Boulevard
32

Turn straight onto US 9

0.3 mi · 22 sec · US 9
33

Continue on Henry Johnson Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · Henry Johnson Boulevard
34

Turn left onto Central Avenue

509 ft · 17 sec · Central Avenue
35

Turn slight left onto Washington Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Washington Avenue
36

Turn right

30 ft · 2 sec
37

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Given the 3 hour and 58 minute estimated duration, this route is comfortably manageable as a single-day drive. You'll want to leave Canton, NY, with enough daylight to appreciate the local roads. With only one recommended stop and no significant highway stretches, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Keep an eye on local road signs, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of this drive means you'll be making frequent adjustments. Ensure your fuel tank is adequately filled before departing, as the $36 estimated fuel cost covers the entire 219.7 miles, and local routes may have fewer service stations than major highways.

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 109.8 miles from Canton, NY, or about 1h 59m into the drive.

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 48 miles or 52m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 109.8 miles or 1h 59m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 15m

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 Canton, 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 Canton, NY

This is one driving day of about 219.7 miles and 3h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Canton, 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.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Lowville, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lowville, NY

110 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

Fowler, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lowville, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 109.8 miles from Canton, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Bellevue Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Schenectady, New York

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 204

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15183937720

Visit website

Canali's Italian & American Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Schenectady, New York

1.5 mi

Caribe Spanish Restaurant & Sports Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Schenectady, New York

1.7 mi

Bellevue Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 204

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15183937720

Visit website

Canali's Italian & American Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 204

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 4–9 pm

+15183555323

Visit website

Caribe Spanish Restaurant & Sports Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 204

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15182806277

Visit website

Cafe Madison

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 219.7

Albany, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+15189351094

Visit website

Mi Ecuador Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 219.7

Rensselaer, New York

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+15182750565

Visit website

Blue Ribbon Restaurant & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 204

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 7 am–9:30 pm

+15183932600

Visit website

Barcelona Restaurant-Wine Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately mile 219.7

Albany, New York

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15184381144

Visit website

Tool's Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 219.7

Delmar, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+15184399111

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 125.5

Utica, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 125.5

Utica, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 125.5

Utica, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 141.2

Herkimer, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 204

Rotterdam, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 188.3

Amsterdam, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Quick Charge Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 188.3

Amsterdam, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18552703107

Visit website

EVlink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 125.5

Utica, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887174544

Visit website

The Stanley Theatre

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 125.5

Utica, New York

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+13157244000

Visit website

Boonville Black River Canal

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 94.1

Boonville, New York

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13159426763

Visit website

Utica Zoo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 125.5

Utica, New York

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+13157380472

Visit website

Utica Children's Museum

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 125.5

Utica, New York

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+13158087529

Visit website

American Italian Heritage Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 219.7

Albany, New York

Hours: 12–2 pm

+15184351979

Visit website

The Family Fun Factory

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 125.5

New Hartford, New York

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13158648044

Visit website

Fun things to do in Saratoga -- Food Tours, Ghost Tours, Craft Beer Tours, Bike Tours & much more

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 204

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15188323796

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.16 one way

$72.33 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $39.10 $78.21
premium $4.92 $42.58 $85.16
diesel $5.61 $48.51 $97.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 65.9 0 $23.07 $10.55
Efficient EV 54.9 0 $19.22 $8.79
EV Truck/SUV 87.9 1 $30.76 $14.06

Gas CO2

77 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Canton, NY

Late night in Canton on Sunday

Local time

3:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

37°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Albany, NY

Late night in Albany on Sunday

Local time

3:47 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

3 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 58m 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 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 219.7-mile journey, as indicated by its 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through towns and villages, with frequent turns and changes in speed limits. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the profile suggests a continuous engagement with local traffic and road conditions. You won't encounter the monotony of interstate travel; instead, prepare for a dynamic driving experience that requires constant attention as you make your way through various communities.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: Gouverneur Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 58m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Canton, NY to Albany, NY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

About the Cities

Starting in Canton, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1805

Canton (pop 7,200 in 2020, founded 1801) is the county seat of St. Lawrence County in northern New York. This tiny village is home to the State University of New York at Canton and to St. Lawrence University.

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 58m. Total distance: 219.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Canton, NY to Albany, NY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Albany, NY

Boston, NY 305.2 mi · 6h Warsaw, NY 262.8 mi · 5h 16m Attica, NY 262.5 mi · 5h 13m Batavia, NY 251.4 mi · 4h 56m

More from Canton, NY

Babylon, NY 395 mi · 8h 6m Hempstead, NY 376.3 mi · 7h 43m New York City, NY 363.7 mi · 7h 23m Manhattan, NY 359.5 mi · 7h 20m The Bronx, NY 358.4 mi · 7h 18m Buffalo, NY 272.9 mi · 5h 20m

More trips to Albany, NY

Walden, NY 283.3 mi Cheektowaga, NY 283.2 mi Hartland, NY 282.6 mi Williamsville, NY 280 mi Medina, NY 268.9 mi Pembroke, NY 263 mi
Escape planner: Canton, NY Scenic drives in NY

Explore more options from Canton, NY or browse trips ending in Albany, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.