Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Manhattan, NY to Amherst, NY

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 49m

Distance

373.3 mi

601 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$61

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
7h 40m ★
6 AM
7h 49m
8 AM
8h 8m
10 AM
7h 56m
12 PM
7h 54m
3 PM
7h 57m
5 PM
8h 7m
8 PM
7h 44m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
borough of New York City, New York, United States

Manhattan, NY

Wikimedia Commons

town in New York, United States

Amherst, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embark on a 373.3-mile journey from Manhattan, NY, to Amherst, NY, a trip that will take approximately 7 hours and 49 minutes. This route is primarily navigated via the New York State Thruway and I 81, with a portion on the Christopher Columbus Highway. Given its duration, this drive is best tackled in a single day, especially considering the estimated fuel cost of $61. With two planned stops, you'll have opportunities to break up the drive. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, keeping the scenery consistent but the urban to more suburban landscape shifts significant.

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

186.7 miles from Manhattan, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 99.6 mi 1h 55m
I 81 97.3 mi 1h 55m
Christopher Columbus Highway 44.6 mi 52m
I 380 27.7 mi 30m
Keystone Shortway 17.3 mi 24m
US 46 10.8 mi 12m
Clinton Street 10.5 mi 15m
NJ 3 10.2 mi 12m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 99.6 mi, about 1h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Manhattan, NY and Amherst, NY.

1

Start on 86th Street Transverse

0.2 mi · 38 sec · 86th Street Transverse
2

Continue on West 86th Street

0.2 mi · 37 sec · West 86th Street
Use the straight lane.
3

Turn left onto Columbus Avenue

1.4 mi · 4 min · Columbus Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
4

Continue on 9th Avenue

0.9 mi · 1 min · 9th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
5

Turn right onto West 41st Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · West 41st Street
Use the right lane.
6

Turn left onto Galvin Avenue

262 ft · 11 sec · Galvin Avenue
Toward Lincoln Tunnel
7

Take the ramp

477 ft · 11 sec
Toward I 495 West: Lincoln Tunnel, New Jersey Use the straight lane.
8

Merge onto NY 495

3.4 mi · 6 min · Lincoln Tunnel
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 29 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: Secaucus Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

453 ft · 7 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto NJ 3

10 mi · 12 min · NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto US 46

11 mi · 12 min · US 46
Use the straight lane.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
14

Continue on I 80W

1.6 mi · 1 min · Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, Mahwah Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16

Merge onto I 80

45 mi · 52 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway
19

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec
Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton
20

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380
Use the straight lane.
21

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81
Use the straight lane.
22

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
23

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

37 mi · 43 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
24

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Exit 52 Toward NY 13: Cortland
25

Turn right onto NY 13

39 ft · 5 sec · Clinton Avenue
26

Turn left onto Locust Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · Locust Avenue
27

Continue on Albany Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Albany Street
28

At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
29

Turn left onto NY 41

10 mi · 15 min · Clinton Street
30

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road
31

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
32

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road
33

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 48 sec · East Lake Street
34

Turn left onto US 20

7.3 mi · 13 min · East Genesee Street
35

Turn right onto US 20

0.2 mi · 12 sec · North Fulton Street
36

Turn left onto US 20; NY 5

0.4 mi · 1 min · Arterial West
37

Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38

9.8 mi · 11 min · Chase Street
Use the left lane.
38

Continue on US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
39

Turn right onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318
40

Continue on NY 318

319 ft · 10 sec · NY 318
Use the right lane.
41

Turn right onto NY 414

0.3 mi · 28 sec · State Route 414
Use the right lane.
42

Continue on NY 414

217 ft · 11 sec · Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
43

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Use the left lane.
44

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo Use the straight / right lanes.
45

Merge onto I 90

100 mi · 1 hr 55 min · New York State Thruway
46

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 36 sec
Exit 50 Toward I 290: Niagara Falls Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47

Continue on I 290

1.8 mi · 2 min · Youngmann Expressway
48

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.
49

Turn left onto NY 324

0.9 mi · 1 min · Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
50

Turn left onto NY 263

469 ft · 13 sec · Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
51

Arrive at destination

NY 263

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour, 49-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Manhattan to avoid peak traffic. With two stops planned, aim to pace yourself, perhaps stopping roughly every two to three hours. The longest stretch without a major turn is nearly 100 miles on the New York State Thruway, which could be a good point for a longer break or refueling. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $61 estimated cost suggests consistent use, and plan your stops accordingly.

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 186.7 miles from Manhattan, NY, or about 3h 50m 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 82 miles or 1h 46m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 186.7 miles or 3h 50m 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 38m

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 Manhattan, 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 Manhattan, NY

This is one driving day of about 373.3 miles and 7h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Manhattan, 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 99.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Broome County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vestal, NY

187 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.

