Origin
Cato, NY
Afternoon in Cato on Sunday
Local time
3:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cato, NY to Yonkers, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 43m
Distance
275 mi
443 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 30m
★
6 AM
5h 43m
8 AM
6h 10m
10 AM
5h 52m
12 PM
5h 50m
3 PM
5h 54m
5 PM
6h 8m
8 PM
5h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cato, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Yonkers, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cato, NY to Yonkers, NY is 275 miles and takes about 5h 43m via I 86, I 81, and Palisades Interstate Parkway, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a largely highway trip, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B. With a recommended one-day duration, it’s well-suited for a straightforward transit.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
137.5 miles from Cato, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 86 | 129.9 mi | 2h 40m |
| I 81 | 75.3 mi | 1h 29m |
| Palisades Interstate Parkway | 15.1 mi | 17m |
| New York State Thruway | 10.2 mi | 13m |
| I 690 | 8.7 mi | 10m |
| Saw Mill River Parkway | 7.8 mi | 10m |
| US 6 | 7.1 mi | 9m |
| NY 31 | 5.9 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 129.9 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,058 veh/hr typical · worst 1,330
Quietest
2 AM
~95 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 34 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 Cato, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on NY 34
38 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Street
2
Turn left onto NY 370
3.1 mi
·
6 min
·
East Main Street
3
Continue on NY 370
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
State Route 370
4
Continue on NY 370
0.7 mi
·
53 sec
·
Main Street
5
Continue on NY 370
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
West Genesee Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Take the exit onto NY 31
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
NY 31
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on I 690
8.7 mi
·
10 min
·
I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 81
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I-81
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
I-81
11
Continue on I 81
73 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
130 mi
·
2 hr 40 min
·
I 86; NY 17
Toward New York
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto US 6
7.1 mi
·
9 min
·
US 6
Exit 130A
Toward US 6: Bear Mountain
14
Enter roundabout
346 ft
·
4 sec
Exit 18
Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
15
Continue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 18
Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
16
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 9E
Toward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, White Plains, New York State Thruway South
Use the right lane.
18
Merge onto I 87; I 287
9.2 mi
·
12 min
·
New York State Thruway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 7A
Toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 5
Toward West Yonkers Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
23
Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Yonkers Avenue
24
Continue on Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Nepperhan Avenue
25
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A
229 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Broadway
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
US 9; NY 9A
Trip Plan
For this 5h 43m drive, consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid rush hour traffic closer to Yonkers. Since it's a one-day trip, you can be flexible with your timing. Plan for one stop to break up the 129.9-mile stretch on I 86. The estimated fuel cost is $45, so ensure your tank is full before departing Cato, NY, as highway services can vary. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach the NYC metropolitan area.
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 137.5 miles from Cato, NY, or about 2h 50m 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 61 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.5 miles or 2h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 38m
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 Cato, 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 Cato, NY
This is one driving day of about 275 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Cato, 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 I 86 for about 129.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
138 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 137.5 miles from Cato, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 11.2 and 273.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
11.2 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
NY 31
Take the exit onto NY 31
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
102.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m 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
254.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 14m 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
265.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 29m 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
273.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 40m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.69 one way
$89.39 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $48.37 | $96.75 |
| premium | $4.87 | $52.68 | $105.37 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $58.50 | $116.99 |
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
$45
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.5 | 1 | $28.87 | $13.20 |
| Efficient EV | 68.8 | 0 | $24.06 | $11.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110 | 1 | $38.50 | $17.60 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Afternoon in Yonkers on Sunday
Local time
3:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Montague, NJ
138 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
3 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
5h 43m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 92% of the driving on freeways. You'll encounter a long stretch of 129.9 miles on I 86, so expect extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur late in the drive, as the Palisades Interstate Parkway is the final segment. Expect a significant amount of highway driving with numerous exits leading up to the Parkway.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.2 miles in near NY 31.
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 16 significant decision points across 275 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 11.2 miles (NY 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.1 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 254.8 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cato, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward New York, Palisades Interstate Parkway South, White Plains and New York State Thruway South.
New York
102.1 mi in
|
~2h 6m
|
via I 86; NY 17
Palisades Interstate Parkway South
239.1 mi in
|
~4h 56m
White Plains
254.8 mi in
|
~5h 14m
New York State Thruway South
254.8 mi in
|
~5h 14m
About the Cities
Starting in Cato, NY
Full guide →Arriving in Yonkers, NY
Full guide →Founded 1646
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
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 5h 43m. Total distance: 275 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m 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 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.
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 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 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 11.2 miles (NY 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.1 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 254.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 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.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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