Latham, NY to Syracuse, NY is 143.7 miles and takes about 2h 51m via I 90 and I 690, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, connecting two points in the Northeast region. It's a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a simple transfer between cities. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so plan for consistent travel without significant detours. Given the relatively short distance, it's easily manageable as a single-day trip.
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
71.9 miles from Latham, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
128.4 mi
2h 28m
Adirondack Northway
4.6 mi
6m
I 690
4.1 mi
5m
I 481
2.3 mi
2m
I 87
0.8 mi
1m
Troy Schenectady Road
0.6 mi
1m
South State Street
0.2 mi
<1m
North Townsend Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 128.4 mi, about 2h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Latham, NY and Syracuse, NY.
1
Start on Old Loudon Road
31 ft·7 sec·Old Loudon Road
2
Turn right onto NY 2
0.1 mi·14 sec·Troy Schenectady Road
3
Enter roundabout onto NY 2
190 ft·6 sec·Troy Schenectady Road
4
Continue on NY 2
0.4 mi·53 sec·Troy Schenectady Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·57 sec
6
Merge onto I 87
4.6 mi·6 min·Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
0.3 mi·31 sec·I 87
Exit 1E-WToward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, BuffaloUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 87
0.5 mi·51 sec·I 87
Exit 1WToward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
128 mi·2 hr 28 min·I 90
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 34AToward I 481: Syracuse, OswegoUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 481 South: Syracuse, Fairgrounds, Binghamton
12
Merge onto I 481
2.3 mi·2 min·I 481
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 690 West: Syracuse, FairgroundsUse the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on I 690
4.1 mi·5 min·I 690
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·41 sec
Exit 13Toward Townsend Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto North Townsend Street
501 ft·16 sec·North Townsend Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto East Water Street
479 ft·16 sec·East Water Street
18
Turn left onto US 11
0.2 mi·20 sec·South State Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Since this is a 1-day drive of under 3 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will get you to Syracuse with plenty of daylight remaining. Keep an eye on your fuel level, as the estimated cost is $23; it's always wise to fuel up before starting a longer highway segment. The bulk of your travel will be on I 90, so be prepared for typical interstate conditions. Given the short duration, you likely won't need more than one brief stop, perhaps for a quick break or snack along the way.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.9 miles from Latham, NY, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.4 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.9 miles or 1h 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 2h 18m
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 Latham, 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 Latham, NY
This is one driving day of about 143.7 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Latham, 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 90 for about 128.4 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 143.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
5.6 mi into trip|~8m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1E-W
Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
8
134.9 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 481: Syracuse, Oswego
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 34A
Toward I 481: Syracuse, Oswego
7
138.4 mi into trip|~2h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 690 West: Syracuse, Fairgrounds
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 690 West: Syracuse, Fairgrounds
8
143.2 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Take the exit toward Townsend Street, Downtown
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 13
Toward Townsend Street, Downtown
7
143.4 mi into trip|~2h 51m in|North Townsend Street
Turn left onto North Townsend Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.35 one way
$46.71 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$25.28
$50.56
premium
$4.87
$27.53
$55.06
diesel
$5.40
$30.57
$61.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.1
0
$15.09
$6.90
Efficient EV
35.9
0
$12.57
$5.75
EV Truck/SUV
57.5
0
$20.12
$9.20
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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 25, 2026
Origin
Latham, NY
Afternoon
in Latham on Sunday
Local time
1:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Mostly Clear
N 3 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 11:36AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Afternoon
in Syracuse on Sunday
Local time
1:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 2 to 6 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 11:36AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
7 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
2h 51m 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.
Fort Stanwix National Monument
National Monument
For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes. When Eur...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 104.1
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 143.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 94% highway, meaning you'll be on interstates for the vast majority of the 143.7-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 128.4 miles, all on I 90. You'll experience the Adirondack Northway (I 87) briefly before merging onto I 90, which will carry you most of the way. Expect frequent exits and potential traffic as you approach Syracuse and merge onto I 690.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.4 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Adirondack Northway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in near I 87.
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 15 significant decision points across 143.7 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 5.6 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Latham, NY and Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Oswego, Fairgrounds and Binghamton.
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 2h 51m. Total distance: 143.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.4 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Syracuse, NY before heading back.
