This 367.3-mile journey from Lancaster to Yonkers, NY, is a substantial drive that clocks in at approximately 7 hours and 41 minutes of pure travel time. While doable in a single day, especially for those accustomed to longer hauls, consider the 2 recommended stops to break up the 7.5-hour duration. You'll be spending about 83% of your time on highways, with a fuel cost estimated around $60. This route is a direct shot across New York, moving from the western part of the state to the southeastern region, and is best suited for travelers prioritizing efficiency to reach their destination.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
183.7 miles from Lancaster, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
129.9 mi
2h 40m
Southern Tier Expressway
104.5 mi
2h 2m
Genesee Expressway
38.2 mi
44m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
15.1 mi
17m
Broadway Road
13.9 mi
19m
Broadway Street
10.7 mi
18m
New York State Thruway
10.2 mi
13m
Genesee Street
8.8 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 129.9 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-86
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,201 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,535
Quietest
2 AM
~81 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.8×
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 Lancaster, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on this road
116 ft·12 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
11 mi·18 min·Broadway Street
3
Continue on US 20
14 mi·19 min·Broadway Road
4
Continue on US 20
6.5 mi·8 min·Telephone Road
5
Turn right onto NY 63
3.0 mi·4 min·Ellicott Street Road
6
Continue on NY 63
4.1 mi·6 min·Big Tree Road
7
Continue on NY 63
0.7 mi·54 sec·State Highway 63
8
Continue on NY 63
7.5 mi·11 min·Genesee Street
9
Enter roundabout onto NY 63
108 ft·1 sec·Genesee Street
10
Continue on NY 63
1.3 mi·1 min·Genesee Street
11
Merge onto US 20A; NY 39; NY 63
3.3 mi·4 min·Geneseo-Mount Morris Road
12
Continue on NY 408
0.3 mi·32 sec·Mount Morris-Geneseo Road
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
14
Merge onto I 390
38 mi·44 min·Genesee Expressway
15
Merge onto I 86
105 mi·2 hr 2 min·Southern Tier Expressway
16
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.
17
Take the exit onto US 6
7.1 mi·9 min·US 6
Exit 130AToward US 6: Bear Mountain
18
Enter roundabout
346 ft·4 sec
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
19
Continue
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
20
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Merge onto I 87; I 287
9.2 mi·12 min·New York State Thruway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
1.0 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 7AToward Saw Mill River Parkway SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi·10 min·Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward West Yonkers AvenueUse the slight right lane.
27
Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Yonkers Avenue
28
Continue on Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi·57 sec·Nepperhan Avenue
29
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A
229 ft·5 sec·South Broadway
Use the left lane.
30
Arrive at destination
US 9; NY 9A
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour-plus drive, aim for an early morning departure from Lancaster to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With 2 stops factored in, plan to take a break roughly every 2-3 hours to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 129 miles on I-86, so be sure to top off your tank before embarking on that segment. Given the duration, if you prefer a more relaxed pace, splitting this into two days is also a viable option, though not strictly necessary.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.7 miles from Lancaster, NY, or about 3h 52m 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 81 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.7 miles or 3h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 23m
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 Lancaster, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lancaster, NY
This is one driving day of about 367.3 miles and 7h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Lancaster, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 194.4 and 367.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
194.4 mi into trip|~4h 4m 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
347.1 mi into trip|~7h 12m 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
357.8 mi into trip|~7h 27m 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
366 mi into trip|~7h 38m 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
367.3 mi into trip|~7h 41m 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
$59.42 one way
$118.84 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$64.48
$128.96
premium
$4.85
$70.11
$140.21
diesel
$4.80
$69.35
$138.71
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
$59
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.2
1
$38.57
$17.63
Efficient EV
91.8
1
$32.14
$14.69
EV Truck/SUV
146.9
1
$51.42
$23.51
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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 19, 2026
Origin
Lancaster, NY
Late night
in Lancaster on Monday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
NW 7 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Late night
in Yonkers on Monday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
NW 9 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
81°F
Hamilton, NY
184 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
9 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
7h 41m 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.
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 367.3
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 367.3
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 367.3
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 367.3
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 367.3
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...
17 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 367.3
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 drive for the majority of this trip, with 83% of the mileage spent on interstates. You'll primarily navigate via I-86, also known as the Southern Tier Expressway, and the Genesee Expressway. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is a significant 129.9 miles on I-86, meaning you can settle in for extended periods of consistent driving. While the profile suggests a highway-centric experience, keep an eye out for transitions as you approach your destination in Yonkers.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 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 Southern Tier Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 194.4 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 19 significant decision points across 367.3 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 194.4 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 347.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 357.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,618 ft86 ft
Total Climb
2,676 ft
Total Descent
3,263 ft
Highest Point
1,618 ft
~262.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,532 ft
Notable High Points
1,572 ft at ~209.9 miles+577 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lancaster, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward New York, Palisades Interstate Parkway South, White Plains and New York State Thruway South.
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 7h 41m. Total distance: 367.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 41m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 194.4 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 347.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 357.8 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Yonkers, NY before the return drive.
