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Trip from Chemung, NY to Yonkers, NY

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

Drive Time

4h 35m

Distance

221.7 mi

357 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 22m ★
6 AM
4h 35m
8 AM
5h 2m
10 AM
4h 45m
12 PM
4h 42m
3 PM
4h 46m
5 PM
5h 1m
8 PM
4h 27m

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

Downtown Chemung, NY, NY

Chemung, NY

Abhishek Navlakha

city in Westchester County, New York, United States

Yonkers, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Chemung, NY to Yonkers, NY is 221.7 miles and takes about 4h 35m via I 86 and Palisades Interstate Parkway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, taking you from the Northeast region down to the vibrant Yonkers area. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so if you're looking for a quick and efficient way to get between these two points, this route fits the bill.

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

110.9 miles from Chemung, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 86 129.9 mi 2h 40m
Southern Tier Expressway 48 mi 57m
Palisades Interstate Parkway 15.1 mi 17m
New York State Thruway 10.2 mi 13m
Saw Mill River Parkway 7.8 mi 10m
US 6 7.1 mi 9m
Yonkers Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
Nepperhan Avenue 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 86 — 129.9 mi, about 2h 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chemung, NY and Yonkers, NY.

1

Start on CR 60

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Main Street
2

Turn left onto CR 3

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Wyncoop Creek Road
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
4

Merge onto I 86; NY 17

48 mi · 57 min · Southern Tier Expressway
5

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.
6

Take the exit onto US 6

7.1 mi · 9 min · US 6
Exit 130A Toward US 6: Bear Mountain
7

Enter roundabout

346 ft · 4 sec
Exit 18 Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
8

Continue

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 18 Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
9

Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway

15 mi · 17 min · Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

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.
11

Merge onto I 87; I 287

9.2 mi · 12 min · New York State Thruway
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87

1.0 mi · 1 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 7A Toward Saw Mill River Parkway South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway

7.8 mi · 10 min · Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Exit 5 Toward West Yonkers Avenue Use the slight right lane.
16

Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Yonkers Avenue
17

Continue on Nepperhan Avenue

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Nepperhan Avenue
18

Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A

229 ft · 5 sec · South Broadway
Use the left lane.
19

Arrive at destination

US 9; NY 9A

Trip Plan

Given the 4h 35m estimated drive time, starting your journey in the morning is ideal to allow for a full day upon arrival in Yonkers. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule. The longest continuous stretch is nearly 130 miles on I 86, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get too low. Keep an eye out for signs directing you onto the Palisades Interstate Parkway as you approach your destination, as this marks the final segment of your trip.

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 110.9 miles from Chemung, NY, or about 2h 15m 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 49 miles or 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 110.9 miles or 2h 15m 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 43m

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 Chemung, 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 Chemung, NY

This is one driving day of about 221.7 miles and 4h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Chemung, 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.

town in Orange County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New Windsor, NY

111 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

Binghamton, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockland, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 110.9 miles from Chemung, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 48.8 and 221.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
48.8 mi into trip | ~58m 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
201.5 mi into trip | ~4h 6m 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
212.2 mi into trip | ~4h 21m 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
220.4 mi into trip | ~4h 32m 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
7
221.7 mi into trip | ~4h 35m in | US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway

Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.49 one way

$72.99 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 78 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $39.46 $78.92
premium $4.92 $42.97 $85.94
diesel $5.61 $48.95 $97.90

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

$36

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 77.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 66.5 0 $23.28 $10.64
Efficient EV 55.4 0 $19.40 $8.87
EV Truck/SUV 88.7 1 $31.04 $14.19

Gas CO2

78 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (67% 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 17, 2026

Origin

Chemung, NY

Late night in Chemung on Sunday

Local time

3:44 AM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Yonkers, NY

Late night in Yonkers on Sunday

Local time

3:44 AM

EDT

Current temp

79°F

Scattered Rain Showers

NW 7 to 10 mph 29% chance 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

37 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

4h 35m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

National Memorial

Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...

8 mi from route ~21 min detour Free near mile 221.7
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 221.7
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...

15 mi from route ~37 min detour Free near mile 221.7
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...

16 mi from route ~40 min detour Free near mile 221.7
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...

17 mi from route ~42 min detour Free near mile 221.7
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...

17 mi from route ~41 min detour Free near mile 221.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 94% of the route utilizing major expressways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 129.9 miles on I 86, also known as the Southern Tier Expressway, which offers a consistent, high-speed experience. The Palisades Interstate Parkway provides a slightly different feel towards the end, but the overall character remains that of a highway-centric journey. Expect smooth sailing for the majority of your trip, with minimal interruptions from local traffic.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and Southern Tier Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 48.8 miles in near I 86; NY 17.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 15 significant decision points across 221.7 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 48.8 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 201.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Chemung, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward New York, Palisades Interstate Parkway South, White Plains and New York State Thruway South.

New York

48.8 mi in | ~58m | via I 86; NY 17

Palisades Interstate Parkway South

185.8 mi in | ~3h 48m

White Plains

201.5 mi in | ~4h 6m

New York State Thruway South

201.5 mi in | ~4h 6m

About the Cities

Starting in Chemung, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1786

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 4h 35m. Total distance: 221.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). 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 48.8 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 201.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Yonkers, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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