Traveling from East Flatbush to Amherst covers 381.9 miles and typically takes about 8 hours and 4 minutes of driving time. Because this journey spans the Northeast region, you will navigate a mix of major arteries including the New York State Thruway, I-81, and the Christopher Columbus Highway. While technically possible to complete in one long haul, breaking the trek into two days is highly recommended to keep the experience manageable. You should budget approximately $62 for fuel to cover the distance. This trip is best suited for those who appreciate a blend of regional transit and don't mind a turn-heavy local driving profile.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
190.9 miles from East Flatbush, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
99.6 mi
1h 55m
I 81
97.3 mi
1h 55m
Christopher Columbus Highway
44.6 mi
52m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
NJ 3
10.9 mi
13m
US 46
10.8 mi
12m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Flatbush, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on NY 27
1.3 mi·3 min·Linden Boulevard
2
Turn slight right onto NY 27
0.4 mi·40 sec·Caton Avenue
3
Turn right onto Saint Pauls Place
0.2 mi·51 sec·Saint Pauls Place
4
At end of road, turn left onto Parkside Avenue
0.5 mi·53 sec·Parkside Avenue
5
Enter roundabout onto Fort Hamilton Parkway
266 ft·5 sec·Fort Hamilton Parkway
6
Continue on Fort Hamilton Parkway
33 ft·0 sec·Fort Hamilton Parkway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto Ocean Parkway
0.2 mi·29 sec·Ocean Parkway
Toward Prospect Avenue, Prospect Expressway North
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NY 27 West: Prospect Expressway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
9
Merge onto NY 27
1.3 mi·2 min·Prospect Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 27
0.4 mi·46 sec·NY 27
Toward I 278 East: Queens, Bronx
11
Merge onto I 278
0.4 mi·39 sec·Gowanus Expressway
12
Keep slight left at fork
2.3 mi·4 min
Exit 25Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, ManhattanUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
230 ft·10 sec
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington BridgeUse the right lane.
14
At end of road, turn right onto NY 9A
1.1 mi·3 min·West Street
Use the right lane.
15
Turn right onto Vestry Street
0.2 mi·47 sec·Vestry Street
16
Turn left onto Hudson Street
374 ft·18 sec·Hudson Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Take the exit
406 ft·14 sec
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New JerseyUse the straight / left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 78
1.8 mi·3 min·Holland Tunnel
19
Continue on I 78
0.4 mi·1 min·14th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139
0.3 mi·24 sec·14th Street Viaduct
Toward NJ 139 West: Pulaski Skyway, Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City
21
Continue on NJ 139
0.8 mi·1 min·NJ 139 Lower Level
22
Continue on NJ 139
406 ft·7 sec·Pulaski Skyway
23
Take the exit
420 ft·14 sec
Toward US 1-9 North: SecaususUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
2.6 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto NJ 3
11 mi·13 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto US 46
11 mi·12 min·US 46
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
28
Continue on I 80W
1.6 mi·1 min·Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, MahwahUse the straight / slight left lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water GapUse the straight / slight left lanes.
30
Merge onto I 80
45 mi·52 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
33
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
34
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
35
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
37
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
38
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
39
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
40
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
41
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
42
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
43
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
44
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
45
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
46
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
47
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
48
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
49
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
50
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
51
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
52
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
53
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
54
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
55
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
56
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
57
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
58
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
59
Merge onto I 90
100 mi·1 hr 55 min·New York State Thruway
60
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
61
Continue on I 290
1.8 mi·2 min·Youngmann Expressway
62
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
63
Turn left onto NY 324
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
64
Turn left onto NY 263
469 ft·13 sec·Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
65
Arrive at destination
NY 263
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 381.9-mile transit, planning for two scheduled stops will help break up the fatigue of the 8-hour duration. If you choose to split the trip over two days, look for lodging options near the halfway point to ensure you aren't rushing through the more technical sections. Since the route features a 43% highway share, keep a close watch on your navigation during the non-highway portions where turns are more frequent. Always double-check your fuel levels before heading onto the longer 99.6-mile stretch of the New York State Thruway to avoid unnecessary stress. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid peak congestion and ensure you reach Amherst with plenty of daylight to spare.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 190.9 miles from East Flatbush, NY, or about 4h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 84 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 190.9 miles or 4h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 190.9 miles or 4h
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Amherst, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving East Flatbush, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from East Flatbush, NY
Aim for roughly 191 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Amherst, NY
Aim for roughly 191 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from East Flatbush, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 99.6 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 47
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 380.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.4 mi into trip|~6m in|Ocean Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto Ocean Parkway toward Prospect Avenue, Prospect Expressway North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
8
7.2 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel...
8
8.6 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
8
380.7 mi into trip|~8h 1m in
Take the exit toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem R...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.86 one way
$125.73 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg134 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$67.98
$135.95
premium
$4.92
$74.02
$148.04
diesel
$5.61
$84.32
$168.64
Estimated Tolls: $20.98
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(99.6 mi)$4.98
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
$63
Tolls
$21
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$214–$324
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
114.6
1
$40.10
$18.33
Efficient EV
95.5
1
$33.42
$15.28
EV Truck/SUV
152.8
1
$53.47
$24.44
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
East Flatbush, NY
Night
in East Flatbush on Saturday
Local time
9:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
E 6 to 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
Destination
Amherst, NY
Night
in Amherst on Saturday
Local time
9:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
8h 4m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 263.4
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...
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 276.5
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 13.2
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 13.2
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 13.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied behind-the-wheel experience that shifts between high-speed transit and more technical local maneuvering. With a highway share of 43%, you won't be spending the entire time on cruise control, as the route demands attention during its turn-heavy segments. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the New York State Thruway, which spans 99.6 miles of the journey. As you progress, the road environment changes, requiring you to transition from navigating dense areas to managing longer, more consistent interstate stretches. It is a drive that keeps you engaged rather than offering a monotonous interstate grind.
Only 43% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
65 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 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 2.4 miles in near Ocean Parkway.
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 47 significant decision points across 381.9 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 2.4 miles (Ocean Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,970 ft9 ft
Total Climb
3,435 ft
Total Descent
2,868 ft
Highest Point
1,970 ft
~111.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,961 ft
Notable High Points
1,970 ft at ~111.4 miles+670 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Flatbush, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Albany.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.6 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 191 miles on day one.
Expect about $20.98 in tolls one way, starting with Holland Tunnel. 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 Amherst, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles (Ocean Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Stonewall National Monument and Women's Rights National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.1 hours each way, a round trip means 16.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Amherst, NY before the return drive.
