Spanning 206.6 miles across the Northeast, this trip from Kiryas Joel to Syracuse typically takes about 3 hours and 19 minutes. Because the duration is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day journey, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $34 on fuel for the trip, making it a manageable expense for your travel budget. The route keeps you within New York state for the duration of the drive. It is a straightforward trip that allows you to reach your destination efficiently without the need for a multi-day itinerary.
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
102.8 miles from Kiryas Joel, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 6
131.3 mi
2h 42m
I 81
70.5 mi
1h 22m
Forest Road
0.7 mi
1m
NY 208
0.5 mi
1m
I-81
0.4 mi
<1m
Schunnemunk Road
0.4 mi
1m
Almond Street
0.3 mi
<1m
East Genesee Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 6
— 131.3 mi, about 2h 42m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,035 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,512
Quietest
2 AM
~96 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 66 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 Syracuse, 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
66 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: SyracuseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
0.2 mi·17 sec·I 81
Toward SyracuseUse the straight lane.
14
Continue on I-81
0.4 mi·26 sec·I-81
15
Continue on I 81
1.9 mi·2 min·I 81
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Adams Street, Harrison StreetUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on Almond Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Almond Street
Use the left / slight left / straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto NY 92
0.3 mi·36 sec·East Genesee Street
19
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
10 ft·0 sec·South State Street
20
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Since this is a 206.6-mile trek, planning for one scheduled stop is a smart way to break up the local driving and stay refreshed. Aim to head out early in the day to navigate the local roads when traffic is lighter, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be more taxing than a standard highway drive. Keep your $34 fuel budget handy and consider refueling before you leave Kiryas Joel to ensure you have a smooth start. Because you are relying on local roads like Forest Avenue and Forest Road, keep a close eye on your GPS navigation to stay on track through the turns. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your pace to suit your comfort level on these local stretches.
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 102.8 miles from Kiryas Joel, NY, or about 2h 10m 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 45 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.8 miles or 2h 10m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Syracuse, 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 205.7 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 204.8 — 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
6
133.9 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
7
135.7 mi into trip|~2h 51m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Syracuse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
7
202.2 mi into trip|~4h 9m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward Syracuse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Syracuse
7
204.8 mi into trip|~4h 12m in
Take the exit toward Adams Street, Harrison Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Adams Street, Harrison Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.34 one way
$72.68 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$39.32
$78.64
premium
$5.28
$42.73
$85.45
diesel
$3.75
$30.37
$60.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.7
0
$21.60
$9.87
Efficient EV
51.4
0
$18.00
$8.23
EV Truck/SUV
82.3
1
$28.80
$13.16
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Kiryas Joel, NY
Morning
in Kiryas Joel on Monday
Local time
9:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Sunny
N 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Morning
in Syracuse on Monday
Local time
9:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Sunny
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
64°F
Damascus, PA
103 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
3 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
4h 14m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 198.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route relies on local infrastructure, including Hayes Court, Forest Road, and Forest Avenue, rather than major highways. With a highway share of 0%, the character of the road is defined by its local navigation rather than high-speed cruising. You will find that the path requires frequent adjustments as you transition through the various local segments. This is a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local connectivity over the ease of long, uninterrupted highway stretches.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 6 and I 81. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 205.7 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.9 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.7 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,665 ft400 ft
Total Climb
1,685 ft
Total Descent
1,979 ft
Highest Point
1,665 ft
~58.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,265 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 Syracuse, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Albany along the way.
Syracuse is a city in Central New York. With a population of 149,000 in city proper and 662,000 in its metro area (2020), Syracuse is the fifth largest city in the state of New York, and the third largest in Upstate New York.
Top landmarks
•Oncenter War Memorial Arena — arena in Syracuse, New York
•Everson Museum of Art — art museum in Syracuse, New York
•Niagara Mohawk Building — historic commercial building in New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 205.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Syracuse, 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 9 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 133.9 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.7 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Syracuse, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
