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Trip from Harrison, NY to Amherst, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 52m

Distance

373.3 mi

601 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$61

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
7h 44m ★
6 AM
7h 53m
8 AM
8h 11m
10 AM
7h 59m
12 PM
7h 57m
3 PM
8h 0m
5 PM
8h 10m
8 PM
7h 47m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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community (coterminous town-village) in Westchester County, New York, United States

Harrison, NY

Wikimedia Commons

town in New York, United States

Amherst, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 373.3-mile drive from Harrison, NY, to Amherst, NY, will take approximately 7 hours and 52 minutes, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. You'll primarily travel on the New York State Thruway and I-81, with a shorter section on Long Mountain Parkway. With a projected fuel cost of $61, this route offers a direct path across New York State. While it's a single-day journey, the duration means an early start is recommended to avoid feeling rushed. This trip stays within the Northeast region, connecting two points within New York.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

186.6 miles from Harrison, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 108.4 mi 2h 7m
Long Mountain Parkway 107.6 mi 2h 15m
I 81 39.3 mi 46m
NY 17 33.7 mi 40m
Palisades Interstate Parkway 14.9 mi 17m
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 — 108.4 mi, about 2h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Harrison, NY and Amherst, NY.

1

Start on Halstead Avenue

50 ft · 6 sec · Halstead Avenue
2

Turn right onto NY 127

1.3 mi · 2 min · Harrison Avenue
3

Continue on NY 127

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Street
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
5

Merge onto Hutchinson River Parkway

0.9 mi · 1 min · Hutchinson River Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 46 sec
Exit 15B Toward I 287 West: White Plains Use the right lane.
7

Turn straight onto Westchester Avenue

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Westchester Avenue
8

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward I 287 West
9

Merge onto I 287

7.7 mi · 9 min · Cross Westchester Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 87; I 287

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

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 13N Toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway

15 mi · 17 min · Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Exit 18 Toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State Thruway
14

Enter roundabout onto US 6

375 ft · 5 sec · Long Mountain Parkway
15

Continue on US 6

108 mi · 2 hr 14 min · Long Mountain Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on NY 17

34 mi · 40 min · NY 17
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

37 mi · 43 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
19

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Exit 52 Toward NY 13: Cortland
20

Turn right onto NY 13

39 ft · 5 sec · Clinton Avenue
21

Turn left onto Locust Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · Locust Avenue
22

Continue on Albany Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Albany Street
23

At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
24

Turn left onto NY 41

10 mi · 15 min · Clinton Street
25

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road
26

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
27

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road
28

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 48 sec · East Lake Street
29

Turn left onto US 20

7.3 mi · 13 min · East Genesee Street
30

Turn right onto US 20

0.2 mi · 12 sec · North Fulton Street
31

Turn left onto US 20; NY 5

0.4 mi · 1 min · Arterial West
32

Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38

9.8 mi · 11 min · Chase Street
Use the left lane.
33

Continue on US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
34

Turn right onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318
35

Continue on NY 318

319 ft · 10 sec · NY 318
Use the right lane.
36

Turn right onto NY 414

0.3 mi · 28 sec · State Route 414
Use the right lane.
37

Continue on NY 414

217 ft · 11 sec · Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
38

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Use the left lane.
39

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo Use the straight / right lanes.
40

Merge onto I 90

100 mi · 1 hr 55 min · New York State Thruway
41

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 36 sec
Exit 50 Toward I 290: Niagara Falls Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42

Continue on I 290

1.8 mi · 2 min · Youngmann Expressway
43

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 6 Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44

Turn left onto NY 324

0.9 mi · 1 min · Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
45

Turn left onto NY 263

469 ft · 13 sec · Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
46

Arrive at destination

NY 263

Trip Plan

For this 373.3-mile trip, leaving Harrison, NY, early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays. With a 7-hour 52-minute estimated duration, plan for at least two stops to stretch your legs and refuel. The New York State Thruway is your main artery for a significant portion, so be mindful of toll plazas and rest area availability along that stretch. Given the drive's length, consider breaking it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace, though it is manageable in one day.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 186.6 miles from Harrison, NY, or about 3h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.4 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 82 miles or 1h 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 186.6 miles or 3h 54m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 41m

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 Harrison, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Harrison, NY

This is one driving day of about 373.3 miles and 7h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Harrison, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 108.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Poughkeepsie, NY

187 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.

