Planning a trip from Hilton, NY, to Yonkers, NY? This 333.2-mile drive will take approximately 7 hours and 10 minutes, making it a feasible day trip if you get an early start. You'll be spending a good portion of your time on major highways, with about 72% of the journey on interstates. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $55. With two recommended stops, you'll have opportunities to break up the drive. This is a highway-focused route that efficiently connects two points within the Northeast region.
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
166.6 miles from Hilton, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
129.9 mi
2h 40m
I 81
45.4 mi
54m
New York State Thruway
40.3 mi
48m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
15.1 mi
17m
Eastern Expressway
10.8 mi
13m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 129.9 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,020 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~94 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 3 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on NY 18
104 ft·3 sec·West Avenue
2
Continue on NY 18; NY 259
367 ft·14 sec·Main Street
3
Turn right onto NY 18; NY 259
0.5 mi·45 sec·South Avenue
4
Continue on NY 18; NY 259
1.5 mi·2 min·Hilton-Parma Corners Road
5
Turn left onto NY 18
2.0 mi·2 min·Parma Center Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto NY 18; NY 261
2.9 mi·5 min·Manitou Road
7
Turn left onto NY 104
6.9 mi·10 min·West Ridge Road
8
Continue on NY 104
0.2 mi·12 sec·Veterans Memorial Bridge
9
Continue on NY 104
3.4 mi·4 min·Keeler Street Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward NY 590 South: Downtown Rochester
11
Merge onto NY 590
3.3 mi·4 min·Outer Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward I 490 East, I 490 West: Victor, Downtown RochesterUse the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·43 sec
Toward I 490 East: VictorUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 490
11 mi·13 min·Eastern Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
16
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
19
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
20
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
21
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
22
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
24
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
25
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
26
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
27
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
28
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
29
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
30
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
31
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
32
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
33
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
34
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
35
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
36
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
130 mi·2 hr 40 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit onto US 6
7.1 mi·9 min·US 6
Exit 130AToward US 6: Bear Mountain
39
Enter roundabout
346 ft·4 sec
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
40
Continue
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
41
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
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.
43
Merge onto I 87; I 287
9.2 mi·12 min·New York State Thruway
44
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
1.0 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 7AToward Saw Mill River Parkway SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi·10 min·Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
47
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward West Yonkers AvenueUse the slight right lane.
48
Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Yonkers Avenue
49
Continue on Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi·57 sec·Nepperhan Avenue
50
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A
229 ft·5 sec·South Broadway
Use the left lane.
51
Arrive at destination
US 9; NY 9A
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 10-minute drive, consider departing from Hilton, NY, early in the morning to avoid heavier traffic, especially as you approach Yonkers. With 333.2 miles to cover, planning for two stops is wise. The longest stretch without a major break is 129.9 miles on I-86, so factor in a fuel and stretch break before you hit that point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as highway driving can consume fuel steadily; your estimated cost is $55.
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 166.6 miles from Hilton, NY, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.9 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 73 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.6 miles or 3h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 53m
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 Hilton, 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 Hilton, NY
This is one driving day of about 333.2 miles and 7h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Hilton, 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 I 86 for about 129.9 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 35
5 decision points cluster between mile 21.2 and 313 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
21.2 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward I 490 East, I 490 West: Victor, Downtown Rochester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 5
Toward I 490 East, I 490 West: Victor, Downtown...
7
21.4 mi into trip|~31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 490 East: Victor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 490 East: Victor
8
63.4 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
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 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
7
160.3 mi into trip|~3h 33m in|I 86; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17 toward New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward New York
8
313 mi into trip|~6h 41m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.90 one way
$107.80 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg117 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$58.49
$116.99
premium
$4.85
$63.60
$127.19
diesel
$4.80
$62.91
$125.83
Estimated Tolls: $2.01
New York State Thruway
(40.3 mi)$2.01
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
$54
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
100
1
$34.99
$15.99
Efficient EV
83.3
0
$29.16
$13.33
EV Truck/SUV
133.3
1
$46.65
$21.32
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (67% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Hilton, NY
Late night
in Hilton on Monday
Local time
3:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny then Patchy Smoke
NE 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Late night
in Yonkers on Monday
Local time
3:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Smoke
NW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
81°F
Hamilton, NY
167 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
4 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 10m 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
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...
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 73.2
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...
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 354
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 354
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 72% of its length on high-speed roads. You'll spend a significant amount of time on the New York State Thruway, I-81, and I-86. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 129.9 miles on I-86, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. Expect a steady pace for most of the journey, characterized by efficient travel between your origin and destination.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
51 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.9 mi on I 86.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.2 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 35 significant decision points across 333.2 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 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,375 ft86 ft
Total Climb
1,495 ft
Total Descent
1,688 ft
Highest Point
1,375 ft
~238 mi in
Elevation Range
1,289 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hilton, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward Rochester, Clyde, New York, 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 7h 10m. Total distance: 333.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 10m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.9 miles on I 86. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.01 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 18 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Yonkers, NY before the return drive.
