Embarking on a journey from Harrison, NY, to Syracuse, NY, covers 249.9 miles and is estimated to take about 5 hours and 9 minutes of driving time. This drive is best suited as a single-day trip, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points within New York. The estimated fuel cost for this 249.9-mile route is around $41. You'll find this trip is predominantly highway-focused, offering a straightforward transit experience through the Northeast region. With a high highway share of 94%, it's a route designed for steady progress.
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
125 miles from Harrison, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Mountain Parkway
107.6 mi
2h 15m
I 81
70.5 mi
1h 22m
NY 17
33.7 mi
40m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
14.9 mi
17m
New York State Thruway
8.9 mi
11m
Cross Westchester Expressway
7.7 mi
9m
Harrison Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
North Street
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Long Mountain Parkway
— 107.6 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrison, NY and Syracuse, 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 15BToward I 287 West: White PlainsUse 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 13NToward Palisades Parkway North, Bear MountainUse 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 18Toward 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
66 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: SyracuseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
0.2 mi·17 sec·I 81
Toward SyracuseUse the straight lane.
20
Continue on I-81
0.4 mi·26 sec·I-81
21
Continue on I 81
1.9 mi·2 min·I 81
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Adams Street, Harrison StreetUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on Almond Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Almond Street
Use the left / slight left / straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto NY 92
0.3 mi·36 sec·East Genesee Street
25
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
10 ft·0 sec·South State Street
26
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive from Harrison to Syracuse, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially if you're aiming to complete it in one day. You'll have one recommended stop, but with a longest stretch of 107.6 miles, plan your break strategically. The fuel cost is estimated at $41, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before setting off. A helpful tip for this route is to keep an eye on your GPS for potential traffic patterns as you approach Syracuse, as I-81 can see congestion during peak hours.
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 125 miles from Harrison, NY, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.6 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 55 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125 miles or 2h 39m 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 15m
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 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Harrison, NY
This is one driving day of about 249.9 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Harrison, 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 Long Mountain Parkway for about 107.6 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.7 and 249.1 — 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
180 mi into trip|~3h 46m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Syracuse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
7
246.5 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward Syracuse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Syracuse
7
249.1 mi into trip|~5h 7m in
Take the exit toward Adams Street, Harrison Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Adams Street, Harrison Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.14 one way
$82.27 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$44.48
$88.96
premium
$4.92
$48.44
$96.87
diesel
$5.61
$55.17
$110.35
Estimated Tolls: $0.44
New York State Thruway
(8.9 mi)$0.44
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
$41
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75
0
$26.24
$12.00
Efficient EV
62.5
0
$21.87
$10.00
EV Truck/SUV
100
1
$34.99
$15.99
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Harrison, NY
Late night
in Harrison on Sunday
Local time
3:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Late night
in Syracuse on Sunday
Local time
3:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°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
11 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
5h 9m 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...
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...
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 241.5
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the journey taking place on major roadways like Long Mountain Parkway and I-81. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 107.6 miles on Long Mountain Parkway. While primarily an interstate experience, the transition to NY-17 will offer a slight variation in scenery and road type. The overall character is one of efficient travel, prioritizing getting you to your destination with minimal detours.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.6 mi on Long Mountain Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Mountain Parkway and I 81. 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 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 17 significant decision points across 249.9 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 180 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain, New York State Thruway and Albany.
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 5h 9m. Total distance: 249.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107.6 miles on Long Mountain Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.44 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 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 180 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Syracuse, NY before the return drive.
