Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Fairmount, NY to Mount Vernon, NY

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 22m

Distance

257.7 mi

415 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 9m ★
6 AM
5h 22m
8 AM
5h 49m
10 AM
5h 32m
12 PM
5h 29m
3 PM
5h 33m
5 PM
5h 48m
8 PM
5h 14m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Fairmount, NY, NY

Fairmount, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

city in Westchester County, New York, United States

Mount Vernon, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Fairmount, NY to Mount Vernon, NY is 257.7 miles and takes about 5h 22m via I 86, I 81, and the New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward, albeit potentially busy, drive. Given the duration, it's a feasible one-day trip, but plan accordingly for traffic, especially as you approach your destination.

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

128.9 miles from Fairmount, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 86 129.9 mi 2h 40m
I 81 75.3 mi 1h 29m
New York State Thruway 18.1 mi 24m
Palisades Interstate Parkway 15.1 mi 17m
US 6 7.1 mi 9m
I 690 4.1 mi 5m
Cross County Parkway (local lanes) 1 mi 1m
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

4 PM

~1,035 veh/hr typical · worst 1,512

Quietest

2 AM

~96 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

10.8×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 66 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 Fairmount, NY and Mount Vernon, NY.

1

Start on this road

224 ft · 18 sec · this road
2

At end of road, turn right onto NY 173

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Onondaga Road (NY 173)
3

Turn right onto NY 297

0.6 mi · 1 min · Milton Avenue
4

Turn left onto Horan Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Horan Road
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward NY 695 North
6

Merge onto NY 695

0.7 mi · 50 sec · NY 695
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 690 East
8

Merge onto I 690

4.1 mi · 5 min · I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 81

2.8 mi · 4 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I-81

0.8 mi · 48 sec · I-81
12

Continue on I 81

73 mi · 1 hr 25 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

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.
14

Take the exit onto US 6

7.1 mi · 9 min · US 6
Exit 130A Toward US 6: Bear Mountain
15

Enter roundabout

346 ft · 4 sec
Exit 18 Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
16

Continue

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 18 Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
17

Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway

15 mi · 17 min · Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

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.
19

Merge onto I 87; I 287

9.2 mi · 12 min · New York State Thruway
20

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87

8.8 mi · 11 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Exit 4 Toward Cross County Parkway, Mile Square Road Use the slight right lane.
22

Turn straight onto NY 100

0.4 mi · 56 sec · Central Park Avenue
23

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward Cross County Parkway East
24

Merge onto Cross County Parkway (local lanes)

1.0 mi · 1 min · Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
Use the straight lane.
25

Take the exit

336 ft · 21 sec
Exit 7 Toward West Broad Street, Gramatan Avenue Use the straight / right lanes.
26

Turn slight right onto Fleetwood Avenue

0.3 mi · 47 sec · Fleetwood Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
27

Turn right onto Gramatan Avenue

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Gramatan Avenue
28

Enter roundabout onto Gramatan Avenue

107 ft · 1 sec · Gramatan Avenue
29

Continue on Gramatan Avenue

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Gramatan Avenue
30

Turn left onto East Prospect Avenue

56 ft · 1 sec · East Prospect Avenue
31

Arrive at destination

East Prospect Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 5h 22m drive, consider leaving Fairmount early in the morning to maximize daylight and potentially avoid the heaviest traffic. With only one recommended stop and a 129.9-mile stretch on I 86, you can cover significant ground before needing a break. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you near the end of the longest highway segment. The $43 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on real-time traffic conditions.

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 128.9 miles from Fairmount, NY, or about 2h 38m 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 57 miles or 1h 11m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 128.9 miles or 2h 38m 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 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Vernon, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Fairmount, 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 Fairmount, NY

This is one driving day of about 257.7 miles and 5h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Fairmount, 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.

Downtown New Berlin, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New Berlin, NY

129 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

Cortland, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hamilton, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 128.9 miles from Fairmount, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.9 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.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Tombolinos Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Yonkers, New York

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $30 to $50

Hours: 12–10 pm

+19142371266

Visit website

Best coffee break · home stretch

Art Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Nyack, New York

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 23min to go 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 8 AM–8 PM

+18453534230

Visit website

Tombolinos Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $30 to $50

Yonkers, New York

Hours: 12–10 pm

+19142371266

Visit website

Art Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Nyack, New York

Hours: 8 AM–8 PM

+18453534230

Visit website

An Beal Bocht Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Bronx, New York

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+17188847127

Visit website

Mandy Bean Specialty Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Yonkers, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+19149991010

Visit website

Bites Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Spring Valley, New York

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18454405055

Visit website

Mocha Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Bronx, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13472027123

Visit website

ViaLynk Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Goshen, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15186913119

Visit website

ViaLynk Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Goshen, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15186913119

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Goshen, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Goshen, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Goshen, New York

+18887174544

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Tomkins Cove, New York

+18887800062

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Bear Mountain, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887800062

