This 217.2-mile drive from Hamilton, NY to Yonkers, NY will take approximately 4 hours and 36 minutes, making it a very manageable day trip. The route is heavily highway-focused, with 88% of the journey on major roads, and is estimated to cost around $36 in fuel. You'll primarily be on NY 17 and State Highway 8 before transitioning to the Palisades Interstate Parkway as you approach your destination. This trip stays within the Northeast region, connecting two points within New York State. Given the relatively short duration and high highway share, it's an efficient way to cover the distance.
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
108.6 miles from Hamilton, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
104.7 mi
2h 10m
State Highway 8
36.8 mi
41m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
15.1 mi
17m
New York State Thruway
10.2 mi
13m
State Highway 12
10.2 mi
15m
Rexford Street
8.3 mi
9m
Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi
10m
US 6
7.1 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 104.7 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hamilton, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on NY 12B
72 ft·3 sec·Utica Street
2
Turn slight right onto NY 12B
1.1 mi·1 min·Broad Street
3
Continue on NY 12B
4.6 mi·6 min·State Route 12B
4
Continue on NY 12B
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
5
Continue on NY 12B
3.7 mi·5 min·State Highway 12B
6
Continue on NY 12B
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
7
Continue on NY 12
10 mi·15 min·State Highway 12
8
Continue on NY 12
0.6 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
9
Turn left onto NY 23
8.3 mi·9 min·Rexford Street
10
Turn right onto NY 8
18 mi·20 min·State Highway 8
11
Continue on NY 8
0.4 mi·29 sec·Airport Road
12
Continue on NY 8
19 mi·21 min·State Highway 8
13
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.3 mi·18 sec·Oak Street
14
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.4 mi·44 sec·State Highway 10
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward NY 17 East
16
Merge onto NY 17
105 mi·2 hr 10 min·NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto US 6
7.1 mi·9 min·US 6
Exit 130AToward US 6: Bear Mountain
18
Enter roundabout
346 ft·4 sec
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
19
Continue
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
20
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 9EToward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, White Plains, New York State Thruway SouthUse the right lane.
22
Merge onto I 87; I 287
9.2 mi·12 min·New York State Thruway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
1.0 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 7AToward Saw Mill River Parkway SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi·10 min·Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward West Yonkers AvenueUse the slight right lane.
27
Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Yonkers Avenue
28
Continue on Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi·57 sec·Nepperhan Avenue
29
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A
229 ft·5 sec·South Broadway
Use the left lane.
30
Arrive at destination
US 9; NY 9A
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-and-a-half-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Hamilton to maximize your time in Yonkers and avoid potential traffic as you approach the city. With only one recommended stop and a significant portion on highways, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 104.7-mile stretch on NY 17, as services might be less frequent. Planning your fuel stops strategically will ensure a smooth journey, and the estimated $36 fuel cost provides a good budgeting baseline.
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 108.6 miles from Hamilton, NY, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.7 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 48 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.6 miles or 2h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yonkers, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hamilton, 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 Hamilton, NY
This is one driving day of about 217.2 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Hamilton, 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 NY 17 for about 104.7 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 69.3 and 217.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
69.3 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward NY 17 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward NY 17 East
8
197 mi into trip|~4h 7m 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...
7
207.6 mi into trip|~4h 22m in
Take the exit toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 7A
Toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
7
215.8 mi into trip|~4h 33m in
Take the exit toward West Yonkers Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward West Yonkers Avenue
7
217.1 mi into trip|~4h 35m in|US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.14 one way
$70.27 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$38.13
$76.26
premium
$4.85
$41.46
$82.91
diesel
$4.80
$41.01
$82.02
Estimated Tolls: $0.51
New York State Thruway
(10.2 mi)$0.51
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
$35
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.2
0
$22.81
$10.43
Efficient EV
54.3
0
$19.01
$8.69
EV Truck/SUV
86.9
1
$30.41
$13.90
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Hamilton, NY
Morning
in Hamilton on Sunday
Local time
6:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 8 to 12 mph90% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:44PM EDT until July 18 at 6:45PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:05PM EDT until July 18 at 8:15PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Morning
in Yonkers on Sunday
Local time
6:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Patchy Smoke
S 10 mph94% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:44PM EDT until July 18 at 6:45PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:05PM EDT until July 18 at 8:15PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
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
23 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
4h 36m 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
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 209.9
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 209.9
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
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 209.9
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
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 209.9
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
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 209.9
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
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 209.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this route, with 88% of the drive utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 104.7 miles along NY 17, offering a consistent pace. While the initial part of the journey might involve State Highway 8, the overall profile leans towards efficient travel on established highways. As you get closer to Yonkers, the Palisades Interstate Parkway will likely introduce a different feel, but the majority of your time will be spent on high-speed routes.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.7 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and State Highway 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 69.3 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 15 significant decision points across 217.2 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 69.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 197 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 207.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,582 ft86 ft
Total Climb
863 ft
Total Descent
1,903 ft
Highest Point
1,582 ft
~139.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,496 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hamilton, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South, White Plains and New York State Thruway South.
Yonkers is a city of 211,569 people (2020) in Westchester County. The third most populous city in New York state, Yonkers is a suburb of New York City and borders the Borough of the Bronx. Yonkers is known as the "City of Seven Hills," which are Park, Nodine, Ridge, Cross, Locust, Glen, and Church hills.
Top landmarks
•Untermyer Park — public garden
•Hudson River Museum — museum in Yonkers, N.Y.
•Glenview Mansion — historic house in New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 36m. Total distance: 217.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.7 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.51 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 5 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 Yonkers, 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 69.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 197 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 207.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Yonkers, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