Popular next leg

Vestal, NY to Amherst, NY

195.6 mi · 4h 4m

Pacing Suggestions

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Endwell, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 186.7 miles from Manhattan, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Triplets Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch · 1h 41m in 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+15704216566

Visit website

Paola's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

0.5 mi

Effy's Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

New York, New York

0.6 mi

Best coffee break

Cafe Amrita

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

New York, New York

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+12122220683

Visit website

Aleef Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

2.4 mi

Artpresso Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Long Island City, New York

2.7 mi

Triplets Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+15704216566

Visit website

Paola's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12127941890

Visit website

Effy's Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+12122806200

Visit website

Central Park Boathouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive

New York, NY

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17189739339

Visit website

THEP Thai Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

New York, New York

Hours: 11:30 am–3:30 pm

+12128999995

Visit website

Park Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15167490697

OBAO | Midtown Thai & Vietnamese Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

New York, New York

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+12123085588

Visit website

Le Tout Va Bien - French Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

New York, New York

Hours: 4–11 pm

+12122650190

Visit website

Cafe Amrita

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+12122220683

Visit website

Aleef Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12125642723

Artpresso Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+19178327021

Visit website

Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+19178326726

Visit website

51st Bakery & Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+17187070554

Visit website

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

+19172614093

Le Cafe Coffee

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12123651060

Visit website

Amano Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15858883232

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charge Point

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Corfu, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

New York, New York

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Williamsville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Central Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

New York, New York

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

The Great Lawn

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

New York, NY

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12125357710

Visit website

Ancient Playground

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

Shakespeare Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–5:30 pm

+12127695100

Visit website

Hayden Planetarium

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–5:30 pm

+12127695100

Visit website

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+12128498400

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 37

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.9 and 372.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
2.9 mi into trip | ~8m in

Take the ramp toward I 495 West: Lincoln Tunnel, New Jersey

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 495 West: Lincoln Tunnel, New Jersey
8
6.7 mi into trip | ~15m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 3 West: Clifton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
7
269.6 mi into trip | ~5h 46m in

Take the ramp

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
269.8 mi into trip | ~5h 47m 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
8
372.1 mi into trip | ~7h 46m 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

$61.45 one way

$122.90 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 131 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $66.44 $132.89
premium $4.92 $72.35 $144.71
diesel $5.61 $82.42 $164.84

Estimated Tolls: $20.98

Lincoln Tunnel $16.00
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

$61

Tolls

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$107–$132

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 130.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 112 1 $39.20 $17.92
Efficient EV 93.3 1 $32.66 $14.93
EV Truck/SUV 149.3 1 $52.26 $23.89

Gas CO2

131 kg

EV CO2

44 kg (66% 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 17, 2026

Origin

Manhattan, NY

Late night in Manhattan on Tuesday

Local time

4:08 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Chance Rain Showers

NW 8 mph 28% chance Live forecast

Destination

Amherst, NY

Late night in Amherst on Tuesday

Local time

4:08 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live 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

34 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

7h 49m 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.

General Grant National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
View on nps.gov
Hamilton Grange National Memorial

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...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 275
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Women's Rights National Historical Park

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...

5 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 288.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route presents a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you'll experience a dynamic mix of road types. While 42% of the drive is on highways, the majority involves navigating local roads and making turns. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 99.6 miles, primarily on the New York State Thruway, offering a period of more consistent driving. Be prepared for the road to change frequently, requiring your attention as you transition between faster highway segments and more intricate local road networks.

Only 42% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
51 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?

10/10

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 2.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 37 significant decision points across 373.3 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 2.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 269.6 miles: 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 Manhattan, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Albany.

Del Water Gap

27.8 mi in | ~40m

Mahwah

28 mi in | ~40m | via I 80W

Albany

178.3 mi in | ~3h 40m | via I 81

About the Cities

Starting in Manhattan, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1624

Wall Street. Madison Avenue. 34th Street. Broadway. Times Square. Manhattan is so well known that even the names of its streets have become iconic and understood the world over. This long, thin island is only one of New York City's five boroughs, but it's Manhattan that has the concrete canyons and the inimitable skyline; Manhattan that has the world's brightest theater district; Manhattan that has Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and the Met; and Manhattan that includes iconic neighborhoods like Harlem, the Upper East Side, Times Square, and Greenwich Village. The rest of New York City has much to see and do, but it's Manhattan that represents the city—and sometimes the entire United States—to the world. You could spend a month on this tiny island and still not see all there is to see.

Top landmarks

  • • Empire State Building — skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USA

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 7h 49m. Total distance: 373.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 49m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

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 $20.98 in tolls one way, starting with Lincoln Tunnel. 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 2.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 269.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 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.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Amherst, NY

Southampton, NY 463 mi · 9h 47m Tuckahoe, NY 461.7 mi · 9h 45m Hampton Bays, NY 455.9 mi · 9h 35m Rocky Point, NY 436.6 mi · 9h 11m

More from Manhattan, NY

Middleport, NY 364.4 mi · 7h 46m Portville, NY 352.1 mi · 7h 7m Kent, NY 349.7 mi · 7h 33m Warsaw, NY 331.8 mi · 6h 48m Houghton, NY 330.5 mi · 6h 44m Gainesville, NY 330 mi · 6h 46m

More trips to Amherst, NY

Southold, NY 464.7 mi Selden, NY 428.6 mi East Islip, NY 424.1 mi Bellmore, NY 403.6 mi Westbury, NY 397 mi Woodmere, NY 396.8 mi
Escape planner: Manhattan, NY Scenic drives in NY

Explore more options from Manhattan, NY or browse trips ending in Amherst, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.