Nichols Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Cuba, NY to Yonkers, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 42m
Distance
331.5 mi
534 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 30m
★
6 AM
6h 42m
8 AM
7h 6m
10 AM
6h 50m
12 PM
6h 48m
3 PM
6h 52m
5 PM
7h 5m
8 PM
6h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cuba, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Yonkers, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cuba, NY to Yonkers, NY is 331.5 miles and takes about 6h 42m via Southern Tier Expressway/I-86 and Palisades Interstate Parkway, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, traversing the Northeast region from west to east. It's a predominantly highway route, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. Given the efficiency of the main roads, this is a good option if you need to get from the western part of the state to the NYC metro area without much fuss.
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
165.8 miles from Cuba, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Tier Expressway | 157.8 mi | 3h 3m |
| I 86 | 129.9 mi | 2h 40m |
| 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:
Southern Tier Expressway
— 157.8 mi, about 3h 3m
Traffic on I-86
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~774 veh/hr typical · worst 1,107
Quietest
2 AM
~52 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Cuba, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on East Main Street
116 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn right onto NY 305
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Genesee Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
4
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
158 mi
·
3 hr 3 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
To make the most of this 6h 42m drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid heavier traffic, especially as you get closer to Yonkers. With a single recommended stop, you can easily complete this route in one day. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch without a major change in road type is over 150 miles. The main roads are efficient, so you won't need to plan for many detours to find gas or rest areas.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 165.8 miles from Cuba, NY, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.8 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 73 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165.8 miles or 3h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 25m
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 Cuba, 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 Cuba, NY
This is one driving day of about 331.5 miles and 6h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Cuba, 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 157.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
166 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 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 165.8 miles from Cuba, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 157.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Campbell Rest Area
0 mi from route
Roscoe
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Owego Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
East Branch Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Friendship Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Hornellsville Scenic Overlook/ Texting Zone / Parking Area
0.1 mi from route
Kanona Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Erwin Text Zone / Parking Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
Middletown Rest Area
2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 158.6 and 331.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
158.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 5m 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
311.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 13m 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
322 mi into trip
|
~6h 28m 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
330.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 39m 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
331.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 42m 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
$58.56 one way
$117.12 round trip
$4.49/gal
25.4 MPG avg
116 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.86 | $63.36 | $126.73 |
| premium | $5.28 | $68.86 | $137.72 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $80.64 | $161.29 |
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
$59
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 99.5 | 1 | $34.81 | $15.91 |
| Efficient EV | 82.9 | 0 | $29.01 | $13.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 132.6 | 1 | $46.41 | $21.22 |
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Cuba, NY
Evening in Cuba on Saturday
Local time
7:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Chance Rain Showers
N 13 mph
43% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:20AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:29AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Evening in Yonkers on Saturday
Local time
7:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Chance Rain Showers
N 12 mph
40% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:20AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:29AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
35°F
Hamilton, NY
166 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
6h 42m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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
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 331.5
View on nps.gov
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 331.5
View on nps.gov
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 331.5
View on nps.gov
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 331.5
View on nps.gov
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 331.5
View on nps.gov
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 331.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Almost all of this drive, 96%, is on highways, meaning you'll spend most of your time on the Southern Tier Expressway (I-86) and the Palisades Interstate Parkway. You'll encounter a significant 157.8-mile stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway before transitioning to the Palisades Interstate Parkway. Expect a consistent cruising experience with many exits as you approach the metropolitan area.
96% 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: 157.8 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and I 86. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 158.6 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 331.5 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 158.6 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 311.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 322 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,832 ft
86 ft
Total Climb
1,291 ft
Total Descent
2,702 ft
Highest Point
1,832 ft
~23.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,746 ft
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 Cuba, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward New York, Palisades Interstate Parkway South, White Plains and New York State Thruway South.
New York
158.6 mi in
|
~3h 5m
|
via I 86; NY 17
Palisades Interstate Parkway South
295.6 mi in
|
~5h 54m
White Plains
311.3 mi in
|
~6h 13m
New York State Thruway South
311.3 mi in
|
~6h 13m
About the Cities
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 6h 42m. Total distance: 331.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 42m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 157.8 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. 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.
Yes — we found about 20 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 158.6 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 311.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 322 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Yonkers, NY
More trips to Yonkers, NY
Explore more options from Cuba, NY or browse trips ending in Yonkers, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.