This 142.3-mile drive from Elma, NY to Syracuse, NY will take you about 2 hours and 56 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily be on the New York State Thruway, with some time on I-690 and Genesee Street as you approach your destination. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $23. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, this route is best suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, offering a consistent regional experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
71.2 miles from Elma, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
111.8 mi
2h 9m
I 690
7.9 mi
9m
Genesee Street
5.9 mi
8m
Walden Avenue
5.7 mi
8m
Bowen Road
3.1 mi
5m
Alleghany Road
3 mi
4m
Cemetery Road
1.8 mi
3m
West Main Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 111.8 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elma, NY and Syracuse, NY.
1
Start on CR 242
3.1 mi·5 min·Bowen Road
2
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·27 sec·Broadway Street
3
Turn left onto Cemetery Road
1.8 mi·3 min·Cemetery Road
4
At end of road, turn right onto Walden Avenue
5.7 mi·8 min·Walden Avenue
5
Continue on NY 33
5.9 mi·8 min·Genesee Street
6
Continue on NY 33
0.5 mi·1 min·West Main Street
7
Turn left onto NY 77
3.0 mi·4 min·Alleghany Road
8
Take the exit
369 ft·9 sec
9
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·15 sec·this road
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 90 East: AlbanyUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 90
112 mi·2 hr 9 min·New York State Thruway
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 39Toward I 690, NY 690: Syracuse, FultonUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 690 East: Fairgrounds, Syracuse
14
Continue on I 690
7.9 mi·9 min·I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward DowntownUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward DowntownUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·West Genesee Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on NY 5
0.1 mi·23 sec·James Street
19
Turn right onto NY 5
317 ft·11 sec·Oswego Boulevard
20
Continue on NY 5
524 ft·18 sec·Erie Boulevard East
21
Turn right onto US 11
0.2 mi·25 sec·South State Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
For this 2 hour and 56 minute trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best, but an early start can help you avoid any potential local traffic. Plan for one primary stop, perhaps midway on the New York State Thruway, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off the Thruway onto local roads like Genesee Street, where services might be less frequent. The estimated $23 fuel cost should cover your needs for this 142.3-mile journey.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.2 miles from Elma, NY, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.8 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 31 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.2 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Syracuse, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elma, 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 Elma, NY
This is one driving day of about 142.3 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Elma, 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 New York State Thruway for about 111.8 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.3 and 141.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
20.3 mi into trip|~32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 90 East: Albany
8
132.4 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 690, NY 690: Syracuse, Fulton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 39
Toward I 690, NY 690: Syracuse, Fulton
6
133 mi into trip|~2h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 690 East: Fairgrounds, Syracuse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 690 East: Fairgrounds, Syracuse
6
141.2 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown
8
141.3 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.42 one way
$46.85 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$25.33
$50.66
premium
$4.92
$27.58
$55.16
diesel
$5.61
$31.42
$62.84
Estimated Tolls: $5.59
New York State Thruway
(111.8 mi)$5.59
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
$23
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.7
0
$14.94
$6.83
Efficient EV
35.6
0
$12.45
$5.69
EV Truck/SUV
56.9
0
$19.92
$9.11
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Elma, NY
Late night
in Elma on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Clear
SE 3 to 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Late night
in Syracuse on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 2 to 7 mph0% chanceLive 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
1 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
2h 56m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Women's Rights National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 112.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a route with a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, despite a significant portion being on the highway. With 6% of the drive on highways, you'll experience stretches like the 111.8-mile segment on the New York State Thruway, which offers continuous travel. However, be prepared for the transition to more local roads, including I-690 and Genesee Street, as you get closer to Syracuse. This mix means you'll have periods of faster travel punctuated by more frequent turns and potentially slower speeds in urban areas.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.8 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 20.3 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 142.3 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 20.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
911 ft389 ft
Total Climb
352 ft
Total Descent
669 ft
Highest Point
911 ft
~30.5 mi in
Elevation Range
522 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Elma, NY to Syracuse, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Fulton along the way.
Syracuse is a city in Central New York. With a population of 149,000 in city proper and 662,000 in its metro area (2020), Syracuse is the fifth largest city in the state of New York, and the third largest in Upstate New York.
Top landmarks
•Oncenter War Memorial Arena — arena in Syracuse, New York
•Everson Museum of Art — art museum in Syracuse, New York
•Niagara Mohawk Building — historic commercial building in New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 142.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.8 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.59 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.
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 Syracuse, 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 20.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Women's Rights National Historical Park and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Syracuse, NY before heading back.