Visit website

Roscoe

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Whitney Point Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

East Branch Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Preble

0.1 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

Flying J Travel Center

2.1 mi from route

CNY Living History Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Cortland, New York

Hours: Closed

+16072994185

Visit website

Rosamond Gifford Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Syracuse, New York

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+13154358511

Visit website

5 Wits Syracuse

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Syracuse, New York

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+13159884001

Visit website

Wave Hill Public Garden & Cultural Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Bronx, New York

Hours: 10 am–5:30 pm

+17185493200

Visit website

WonderWorks Destiny

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Syracuse, New York

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+13154667700

Visit website

Lights on the Lake

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Liverpool, New York

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13154536712

Visit website

Skä•noñh Great Law of Peace Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

Liverpool, New York

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13154536767

Visit website

Museum of Science & Technology

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

Syracuse, New York

Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm

+13154259068

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 7.2 and 256.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
7.2 mi into trip | ~11m in

Take the exit toward I 81 South: Binghamton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
7
83.5 mi into trip | ~1h 42m 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
236.3 mi into trip | ~4h 50m 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...
8
254.8 mi into trip | ~5h 15m in

Take the exit toward Cross County Parkway, Mile Square Road

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 4 Toward Cross County Parkway, Mile Square Road
8
256.7 mi into trip | ~5h 19m in

Take the exit toward West Broad Street, Gramatan Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 7 Toward West Broad Street, Gramatan Avenue

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.11 one way

$90.22 round trip

$4.45/gal 25.4 MPG avg 90 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.82 $48.88 $97.76
premium $5.23 $53.06 $106.12
diesel $6.28 $63.67 $127.35

Estimated Tolls: $0.90

New York State Thruway (18.1 mi) $0.90

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

$45

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 90.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 77.3 0 $27.06 $12.37
Efficient EV 64.4 0 $22.55 $10.31
EV Truck/SUV 103.1 1 $36.08 $16.49

Gas CO2

90 kg

EV CO2

30 kg (67% 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 Oct 19, 2026

Origin

Fairmount, NY

Afternoon in Fairmount on Friday

Local time

3:36 PM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Sunny

W 3 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Mount Vernon, NY

Afternoon in Mount Vernon on Friday

Local time

3:36 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Sunny

NE 5 to 8 mph 0% chance Live forecast

57°F

New Berlin, NY

129 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

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

5h 22m 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

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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 257.7
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

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...

10 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 257.7
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

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 ~38 min detour Free near mile 257.7
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

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 ~41 min detour Free near mile 257.7
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

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 ~43 min detour Free near mile 257.7
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

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 ~42 min detour Free near mile 257.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly highway driving, with 91% of the 257.7 miles on major roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 129.9 miles on I 86, offering sustained cruising. The remaining mileage will transition to surface roads as you get closer to Mount Vernon, likely bringing more frequent exits and local traffic. Expect merging and increased activity as you approach the New York metropolitan area.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 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?

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 7.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 24 significant decision points across 257.7 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 7.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.5 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 236.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,239 ft 108 ft

Total Climb

1,059 ft

Total Descent

1,444 ft

Highest Point

1,239 ft

~165.7 mi in

Elevation Range

1,131 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Fairmount, NY and Mount Vernon, NY, road signs point toward New York, Palisades Interstate Parkway South, White Plains and New York State Thruway South.

New York

83.5 mi in | ~1h 42m | via I 86; NY 17

Palisades Interstate Parkway South

220.6 mi in | ~4h 31m

White Plains

236.3 mi in | ~4h 50m

New York State Thruway South

236.3 mi in | ~4h 50m

About the Cities

Starting in Fairmount, NY

Full guide →

Arriving in Mount Vernon, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1892

Mount Vernon is a city in Westchester County in New York.

Top landmarks

  • • Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site — national Historic Site of the United States
  • • Trinity Episcopal Church Complex — church building in Mount Vernon, 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 5h 22m. Total distance: 257.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). 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 $0.90 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 11 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 Mount Vernon, 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 7.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.5 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 236.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mount Vernon, 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

Explore More

Continue From Mount Vernon, NY

Lewiston, NY 397.1 mi · 8h 25m Niagara Falls, NY 392.5 mi · 8h 20m Amherst, NY 373.5 mi · 7h 54m Hamburg, NY 372.2 mi · 7h 58m

More from Fairmount, NY

Hempstead, NY 278.9 mi · 5h 44m Queens, NY 267.2 mi · 5h 38m Brooklyn, NY 260.9 mi · 5h 30m Borough Park, NY 260.5 mi · 5h 30m

More trips to Mount Vernon, NY

Elma, NY 364.2 mi Canton, NY 359 mi Malone, NY 335.8 mi Geneseo, NY 321.8 mi Ontario, NY 316.2 mi Rome, NY 284.7 mi
Escape planner: Fairmount, NY Scenic drives in NY

Explore more options from Fairmount, NY or browse trips ending in Mount Vernon, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.