This drive from Larchmont, NY to Amherst, NY spans 378.4 miles and will take approximately 7 hours and 58 minutes. It's a manageable one-day trip, though you might consider an overnight if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The primary roads you'll be on include the New York State Thruway and I-81, making up about 57% of the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $62, this route offers a straightforward path through the Northeast region. You'll want to factor in at least two planned stops along the way. This trip is best suited for those seeking an efficient way to travel between these two New York locations.
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
189.2 miles from Larchmont, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
108.4 mi
2h 7m
Long Mountain Parkway
107.6 mi
2h 15m
I 81
39.3 mi
46m
NY 17
33.7 mi
40m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
14.9 mi
17m
Cross Westchester Expressway
10.8 mi
12m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 108.4 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Larchmont, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on US 1
2.3 mi·3 min·Boston Post Road
2
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1
1.9 mi·2 min·East Boston Post Road
3
Continue on US 1
1.2 mi·1 min·Boston Post Road
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1
0.9 mi·1 min·Boston Post Road
5
Take the ramp
507 ft·12 sec
6
Merge onto I 287
11 mi·12 min·Cross Westchester Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 87; I 287
8.9 mi·11 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 13NToward Palisades Parkway North, Bear MountainUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 18Toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State Thruway
11
Enter roundabout onto US 6
375 ft·5 sec·Long Mountain Parkway
12
Continue on US 6
108 mi·2 hr 14 min·Long Mountain Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on NY 17
34 mi·40 min·NY 17
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
17
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
18
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
19
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
20
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
21
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
22
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
23
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
24
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
25
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
26
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
27
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
28
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
29
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
31
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
32
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
33
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
34
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
35
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
36
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
37
Merge onto I 90
100 mi·1 hr 55 min·New York State Thruway
38
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on I 290
1.8 mi·2 min·Youngmann Expressway
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Turn left onto NY 324
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
42
Turn left onto NY 263
469 ft·13 sec·Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
43
Arrive at destination
NY 263
Trip Plan
For this 378.4-mile trip, aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With a duration of nearly 8 hours, planning for two stops is wise for stretching and refueling. The longest stretch without a break is 108.4 miles on the New York State Thruway, so be prepared for that segment. Given the $62 fuel cost, keep an eye on your gauge, especially as you navigate the various main roads like the New York State Thruway and I-81. Since it's a single-day drive, flexibility is key, but having a general idea of your intended stops will make the journey smoother.
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 189.2 miles from Larchmont, NY, or about 3h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.4 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 83 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 189.2 miles or 3h 56m 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 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 Larchmont, 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 Larchmont, NY
This is one driving day of about 378.4 miles and 7h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Larchmont, 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 New York State Thruway for about 108.4 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 26.1 and 377.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
26.1 mi into trip|~35m in
Take the exit toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13N
Toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain
7
274.7 mi into trip|~5h 55m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
274.9 mi into trip|~5h 56m 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
375.1 mi into trip|~7h 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
377.3 mi into trip|~7h 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
$62.29 one way
$124.57 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg132 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$67.35
$134.70
premium
$4.92
$73.34
$146.68
diesel
$5.61
$83.55
$167.09
Estimated Tolls: $5.42
New York State Thruway
(108.4 mi)$5.42
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
$62
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 132.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
113.5
1
$39.73
$18.16
Efficient EV
94.6
1
$33.11
$15.14
EV Truck/SUV
151.4
1
$52.98
$24.22
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Larchmont, NY
Late night
in Larchmont on Sunday
Local time
3:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Amherst, NY
Late night
in Amherst on Sunday
Local time
3:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 to 22 mph84% chanceLive forecast
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
21 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 58m 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, with a significant 57% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches of fast-paced driving, particularly on the New York State Thruway, which features your longest uninterrupted segment of 108.4 miles. While much of the drive is on well-maintained expressways, the inclusion of roads like Long Mountain Parkway and I-81 suggests a dynamic route that isn't solely a monotonous interstate grind. This blend means you'll experience varying speeds and road conditions throughout your approximately 8-hour travel time.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.4 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 26.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 29 significant decision points across 378.4 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 26.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 274.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 274.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Larchmont, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain, New York State Thruway and Albany.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 58m. Total distance: 378.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 58m 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 108.4 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.42 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 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 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 26.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 274.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 274.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Women's Rights National Historical Park and Hamilton Grange National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 15.9 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.
