This 181.5-mile drive from Johnson City, NY to Yonkers, NY takes about 3 hours and 49 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily be on highways, with 92% of the route utilizing major interstates and parkways. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $30. The drive is predominantly highway-focused, offering a straightforward path north through New York State. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 129.9 miles, you can expect a relatively unbroken journey. This route is ideal for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
90.7 miles from Johnson City, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
129.9 mi
2h 40m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
15.1 mi
17m
New York State Thruway
10.2 mi
13m
Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi
10m
Southern Tier Expressway
7.4 mi
9m
US 6
7.1 mi
9m
Yonkers Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 129.9 mi, about 2h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson City, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on this road
168 ft·14 sec·this road
2
Turn right
43 ft·5 sec
3
Turn right onto Harrison Street
166 ft·12 sec·Harrison Street
4
Turn left onto NY 17C
0.4 mi·1 min·Main Street
5
Turn left
0.2 mi·37 sec
6
Turn straight onto NY 201
0.1 mi·11 sec·NY 201
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward NY 17 East: Binghamton
8
Merge onto NY 17
7.4 mi·9 min·Southern Tier Expressway
9
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.
10
Take the exit onto US 6
7.1 mi·9 min·US 6
Exit 130AToward US 6: Bear Mountain
11
Enter roundabout
346 ft·4 sec
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
12
Continue
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
13
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Merge onto I 87; I 287
9.2 mi·12 min·New York State Thruway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
1.0 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 7AToward Saw Mill River Parkway SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi·10 min·Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward West Yonkers AvenueUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Yonkers Avenue
21
Continue on Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi·57 sec·Nepperhan Avenue
22
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A
229 ft·5 sec·South Broadway
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
US 9; NY 9A
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 49-minute duration, an early morning departure from Johnson City is recommended to maximize your day in Yonkers. The $30 fuel budget is reasonable for this distance, but it's always wise to top off your tank before leaving, especially with a 129.9-mile stretch on I 86 where services might be less frequent. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point or before you transition onto the Palisades Interstate Parkway. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your timing based on traffic, particularly as you get closer to the New York metropolitan area.
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 90.7 miles from Johnson City, NY, or about 1h 54m 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 40 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.7 miles or 1h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 6m
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 Johnson City, 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 Johnson City, NY
This is one driving day of about 181.5 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Johnson City, 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 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.6 and 181.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
8.6 mi into trip|~13m 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
161.3 mi into trip|~3h 20m 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...
7
171.9 mi into trip|~3h 35m in
Take the exit toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 7A
Toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
7
180.2 mi into trip|~3h 47m in
Take the exit toward West Yonkers Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward West Yonkers Avenue
7
181.4 mi into trip|~3h 49m in|US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.88 one way
$59.75 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$32.31
$64.61
premium
$4.92
$35.18
$70.36
diesel
$5.61
$40.07
$80.15
Estimated Tolls: $0.51
New York State Thruway
(10.2 mi)$0.51
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
$30
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.4
0
$19.06
$8.71
Efficient EV
45.4
0
$15.88
$7.26
EV Truck/SUV
72.6
0
$25.41
$11.62
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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 16, 2026
Origin
Johnson City, NY
Afternoon
in Johnson City on Sunday
Local time
1:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Afternoon
in Yonkers on Sunday
Local time
1:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 6 to 12 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
54°F
Monticello, NY
91 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
49 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
3h 49m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 181.5
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 181.5
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 181.5
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 181.5
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 181.5
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...
17 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 181.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 181.5-mile trip, with 92% of the drive on major roads like I 86, the Palisades Interstate Parkway, and the New York State Thruway. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 129.9 miles on I 86, giving you a substantial period of consistent driving. While primarily interstate, the inclusion of the Palisades Interstate Parkway may offer a different feel as you approach your destination. This route is designed for efficiency, prioritizing speed and directness over winding scenic byways.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and Palisades Interstate Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.6 miles in near I 86; NY 17.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 181.5 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 8.6 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,555 ft0 ft
Total Climb
1,045 ft
Total Descent
2,362 ft
Highest Point
1,555 ft
~77.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,555 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Johnson City, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South, White Plains, New York State Thruway South and Saw Mill River Parkway South.
Binghamton is a city of 48,000 people (2020) in upstate New York, at the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers. It is the cultural and financial center of the Greater Binghamton Metropolitan Area and is the Broome County seat. Binghamton is part of the "Triple Cities" with Endicott and Johnson City.
Binghamton has many fantastic examples of Romanesque Revival Architecture in the city's center; for this, and for its collection of ornate mansions and nice homes, it's known as the Parlor City. The Binghamton area is also known as the Carousel Capital of America, home to 6 of the remaining 150 antique carousels in the nation. Other historic attractions are the Roberson Museum, Kopernik Space Center, and the Ross Park Zoo.
Rod Serling, the screenwriter and television producer, was born here, and the regional sandwich known as the "spiedie" was created here.
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 3h 49m. Total distance: 181.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 $0.51 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 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 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 8.6 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Yonkers, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
