Origin
Maine, NY
Late night in Maine on Sunday
Local time
3:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Maine, NY to Amherst, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 7m
Distance
190.7 mi
307 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 54m
★
6 AM
4h 7m
8 AM
4h 33m
10 AM
4h 16m
12 PM
4h 14m
3 PM
4h 18m
5 PM
4h 32m
8 PM
3h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maine, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Amherst, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 190.7-mile journey from Maine, NY to Amherst, NY will take approximately 4 hours and 7 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day road trip. You'll primarily travel on the New York State Thruway and I-81, with a portion on State Highway 26. With a fuel cost estimated at $31, this drive through New York's Northeast region is an economical option for a single day's adventure. The route is designed for a single stop, so plan your breaks accordingly. This route offers a straightforward path for getting between these two points in New York.
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
95.4 miles from Maine, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 99.6 mi | 1h 55m |
| I 81 | 21.5 mi | 24m |
| State Highway 26 | 10.8 mi | 15m |
| 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:
New York State Thruway
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maine, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on NY 26
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Union Center-Maine Highway
2
Continue on NY 26
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Union Center-Maine Highway
3
Continue on NY 26
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 26
4
Continue on NY 26
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Union Center Maine Highway
5
Continue on NY 26
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 26
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 11; NY 26
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
US 11; NY 26
7
Continue on US 11; NY 79
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 11; NY 79
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 81 North
9
Merge onto I 81
22 mi
·
24 min
·
I 81
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 52
Toward NY 13: Cortland
11
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft
·
5 sec
·
Clinton Avenue
12
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Locust Avenue
13
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Albany Street
14
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
15
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi
·
15 min
·
Clinton Street
16
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Lake Road
17
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 41
18
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi
·
13 min
·
East Lake Road
19
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
East Lake Street
20
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi
·
13 min
·
East Genesee Street
21
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
North Fulton Street
22
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Arterial West
23
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Chase Street
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Auburn Road
25
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
NY 318
26
Continue on NY 318
319 ft
·
10 sec
·
NY 318
Use the right lane.
27
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
State Route 414
Use the right lane.
28
Continue on NY 414
217 ft
·
11 sec
·
Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
29
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Use the left lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Merge onto I 90
100 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
New York State Thruway
32
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 50
Toward I 290: Niagara Falls
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on I 290
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Youngmann Expressway
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 6
Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Turn left onto NY 324
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
36
Turn left onto NY 263
469 ft
·
13 sec
·
Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
37
Arrive at destination
NY 263
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, starting your drive from Maine, NY in the morning allows ample time to reach Amherst, NY without feeling rushed. You'll have one recommended stop, so consider planning this break around the halfway point or where you might need to refuel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is nearly 100 miles on the New York State Thruway, so ensure you have entertainment or conversation ready for that segment. With a fuel cost around $31, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is practical, especially before hitting that long Thruway section.
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 95.4 miles from Maine, NY, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 42 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.4 miles or 2h 15m 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 25m
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 Maine, 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 Maine, NY
This is one driving day of about 190.7 miles and 4h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Maine, 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 New York State Thruway for about 99.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 95.4 miles from Maine, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 86.7 and 189.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
86.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
|
NY 414 / State Route 414
Turn right onto NY 414 / State Route 414
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
87 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
87.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m 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
187.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m 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
189.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 4m 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
$31.39 one way
$62.78 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $33.94 | $67.89 |
| premium | $4.92 | $36.96 | $73.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.10 | $84.21 |
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
$31
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.2 | 0 | $20.02 | $9.15 |
| Efficient EV | 47.7 | 0 | $16.69 | $7.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.3 | 0 | $26.70 | $12.20 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
Amherst, NY
Late night in Amherst on Sunday
Local time
3:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Auburn, NY
95 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 7m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 76.5
View on nps.gov
Women's Rights National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
3 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 90.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a route with a significant highway share, at 23%, but don't be fooled into thinking it's all high-speed. This drive is characterized as 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting a dynamic experience. While you'll encounter the New York State Thruway for a considerable longest stretch of 99.6 miles, be prepared for transitions onto I-81 and State Highway 26. This mix means you'll experience both efficient highway travel and more involved local road navigation, keeping your attention engaged behind the wheel.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 86.7 miles in near NY 414 / State Route 414.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 190.7 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 86.7 miles (NY 414 / State Route 414): Lane positioning matters here; at 87 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 87.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Maine, NY
Full guide →Arriving in Amherst, NY
Full guide →Amherst is a town in the Northtowns of Erie County, New York.
Top landmarks
- • Entranceway at Main Street at Roycroft Boulevard — residential landscape feature in Amherst, New York state, USA
- • Entranceways at Main Street at Lamarck Drive and Smallwood Drive — residential landscape feature in Amherst, New York state, USA
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 7m. Total distance: 190.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.6 miles on New York State Thruway. 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.
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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 86.7 miles (NY 414 / State Route 414): Lane positioning matters here; at 87 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 87.2 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Amherst, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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