East Syracuse to Yonkers is 252.7 miles and takes about 5h 13m via I 86 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New York, taking you from the Northeast region down to the lower part of the state. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on major highways, making it a good option if you're looking for efficiency and don't need a lot of detours. You can expect a fairly consistent travel experience for most of the 5-hour drive.
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
126.4 miles from East Syracuse, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
129.9 mi
2h 40m
I 81
75 mi
1h 29m
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
I 690
2.4 mi
3m
I-81
0.8 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 129.9 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 East Syracuse, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on NY 290
97 ft·10 sec·West Manlius Street
2
Turn left onto Burnet Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Burnet Avenue
3
Turn left onto NY 635
0.1 mi·20 sec·Thompson Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 690 West: SyracuseUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 690
2.4 mi·3 min·I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 81 South: BinghamtonUse the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto I 81
2.5 mi·3 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I-81
0.8 mi·48 sec·I-81
9
Continue on I 81
73 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
130 mi·2 hr 40 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 6
7.1 mi·9 min·US 6
Exit 130AToward US 6: Bear Mountain
12
Enter roundabout
346 ft·4 sec
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
13
Continue
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
14
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 9EToward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, White Plains, New York State Thruway SouthUse the right lane.
16
Merge onto I 87; I 287
9.2 mi·12 min·New York State Thruway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
1.0 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 7AToward Saw Mill River Parkway SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi·10 min·Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward West Yonkers AvenueUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Yonkers Avenue
22
Continue on Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi·57 sec·Nepperhan Avenue
23
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A
229 ft·5 sec·South Broadway
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
US 9; NY 9A
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, starting early in the morning is your best bet to avoid any potential traffic as you get closer to Yonkers. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to break up the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $41, and plan your fill-ups accordingly, especially during the longer stretches on I 86. Since this is a single-day trip, you can easily adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
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 126.4 miles from East Syracuse, NY, or about 2h 34m 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 56 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.4 miles or 2h 34m 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 14m
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 East Syracuse, 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 East Syracuse, NY
This is one driving day of about 252.7 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from East Syracuse, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 79.8 and 252.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
79.8 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
232.5 mi into trip|~4h 45m 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
243.2 mi into trip|~5h 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
251.4 mi into trip|~5h 11m 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
252.7 mi into trip|~5h 13m 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
$40.88 one way
$81.76 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$44.36
$88.72
premium
$4.85
$48.23
$96.46
diesel
$4.80
$47.71
$95.43
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
$41
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.8
0
$26.53
$12.13
Efficient EV
63.2
0
$22.11
$10.11
EV Truck/SUV
101.1
1
$35.38
$16.17
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
East Syracuse, NY
Night
in East Syracuse on Monday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Patchy Smoke
SE 7 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:46AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 18 at 2:52AM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Night
in Yonkers on Monday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Areas Of Smoke
S 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:46AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 18 at 2:52AM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
59°F
New Berlin, NY
126 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
6 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 13m 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
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 252.7
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 252.7
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 252.7
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 252.7
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 252.7
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 252.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 94% of this 252.7-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on the main roads is 129.9 miles, primarily on I 86. This means you'll experience extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition to the Palisades Interstate Parkway will eventually bring you onto a road with a different feel, likely with fewer exits and a more parkway-like setting as you approach your destination.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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 I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 79.8 miles in near I 86; NY 17.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 252.7 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 79.8 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 232.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 243.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,383 ft74 ft
Total Climb
1,498 ft
Total Descent
1,845 ft
Highest Point
1,383 ft
~144.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,310 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Syracuse, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward New York, Palisades Interstate Parkway South, White Plains and New York State Thruway South.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 13m. Total distance: 252.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m 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 79.8 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 232.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 243.2 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 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.
