Kiryas Joel to Amherst is 329 miles and takes about 6h 57m via US 6 and the New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. The drive offers a mixed experience, balancing interstate speed with some highway travel. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a feasible journey for those looking to cover ground efficiently within the state.
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
164.5 miles from Kiryas Joel, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 6
131.3 mi
2h 42m
New York State Thruway
99.6 mi
1h 55m
I 81
39.3 mi
46m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
Chase Street
9.8 mi
11m
East Genesee Street
7.3 mi
13m
State Route 41
4.8 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
US 6
— 131.3 mi, about 2h 42m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~952 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,382
Quietest
2 AM
~95 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 17 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 Kiryas Joel, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on this road
95 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Hayes Court
318 ft·19 sec·Hayes Court
3
At end of road, turn left onto Forest Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Forest Road
4
Turn left onto Forest Avenue
400 ft·11 sec·Forest Avenue
5
Turn slight right onto Schunnemunk Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Schunnemunk Road
6
Continue on Schunnemunk Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·Schunnemunk Street
7
Turn right onto NY 208
0.1 mi·17 sec·North Main Street
8
Turn straight onto NY 208
0.5 mi·1 min·NY 208
9
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward NY 17 West, US 6 West: Chester
10
Merge onto US 6; NY 17
131 mi·2 hr 42 min·US 6; NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
14
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
15
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
16
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
17
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
18
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
19
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
20
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
21
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
22
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
23
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
24
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
25
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
26
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
28
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
29
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
30
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
31
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
32
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
34
Merge onto I 90
100 mi·1 hr 55 min·New York State Thruway
35
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on I 290
1.8 mi·2 min·Youngmann Expressway
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Turn left onto NY 324
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
39
Turn left onto NY 263
469 ft·13 sec·Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
40
Arrive at destination
NY 263
Trip Plan
Given the 6 hour and 57 minute estimated duration, starting early in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive with ample daylight. The route is designed for a single day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider breaking it up. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 131.3-mile stretch on US 6, as convenient stops might be less frequent. Budgeting around $54 for fuel is a good estimate for this 329-mile journey.
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 164.5 miles from Kiryas Joel, NY, or about 3h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.3 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 72 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.5 miles or 3h 25m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Amherst, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kiryas Joel, 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 Kiryas Joel, NY
This is one driving day of about 329 miles and 6h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Kiryas Joel, 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 US 6 for about 131.3 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 327.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.2 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward NY 17 West, US 6 West: Chester
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NY 17 West, US 6 West: Chester
7
225.3 mi into trip|~4h 55m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
225.4 mi into trip|~4h 55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 West: Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
7
325.6 mi into trip|~6h 52m 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
8
327.8 mi into trip|~6h 55m in
Take the exit toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem R...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.12 one way
$116.24 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$62.89
$125.77
premium
$5.28
$68.34
$136.68
diesel
$6.18
$80.04
$160.07
Estimated Tolls: $4.98
New York State Thruway
(99.6 mi)$4.98
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
$58
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.7
1
$34.55
$15.79
Efficient EV
82.3
0
$28.79
$13.16
EV Truck/SUV
131.6
1
$46.06
$21.06
Gas CO2
115 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Kiryas Joel, NY
Late night
in Kiryas Joel on Tuesday
Local time
4:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Patchy Frost then Sunny
N 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Amherst, NY
Late night
in Amherst on Tuesday
Local time
4:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Sunny
SW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
61°F
Hamilton, NY
165 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 57m 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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 204.2
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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 226.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents a mixed drive profile, with 55% of it being on highways. You'll encounter stretches on US 6, the New York State Thruway, and I-81, offering a variety of driving experiences. The longest continuous stretch you'll navigate is 131.3 miles on US 6, which provides a substantial period of consistent travel. Expect the road to evolve as you progress, transitioning between different types of roadways and speeds.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 131.3 mi on US 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in.
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 25 significant decision points across 329 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 2.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 225.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 225.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,631 ft467 ft
Total Climb
1,737 ft
Total Descent
1,834 ft
Highest Point
1,631 ft
~188 mi in
Elevation Range
1,164 ft
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 Kiryas Joel, NY to Amherst, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Albany along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 57m. Total distance: 329 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 57m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 131.3 miles on US 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.98 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 24 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 Amherst, 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 225.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 225.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park and Women's Rights National Historical Park. 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 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Amherst, NY before the return drive.
