This 392.2-mile journey from Franklin Square, NY, to Amherst, NY, will take approximately 8 hours and 11 minutes to complete. With a highway share of 39%, it's best suited for a 2-day trip, allowing you to comfortably cover the distance without feeling rushed. You'll navigate primarily on the New York State Thruway and I-81, with a fuel cost estimated around $65. This route offers a practical way to travel within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Plan for around 2 stops along the way to break up the drive.
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
196.1 miles from Franklin Square, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 1m 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
68.2 mi
1h 20m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
Chase Street
9.8 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin Square, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on Franklin Avenue
52 ft·3 sec·Franklin Avenue
2
Continue on New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi·53 sec·New Hyde Park Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Tulip Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Jamaica Avenue
5
Turn slight right onto NY 25
1.2 mi·2 min·Braddock Avenue
6
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Hillside Avenue
7
Turn right onto I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck BridgeUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
9
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi·8 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
12
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
13
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi·39 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 69Toward I 80 West: Paterson, HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 80
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
23
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
24
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
25
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
29
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
30
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
31
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
32
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
33
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
34
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
35
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
36
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
37
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
38
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
39
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
40
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
41
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
42
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
43
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
44
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
45
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
46
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
47
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
48
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
49
Merge onto I 90
100 mi·1 hr 55 min·New York State Thruway
50
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Continue on I 290
1.8 mi·2 min·Youngmann Expressway
52
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
53
Turn left onto NY 324
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
54
Turn left onto NY 263
469 ft·13 sec·Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
55
Arrive at destination
NY 263
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour duration, splitting this drive over two days is highly recommended to make the most of your travel experience. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours, especially if you plan to stop and explore briefly. With an estimated fuel cost of $65, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly before entering longer stretches like the 99.6-mile segment on the New York State Thruway. Planning your overnight stop roughly halfway will allow for a relaxed second day of driving, making the overall trip more enjoyable.
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 196.1 miles from Franklin Square, NY, or about 4h 1m 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 86 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 196.1 miles or 4h 1m 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 196.1 miles or 4h 1m
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 59m
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 Franklin Square, 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 Franklin Square, NY
Aim for roughly 196 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Amherst, NY
Aim for roughly 196 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Franklin Square, 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 34
5 decision points cluster between mile 5 and 391 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
5 mi into trip|~9m in|I 295 / Clearview Expressway
Turn right onto I 295 / Clearview Expressway toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck Bridge
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Throu...
8
21.8 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
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.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
22 mi into trip|~32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
24.4 mi into trip|~35m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
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 69
Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
8
391 mi into trip|~8h 8m 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
$64.56 one way
$129.12 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg137 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$69.81
$139.62
premium
$4.92
$76.02
$152.03
diesel
$5.61
$86.59
$173.19
Estimated Tolls: $27.81
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(99.6 mi)$4.98
New Jersey Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.28
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
$65
Tolls
$28
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$222–$332
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117.7
1
$41.18
$18.83
Efficient EV
98.1
1
$34.32
$15.69
EV Truck/SUV
156.9
1
$54.91
$25.10
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 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 15, 2026
Origin
Franklin Square, NY
Night
in Franklin Square on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Amherst, NY
Night
in Amherst on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Union, NY
196 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
2 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
8h 11m 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
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 270.5
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile for this route, despite the 39% highway share. While you'll experience stretches on major roads like the New York State Thruway and I-81, the overall feel suggests a more engaging, less monotonous experience than a pure interstate cruise. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 99.6 miles on the New York State Thruway, offering a good opportunity for consistent travel before roads may become more involved. This mix suggests a dynamic drive, transitioning between faster-paced highway segments and more winding local roads.
Only 39% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
55 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 5 miles in near I 295 / Clearview Expressway.
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 34 significant decision points across 392.2 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 5 miles (I 295 / Clearview Expressway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Franklin Square, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Njtp South: Hackensack, Hackensack 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 196 miles on day one.
Expect about $27.81 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. 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 5 miles (I 295 / Clearview Expressway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Women's Rights National Historical Park and General Grant National Memorial (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 16.4 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.
