Elmhurst, NY to Lockport, NY is 382.7 miles and takes about 8h 9m via I 86, I 81, and Christopher Columbus Highway, with a fuel budget near $63 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, starting in the Northeast region and ending in the same area. Given the 8-hour drive time, it's best planned as a two-day trip to avoid a marathon driving day. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward, albeit long, transit between two points.
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
191.4 miles from Elmhurst, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
100 mi
1h 56m
I 81
58.1 mi
1h 9m
Christopher Columbus Highway
44.6 mi
52m
Genesee Expressway
38.6 mi
44m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
NY 63
11.7 mi
20m
US 46
10.8 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 100 mi, about 1h 56m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 246 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,353 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,201
Quietest
1 AM
~459 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Elmhurst, NY and Lockport, NY.
1
Start on Grand Avenue
90 ft·7 sec·Grand Avenue
2
Turn left onto NY 25
1.2 mi·3 min·Queens Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, BrooklynUse the straight lane.
4
Merge onto I 278
0.7 mi·1 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 35Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, Greenpoint AvenueUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 35WToward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, ManhattanUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 495
1.4 mi·2 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
1.3 mi·2 min·Queens-Midtown Tunnel
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward Crosstown, 37th StreetUse the slight left lane.
10
Turn slight left onto East 37th Street
1.1 mi·3 min·East 37th Street
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the ramp
474 ft·11 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel
12
Turn right
342 ft·11 sec
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto NY 495
105 ft·4 sec·Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 495
3.7 mi·6 min·Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
Toward Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·29 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: SecaucusUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
453 ft·7 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: CliftonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto NJ 3
10 mi·12 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto US 46
11 mi·12 min·US 46
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
20
Continue on I 80W
1.6 mi·1 min·Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, MahwahUse the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water GapUse the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Merge onto I 80
45 mi·52 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
25
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
26
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
27
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
39 mi·44 min·Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
30
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 7Toward NY 408, NY 63: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
31
Turn right onto NY 408
0.1 mi·10 sec·Mount Morris-Geneseo Road
32
Continue on NY 63
3.3 mi·4 min·Geneseo-Mount Morris Road
33
Turn left onto NY 63
1.3 mi·1 min·Genesee Street
34
Enter roundabout onto NY 63
100 ft·1 sec·Genesee Street
35
Continue on NY 63
7.5 mi·11 min·Genesee Street
36
Continue on NY 63
0.7 mi·54 sec·State Highway 63
37
Continue on NY 63
4.1 mi·6 min·Big Tree Road
38
Continue on NY 63
10 mi·15 min·Ellicott Street Road
39
Turn right onto Cedar Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Cedar Street
40
Turn left onto NY 5
2.3 mi·4 min·East Main Street
41
Turn slight right onto NY 63
12 mi·20 min·NY 63
42
Turn right onto NY 63; NY 77
1.5 mi·2 min·Alleghany Road
43
Turn left onto NY 77
8.3 mi·13 min·Lewiston Road
44
At end of road, turn left onto NY 77
6.6 mi·11 min·Chestnut Ridge Road
45
At end of road, turn left onto NY 31
309 ft·4 sec·Rochester Road
46
Continue on NY 31
1.0 mi·1 min·Chestnut Ridge Road
47
Continue on NY 31
1.3 mi·1 min·East Avenue
48
Continue on Main Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·Main Street
49
Turn sharp right onto Market Street
48 ft·1 sec·Market Street
50
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
With an 8-hour estimated drive time, breaking this trip into two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. Aim to depart Elmhurst in the morning to give yourself ample daylight. Plan your overnight stop roughly halfway, around the 4-hour mark. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on I 86, as services can be spread out. The 2-stop recommendation suggests breaking up the drive into roughly equal segments, with one planned stop and one overnight.
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 191.4 miles from Elmhurst, NY, or about 3h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100 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 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 191.4 miles or 3h 59m 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 191.4 miles or 3h 59m
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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lockport, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elmhurst, 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 Elmhurst, NY
Aim for roughly 191 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lockport, NY
Aim for roughly 191 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Elmhurst, 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 I 86 for about 100 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 38
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 11 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
2.4 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, Greenpoint Avenue
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 35
Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Isla...
9
2.5 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 35W
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan
8
5.6 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Crosstown, 37th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Crosstown, 37th Street
7
7.1 mi into trip|~16m in|NY 495 / Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 495 / Lincoln Tunnel Expressway toward Lincoln Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Lincoln Tunnel
8
11 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$67.61 one way
$135.21 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg134 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$73.15
$146.30
premium
$5.28
$79.49
$158.99
diesel
$6.18
$93.10
$186.20
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Lincoln Tunnel
$16.00
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
$68
Tolls
$16
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: 133.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
114.8
1
$40.18
$18.37
Efficient EV
95.7
1
$33.49
$15.31
EV Truck/SUV
153.1
1
$53.58
$24.49
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Elmhurst, NY
Late night
in Elmhurst on Tuesday
Local time
4:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lockport, NY
Late night
in Lockport on Tuesday
Local time
4:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Clear
S 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
62°F
Barton, NY
191 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.
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
3 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 9m 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.
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 13.2
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 13.2
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 13.2
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...
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...
7 mi from route
~19 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 69% of the 382.7 miles on interstates. You'll encounter a 100-mile stretch on I 86 without needing to exit. Expect a consistent cruising experience for the majority of the trip until you transition to surface roads closer to your destination. The frequent exits on the interstate sections mean plenty of opportunities for services.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100 mi on I 86.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 2.4 miles in.
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 38 significant decision points across 382.7 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 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,809 ft23 ft
Total Climb
2,941 ft
Total Descent
2,346 ft
Highest Point
1,809 ft
~109.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,786 ft
Notable High Points
1,809 ft at ~109.4 miles+571 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Elmhurst, NY and Lockport, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Letchworth Park.
Lockport is a city in the Niagara Frontier of New York. It is the county seat of Niagara County, and is a few miles from Buffalo. The city is surrounded by the town of Lockport. Both the town and city are named after the double Erie Canal lock.
Top landmarks
•Cold Springs Cemetery — cemetery in Lockport, New York
The longest stretch is about 100 miles on I 86. 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 $16.00 in tolls one way, starting with Lincoln 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.
Yes — we found about 40 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 Lockport, 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. There are 40 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange 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 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lockport, NY before the return drive.
