Ithaca to Tonawanda is 152.6 miles and takes about 3 hours 20 minutes via New York State Thruway, State Highway 96, and State Highway 89, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast. Most of the drive is on surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure highway trip. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing ample time for your destination upon arrival.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.3 miles from Ithaca, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
92.5 mi
1h 47m
State Highway 96
16.2 mi
23m
State Highway 89
10.1 mi
13m
Trumansburg Road
8.8 mi
13m
Youngmann Expressway
6.1 mi
8m
Ovid Street
2.8 mi
4m
Ernsberger Road
2.4 mi
4m
Townline Road
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 92.5 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ithaca, NY and Tonawanda, NY.
1
Start on NY 79
0.8 mi·1 min·East Seneca Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard
338 ft·15 sec·Taughannock Boulevard
3
Turn left onto NY 96
0.2 mi·21 sec·West Buffalo Street
4
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·2 min·Cliff Street
5
Continue on NY 96
8.7 mi·12 min·Trumansburg Road
6
Continue on NY 96
1.4 mi·2 min·East Main Street
7
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi·11 sec·Trumansburg Road
8
Continue on NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 96
9
Turn right onto CR 141A
1.5 mi·2 min·Powell Road
10
Continue on CR 141
0.9 mi·1 min·County Road 141
11
Turn left onto NY 89
10 mi·13 min·State Highway 89
12
Turn left onto CR 128
2.4 mi·4 min·Ernsberger Road
13
At end of road, turn right onto NY 414
2.8 mi·4 min·Ovid Street
14
Turn left onto NY 336
1.8 mi·3 min·Townline Road
15
Turn right onto NY 96
6.2 mi·8 min·State Highway 96
16
Continue on NY 96
0.2 mi·36 sec·Fayette Street
17
Turn right onto NY 96
354 ft·16 sec·West River Street
18
Turn left onto NY 96
0.3 mi·27 sec·Washington Street
19
Continue on NY 96
0.9 mi·1 min·South Virginia Street
20
Turn left onto NY 96
0.2 mi·15 sec·North Road
21
Continue on NY 96
6.0 mi·8 min·State Highway 96
22
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 90: Lyons, Thruway
23
Merge onto NY 14
0.2 mi·19 sec·NY 14
Use the left lane.
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Use the left lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·57 sec
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
26
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·29 sec·this road
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
27
Merge onto I 90
93 mi·1 hr 47 min·New York State Thruway
28
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 290
6.1 mi·8 min·Youngmann Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 2Toward NY 425: Colvin BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
31
Turn right onto NY 425
1.2 mi·2 min·Twin Cities Memorial Highway
32
Turn left onto Fillmore Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Fillmore Avenue
33
Turn left onto Fremont Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Fremont Street
34
Turn right onto Young Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·Young Street
35
Continue on Broad Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·Broad Street
36
Turn right onto NY 265
0.1 mi·21 sec·Seymour Street
37
Arrive at destination
NY 265
Trip Plan
Given this is a 3 hour 20 minute drive, leaving Ithaca in the morning should get you to Tonawanda with plenty of daylight remaining. The single recommended stop is well-placed for a break during the longest stretch on the New York State Thruway. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before you get onto the Thruway, as there are fewer services directly accessible from the highway itself. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility to depart later if needed, but an earlier start ensures a relaxed pace.
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 76.3 miles from Ithaca, NY, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.5 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 34 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.3 miles or 1h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tonawanda, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ithaca, 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 Ithaca, NY
This is one driving day of about 152.6 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Ithaca, 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 New York State Thruway for about 92.5 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 31.2 and 150 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
31.2 mi into trip|~47m in|NY 414 / Ovid Street
At end of road, turn right onto NY 414 / Ovid Street
Navigation decision point
6
49.9 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|NY 14
Merge onto NY 14
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
50.1 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
143.5 mi into trip|~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 290: Niagara Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 50
Toward I 290: Niagara Falls
7
150 mi into trip|~3h 14m in
Take the exit toward NY 425: Colvin Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2
Toward NY 425: Colvin Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.80 one way
$49.60 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$26.84
$53.69
premium
$4.87
$29.23
$58.47
diesel
$5.40
$32.46
$64.92
Estimated Tolls: $4.63
New York State Thruway
(92.5 mi)$4.63
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
$25
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.8
0
$16.02
$7.32
Efficient EV
38.2
0
$13.35
$6.10
EV Truck/SUV
61
0
$21.36
$9.77
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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 25, 2026
Origin
Ithaca, NY
Late night
in Ithaca on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
NE 2 to 6 mph31% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 11:36AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Tonawanda, NY
Late night
in Tonawanda on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Rain Showers
E 12 mph78% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 11:36AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
42°F
Geneva, NY
76 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 20m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 42.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 21% of this 152.6-mile route is on the New York State Thruway, featuring a longest stretch of 92.5 miles on that highway. After the Thruway portion, you'll transition to State Highway 96 and State Highway 89, which make up the majority of the drive. Expect frequent exits and a more varied driving environment as you move from the highway to these surface roads.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.5 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 31.2 miles in near NY 414 / Ovid Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 152.6 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 31.2 miles (NY 414 / Ovid Street): Navigation decision point; at 49.9 miles (NY 14): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Ithaca, NY to Tonawanda, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Thruway along the way.
Ithaca is a small city in the Finger Lakes region of central New York, at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake. In addition to being the home of Cornell University and Ithaca College, Ithaca is known for its several gorges and waterfalls, small eclectic shops and restaurants, and deep interest in politics.
Top landmarks
•Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art — art museum at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York
•Clinton House — former hotel in Ithaca, New York
•Andrew Dickson White House — Historic home on campus of Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Tonawanda is the name of both a city in the Northtowns of Erie County, New York, and the unincorporated suburban township that surrounds it. The incorporated village of Kenmore also makes up part of the Town of Tonawanda. All three of these places are covered in this article.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 152.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.5 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.63 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 15 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 Tonawanda, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 31.2 miles (NY 414 / Ovid Street): Navigation decision point; at 49.9 miles (NY 14): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Tonawanda, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
