This 159.8-mile drive from Glens Falls, NY to Syracuse, NY is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 24 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the New York State Thruway and the Adirondack Northway, with a small portion on Amsterdam Road. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, this route offers a practical journey within the Northeast region. The drive is characterized by a turn-heavy local feel, suggesting it's not a constant interstate cruise. Budget for one stop along the way to break up the travel time.
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
79.9 miles from Glens Falls, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
102.4 mi
1h 58m
Adirondack Northway
20 mi
23m
Amsterdam Road
12.6 mi
17m
State Highway 67
4.7 mi
7m
I 690
4.1 mi
5m
Malta Avenue
3.5 mi
6m
I 481
2.3 mi
2m
Church Street
1.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 102.4 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glens Falls, NY and Syracuse, NY.
1
Start on US 9; NY32
340 ft·19 sec·Centennial Circle
2
Continue on Hudson Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Hudson Avenue
3
Continue on Broad Street
0.4 mi·58 sec·Broad Street
4
Continue on CR 28
0.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 87 South
6
Merge onto I 87
20 mi·23 min·Adirondack Northway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 13NToward US 9 North: Saratoga Springs
8
Turn straight onto US 9
378 ft·11 sec·US 9
9
Continue on US 9
1.1 mi·1 min·US 9
10
Turn right onto CR 63
3.5 mi·6 min·Malta Avenue
11
Turn left onto NY 50
328 ft·13 sec·Milton Avenue
12
Turn right onto Front Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Front Street
13
Keep slight left at fork onto Charlton Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Charlton Street
14
Turn right onto NY 67
0.3 mi·34 sec·West High Street
15
Continue on NY 67
13 mi·17 min·Amsterdam Road
16
Continue on NY 67
4.5 mi·7 min·State Highway 67
17
Continue on NY 67
1.4 mi·4 min·Church Street
18
Continue on NY 67
0.2 mi·24 sec·State Highway 67
19
Continue on NY 67
0.1 mi·18 sec·Market Street
20
Turn left onto NY 30; NY 67
0.1 mi·22 sec·Pearl Street
21
Continue on NY 30
381 ft·10 sec·East Main Street
22
Continue on NY 30
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 30
23
Turn left
398 ft·11 sec
24
Continue on this road
525 ft·14 sec·this road
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West
26
Merge onto I 90
102 mi·1 hr 58 min·New York State Thruway
27
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 34AToward I 481: Syracuse, OswegoUse the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 481 South: Syracuse, Fairgrounds, Binghamton
29
Merge onto I 481
2.3 mi·2 min·I 481
30
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 690 West: Syracuse, FairgroundsUse the straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on I 690
4.1 mi·5 min·I 690
Use the straight lane.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·41 sec
Exit 13Toward Townsend Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
33
Turn left onto North Townsend Street
501 ft·16 sec·North Townsend Street
Use the left lane.
34
Turn right onto East Water Street
479 ft·16 sec·East Water Street
35
Turn left onto US 11
0.2 mi·20 sec·South State Street
Use the straight lane.
36
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 24-minute duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day from Glens Falls to Syracuse. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for your single planned stop. While the fuel cost is a reasonable $26, keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the 102.4-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway where services might be less frequent. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests paying close attention to navigation as you approach your destination.
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 79.9 miles from Glens Falls, NY, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.4 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 35 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.9 miles or 1h 49m 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 48m
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 Glens Falls, 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 Glens Falls, NY
This is one driving day of about 159.8 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Glens Falls, 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 102.4 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 150.9 and 159.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
150.9 mi into trip|~3h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 481: Syracuse, Oswego
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 34A
Toward I 481: Syracuse, Oswego
7
154.4 mi into trip|~3h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 690 West: Syracuse, Fairgrounds
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 690 West: Syracuse, Fairgrounds
8
159.2 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Take the exit toward Townsend Street, Downtown
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 13
Toward Townsend Street, Downtown
7
159.5 mi into trip|~3h 23m in|North Townsend Street
Turn left onto North Townsend Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
159.6 mi into trip|~3h 24m in|US 11 / South State Street
Turn left onto US 11 / South State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.30 one way
$52.61 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$28.44
$56.89
premium
$4.92
$30.97
$61.94
diesel
$5.61
$35.28
$70.56
Estimated Tolls: $5.12
New York State Thruway
(102.4 mi)$5.12
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
$26
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.9
0
$16.78
$7.67
Efficient EV
40
0
$13.98
$6.39
EV Truck/SUV
63.9
0
$22.37
$10.23
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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 20, 2026
Origin
Glens Falls, NY
Morning
in Glens Falls on Tuesday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Morning
in Syracuse on Tuesday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Johnstown, NY
80 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
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
3h 24m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Fort Stanwix National Monument
National Monument
For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes. When Eur...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 121.4
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 22.1
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 160
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 159.8-mile journey, with the highway making up only 8% of the total distance. While there's a substantial stretch of 102.4 miles on the New York State Thruway, the overall character leans towards more frequent navigation changes. This means you'll likely experience a mix of faster highway segments and more involved local road driving as you make your way from Glens Falls to Syracuse.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.4 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 150.9 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 20 significant decision points across 159.8 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 150.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Glens Falls, NY and Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Oswego, Fairgrounds and Binghamton.
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 3h 24m. Total distance: 159.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.4 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.12 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 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 150.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Stanwix National Monument, Saratoga National Historical Park and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Syracuse, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