Popular next leg

Poughkeepsie, NY to Amherst, NY

353.4 mi · 6h 58m

Pacing Suggestions

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Endwell, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 186.6 miles from Harrison, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

ViaLynk Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 53.3

Goshen, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15186913119

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 346.6

Corfu, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

ViaLynk Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 53.3

Goshen, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15186913119

Visit website

HondoGO Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 26.7

Garnerville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 266.6

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 266.6

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 266.6

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Evoke Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Rye, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18134925220

Visit website

Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 373.3

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 10:30 am–2:30 pm

+17168563858

Visit website

Billy Wilson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 373.3

Williamsville, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+17166317132

Visit website

The Buffalo Zoo

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 373.3

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17168373900

Visit website

Delaware Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 373.3

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17168381249

Visit website

The Adventure Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 213.3

Cortland, New York

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+18663763907

Visit website

5 Wits Buffalo

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 373.3

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 12–8 pm

+17162730600

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 30

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.7 and 372.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
3.7 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the exit toward I 287 West: White Plains

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

Use the right lane. Exit 15B Toward I 287 West: White Plains
8
20.9 mi into trip | ~29m in

Take the exit toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain

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 13N Toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain
7
269.5 mi into trip | ~5h 50m in

Take the ramp

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
269.7 mi into trip | ~5h 50m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 West: Buffalo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
8
372.1 mi into trip | ~7h 50m 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

$61.45 one way

$122.90 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 131 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $66.44 $132.89
premium $4.92 $72.35 $144.71
diesel $5.61 $82.42 $164.84

Estimated Tolls: $5.42

New York State Thruway (108.4 mi) $5.42

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

$61

Tolls

$5

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$92–$117

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 130.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 112 1 $39.20 $17.92
Efficient EV 93.3 1 $32.66 $14.93
EV Truck/SUV 149.3 1 $52.26 $23.89

Gas CO2

131 kg

EV CO2

44 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

Harrison, NY

Late night in Harrison on Sunday

Local time

1:59 AM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Amherst, NY

Late night in Amherst on Sunday

Local time

1:59 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

7h 52m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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

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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 257.4
View on nps.gov
Women's Rights National Historical Park

Women's Rights National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

5 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 270.3
View on nps.gov
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...

16 mi from route ~40 min detour Free
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...

17 mi from route ~42 min detour Free
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...

22 mi from route ~55 min detour Free
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...

23 mi from route ~58 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 58% of your journey on highways. The majority of your time will be spent on the New York State Thruway, which includes the longest uninterrupted stretch of 108.4 miles. This highway-centric profile suggests periods of steady cruising, punctuated by transitions onto other major roadways like I-81. While not overly technical, the mix of high-speed sections and potential for traffic can make for a varied driving experience.

58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
46 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.4 mi on New York State Thruway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 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 30 significant decision points across 373.3 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 3.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 269.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Harrison, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain, New York State Thruway and Albany.

Palisades Parkway North

20.9 mi in | ~29m

Bear Mountain

20.9 mi in | ~29m

New York State Thruway

36.5 mi in | ~48m

Albany

178.2 mi in | ~3h 44m | via I 81

About the Cities

Starting in Harrison, NY

Full guide →

Harrison is a town and village in Westchester County, New York.

Arriving in Amherst, NY

Full guide →

Amherst is a town in the Northtowns of Erie County, New York.

Top landmarks

  • • Entranceway at Main Street at Roycroft Boulevard — residential landscape feature in Amherst, New York state, USA
  • • Entranceways at Main Street at Lamarck Drive and Smallwood Drive — residential landscape feature in Amherst, New York state, USA

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 7h 52m. Total distance: 373.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 108.4 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $5.42 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 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 3.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 269.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Women's Rights National Historical Park and Hamilton Grange 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 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.8 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.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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