This 85.6-mile drive from Henrietta, NY to Syracuse, NY takes approximately 1 hour and 43 minutes and is a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on the New York State Thruway, with a brief stint on I-690 as you approach Syracuse. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $14. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. Both locations are within the Northeast region, so you won't be crossing any major regional boundaries.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.8 miles from Henrietta, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
72.8 mi
1h 24m
I 690
7.9 mi
9m
Lehigh Station Road
1.5 mi
2m
West Genesee Street
0.4 mi
1m
South State Street
0.2 mi
<1m
James Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Erie Boulevard East
<0.1 mi
<1m
Oswego Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 72.8 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Henrietta, NY and Syracuse, NY.
1
Start on NY 253
1.5 mi·2 min·Lehigh Station Road
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·22 sec
Toward I 390 SouthUse the left lane.
3
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·28 sec
Exit 12BToward I 90: New York Thruway
4
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·6 sec·this road
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·32 sec
Toward I 90 East: AlbanyUse the slight left lane.
6
Merge onto I 90
73 mi·1 hr 24 min·New York State Thruway
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 39Toward I 690, NY 690: Syracuse, FultonUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 690 East: Fairgrounds, Syracuse
9
Continue on I 690
7.9 mi·9 min·I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward DowntownUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward DowntownUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·West Genesee Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on NY 5
0.1 mi·23 sec·James Street
14
Turn right onto NY 5
317 ft·11 sec·Oswego Boulevard
15
Continue on NY 5
524 ft·18 sec·Erie Boulevard East
16
Turn right onto US 11
0.2 mi·25 sec·South State Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 1 hour and 43-minute drive, you have the advantage of flexibility. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic in both Henrietta and Syracuse. The longest stretch on the New York State Thruway is over 70 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get on the highway. While there are no specified stops, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is prudent, with an estimated cost of $14 for the trip. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests paying close attention to navigation as you transition on and off the main thoroughfares.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 42.8 miles from Henrietta, NY, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.8 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 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.8 miles or 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 25m
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 Henrietta, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Henrietta, NY
This is one driving day of about 85.6 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Henrietta, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 72.8 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 84.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.5 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 390 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 390 South
6
1.9 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90: New York Thruway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 12B
Toward I 90: New York Thruway
7
2.4 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 90 East: Albany
8
75.7 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward I 690, NY 690: Syracuse, Fulton
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 39
Toward I 690, NY 690: Syracuse, Fulton
8
84.6 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.09 one way
$28.18 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$15.24
$30.47
premium
$4.92
$16.59
$33.18
diesel
$5.61
$18.90
$37.80
Estimated Tolls: $3.64
New York State Thruway
(72.8 mi)$3.64
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
$14
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.7
0
$8.99
$4.11
Efficient EV
21.4
0
$7.49
$3.42
EV Truck/SUV
34.2
0
$11.98
$5.48
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Henrietta, NY
Late night
in Henrietta on Sunday
Local time
12:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Late night
in Syracuse on Sunday
Local time
12:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Montezuma, NY
43 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
13 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
1h 43m 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.
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 44.3
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 56.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mostly highway-focused experience on this route, with the New York State Thruway accounting for a significant portion of your travel. The highway share is 9%, indicating a predominantly fast-paced drive. Your longest uninterrupted stretch will be 72.8 miles on the Thruway, offering a chance to settle in. While the profile is described as 'turn-heavy local drive,' this likely refers to the segments before and after the main highway portions, particularly on roads like Lehigh Station Road, so be prepared for more active navigation as you enter and exit the Thruway.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.8 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 1.5 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.6 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2.4 miles: 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.
On the drive from Henrietta, NY to Syracuse, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Fulton along the way.
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 1h 43m. Total distance: 85.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.8 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.64 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.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Women's Rights National Historical Park and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Syracuse, NY before heading back.
