Irondequoit, NY to Elmhurst, NY is 324.5 miles and takes about 6h 59m via I 81, Keystone Shortway, and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily traveling through New York. You'll spend more time on surface roads than on the highway, so expect a more varied driving experience. It's a manageable distance for a single day, but be prepared for a good chunk of time behind the wheel.
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
162.3 miles from Irondequoit, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
70.8 mi
1h 27m
New York State Thruway
30 mi
34m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Eastern Expressway
10.8 mi
13m
NJ 3
10.5 mi
11m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 246 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,393 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,118
Quietest
1 AM
~445 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Irondequoit, NY and Elmhurst, NY.
1
Start on Cranbrooke Drive
38 ft·7 sec·Cranbrooke Drive
2
Turn left onto CR 118
0.2 mi·30 sec·North Kings Highway
3
Turn left onto CR 91
1.5 mi·2 min·Titus Avenue
4
Enter roundabout onto NY 590
17 ft·0 sec·Outer Loop
5
Continue on NY 590
4.5 mi·6 min·Outer Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward I 490 East, I 490 West: Victor, Downtown RochesterUse the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·43 sec
Toward I 490 East: VictorUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 490
11 mi·13 min·Eastern Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
10
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
13
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
14
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
16
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
18
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
19
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
20
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
21
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
22
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
23
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
24
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
25
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
26
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
27
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
28
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
30
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
34
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
35
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
36
Merge onto I 80
71 mi·1 hr 27 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 53Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln TunnelUse the slight right lane.
38
Merge onto US 46
2.1 mi·2 min·US 46
39
Continue on US 46
1.6 mi·1 min·US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Turn slight left onto NJ 3
11 mi·11 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel, Kennedy BoulevardUse the straight / right lanes.
42
Merge onto NJ 495
1.1 mi·1 min·NJ 495
43
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Weehawken, Hoboken, Ferries to New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Continue on South Marginal Highway
0.1 mi·10 sec·South Marginal Highway
45
Turn right onto Boulevard East
0.4 mi·1 min·Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
46
Take the ramp
123 ft·14 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York CityUse the straight / right lanes.
47
Turn right
0.2 mi·57 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel access
48
Merge onto NJ 495
1.6 mi·4 min·Lincoln Tunnel
49
Keep slight right at fork
265 ft·6 sec
Toward Dyer Avenue
50
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft·8 sec
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square Garden
51
Continue on Dyer Avenue
350 ft·19 sec·Dyer Avenue
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square GardenUse the left / straight lanes.
52
Turn left onto West 36th Street
1.3 mi·3 min·West 36th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
53
Take the ramp
68 ft·1 sec
Toward I 495: Queens-Midtown Tunnel
54
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
2.5 mi·4 min·I 495
55
Take the exit
0.6 mi·58 sec
Exit 17W-EToward I 278: Staten Island, Bronx, LaGuardia AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
56
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 495 Alternate: Maurice Avenue
57
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward Maurice AvenueUse the slight right lane.
58
Turn straight onto Borden Avenue
285 ft·16 sec·Borden Avenue
59
Turn left onto Maurice Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Maurice Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
60
Continue on Maurice Avenue
222 ft·8 sec·Maurice Avenue
61
Continue on 51st Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·51st Avenue
62
Turn slight right onto Queens Boulevard
0.3 mi·57 sec·Queens Boulevard
63
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
42 ft·1 sec·Grand Avenue
64
Arrive at destination
Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 59m estimated drive time, leaving Irondequoit in the morning is your best bet to make it to Elmhurst before dark. You'll have one recommended stop, so plan that break strategically. With a fuel cost estimated at $58, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 98.8-mile stretch on I 81 where services might be less frequent. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility; however, the significant portion on surface roads means you should be prepared for potential traffic delays closer to Elmhurst.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.3 miles from Irondequoit, NY, or about 3h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 71 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.3 miles or 3h 32m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elmhurst, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Irondequoit, 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 Irondequoit, NY
This is one driving day of about 324.5 miles and 6h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Irondequoit, 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 I 81 for about 98.8 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 48
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.2 and 315.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
6.2 mi into trip|~9m 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...
8
48.4 mi into trip|~59m 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
9
198.7 mi into trip|~4h 15m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
298.6 mi into trip|~6h 15m in
Take the exit toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel
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 53
Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunn...
8
315.3 mi into trip|~6h 36m in
Take the ramp toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York City
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.49 one way
$104.99 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$56.97
$113.93
premium
$4.85
$61.94
$123.87
diesel
$4.80
$61.27
$122.54
Estimated Tolls: $17.50
Lincoln Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30 mi)$1.50
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
$52
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$95–$120
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.4
1
$34.07
$15.58
Efficient EV
81.1
0
$28.39
$12.98
EV Truck/SUV
129.8
1
$45.43
$20.77
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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
Irondequoit, NY
Late night
in Irondequoit on Monday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny then Patchy Smoke
NE 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Elmhurst, NY
Late night
in Elmhurst on Monday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Areas Of Smoke
NW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
162 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
5 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
6h 59m 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...
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 313.3
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 313.3
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 313.3
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 313.3
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 313.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is split between highway and surface roads, with 54% of the drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 98.8 miles on I 81. You'll transition from highway cruising to more surface road driving as you get closer to your destination. Expect a significant portion of your time to be spent on surface roads, which can mean more varied speed limits and traffic patterns.
Only 54% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
64 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 6.2 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 48 significant decision points across 324.5 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 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,826 ft23 ft
Total Climb
2,106 ft
Total Descent
2,466 ft
Highest Point
1,826 ft
~208.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,804 ft
Notable High Points
1,826 ft at ~208.6 miles+728 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Irondequoit, NY and Elmhurst, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford and Clifton.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 59m. Total distance: 324.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 59m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $17.50 in tolls one way, starting with Lincoln Tunnel. 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 38 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 Elmhurst, 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 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Stonewall National Monument and African Burial Ground National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Elmhurst, NY before the return drive.
