Trip from Mineola, 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

8h 13m

Distance

393.7 mi

634 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$65

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min

4 AM

8h 6m ★

6 AM

8h 13m

8 AM

8h 29m

10 AM

8h 19m

12 PM

8h 17m

3 PM

8h 20m

5 PM

8h 28m

8 PM

8h 9m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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village in Nassau County, New York, United States

Mineola, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Amherst, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 393.7-mile journey from Mineola, NY, to Amherst, NY, is estimated to take around 8 hours and 13 minutes of driving time, making it a substantial trip that's best split over two days. You'll be navigating primarily on the New York State Thruway and I-81, with a portion on the Christopher Columbus Highway. While 40% of the drive is on highways, the overall profile suggests a turn-heavy local drive, so factor in extra time for this. With an estimated fuel cost of $65 and a plan for 2 stops, this route offers a practical way to traverse New York State. Considering the distance and driving profile, an overnight stay is highly recommended to avoid an overly long single day of travel.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

196.9 miles from Mineola, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 2m 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	68.2 mi	1h 20m
I 380	27.7 mi	30m
Keystone Shortway	17.3 mi	24m
Clinton Street	10.5 mi	15m
East Lake Road	9.9 mi	14m
Chase Street	9.8 mi	11m

Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 99.6 mi, about 1h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on NY 25

3.8 mi · 7 min · Jericho Turnpike

Use the left lane.

Continue on NY 25

0.8 mi · 1 min · Jamaica Avenue

Turn slight right onto NY 25

1.2 mi · 2 min · Braddock Avenue

Turn left onto NY 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hillside Avenue

Turn right onto I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway

Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck Bridge Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge

Continue on I 295

0.7 mi · 1 min · Throgs Neck Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 295

6.6 mi · 8 min · Cross Bronx Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway

Toward Upper Level

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.6 mi · 59 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)

Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

0.5 mi · 48 sec · I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

0.6 mi · 39 sec · I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 95 EXPR; NJTP

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 29 sec

Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 95; NJTP

2.0 mi · 2 min · New Jersey Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 69 Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 80

68 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Christopher Columbus Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec

Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380

Use the straight lane.

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 81

Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

37 mi · 43 min · I 81

Toward I 81 North: Syracuse

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec

Exit 52 Toward NY 13: Cortland

Turn right onto NY 13

39 ft · 5 sec · Clinton Avenue

Turn left onto Locust Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · Locust Avenue

Continue on Albany Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Albany Street

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

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Main Street

Turn left onto NY 41

10 mi · 15 min · Clinton Street

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 48 sec · East Lake Street

Turn left onto US 20

7.3 mi · 13 min · East Genesee Street

Turn right onto US 20

0.2 mi · 12 sec · North Fulton Street

Turn left onto US 20; NY 5

0.4 mi · 1 min · Arterial West

Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38

9.8 mi · 11 min · Chase Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road

Turn right onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318

Continue on NY 318

319 ft · 10 sec · NY 318

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto NY 414

0.3 mi · 28 sec · State Route 414

Use the right lane.

Continue on NY 414

217 ft · 11 sec · Ridge Road

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Use the left lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 90 West: Buffalo Use the straight / right lanes.

Merge onto I 90

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

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 36 sec

Exit 50 Toward I 290: Niagara Falls Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 290

1.8 mi · 2 min · Youngmann Expressway

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.

Turn left onto NY 324

0.9 mi · 1 min · Sheridan Drive

Use the left / right lanes.

Turn left onto NY 263

469 ft · 13 sec · Millersport Highway

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

NY 263

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 393.7-mile drive, plan for an overnight split to break up the 8 hours and 13 minutes of estimated travel. Leaving Mineola early in the morning on your first day will allow you to cover a significant portion, perhaps aiming to reach a point along the New York State Thruway for your stop. With 2 planned stops, ensure one is substantial enough for an overnight rest. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $65 estimated cost suggests regular refueling will be necessary, especially during the 99.6-mile stretch on the Thruway where services might be spaced out.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 196.9 miles from Mineola, NY, or about 4h 2m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 87 miles or 1h 50m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 196.9 miles or 4h 2m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 196.9 miles or 4h 2m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 2m

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 Mineola, 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.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Mineola, NY

Aim for roughly 197 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Amherst, NY

Aim for roughly 197 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Mineola, NY.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

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

Overnight candidate

Vestal, NY

197 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Vestal, NY

Popular next leg

Vestal, NY to Amherst, NY

195.6 mi · 4h 4m

Overnight Options

Night 1

Vestal, NY

197 mi · about 4.1h in

A practical overnight split lands near Vestal, NY after about 197 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vestal, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 196.9 miles from Mineola, 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.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 197 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Bite Food & Coffee Co

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hackensack, New Jersey

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 28.1

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12015602269

Visit website

Cafe Tropical Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hackensack, New Jersey

1.8 mi

Rumba Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Leonia, New Jersey

3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

South Hackensack, New Jersey

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 28.1

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12014265898

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hackensack, New Jersey

1.2 mi

C Squared Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

1.8 mi

Bite Food & Coffee Co

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 28.1

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12015602269

Visit website

Cafe HESED

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.1

Little Ferry, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+12018706071

Visit website

Cafe Tropical Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.1

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12018800669

Hapgoods Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 56.2

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19732993399

Visit website

Crabtree's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately

Floral Park, New York

Hours: 12–10 pm

+15163267769

Visit website

Luigi's Restaurant And Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately

Queens, New York

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+17183477136

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately mile 28.1

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12014871088

Visit website

Rumba Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 28.1

Leonia, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12013630008

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 28.1

South Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12014265898

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.1

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

C Squared Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.1

Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12014259120

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 28.1

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12015675111

Visit website

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 196.9

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Can You Escape? LI

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Mineola, New York

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+15162469939

Visit website

Bowler City

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 28.1

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+12013433545

Visit website

New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 28.1

Teterboro, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

+12012886344

Visit website

Catch Air Hasbrouck

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 28.1

Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12017132156

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 28.1

Teaneck, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12018362403

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 34

5 decision points cluster between mile 6.5 and 392.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6.5 mi into trip | ~11m in | I 295 / Clearview Expressway

Turn right onto I 295 / Clearview Expressway toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck Bridge

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

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Throu...

23.3 mi into trip | ~34m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

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. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

23.6 mi into trip | ~34m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

25.9 mi into trip | ~37m in

Take the exit toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack

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 69 Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack

392.6 mi into trip | ~8h 10m 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

$64.81 one way

$129.61 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 138 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.52	$70.08	$140.15
premium	$4.92	$76.31	$152.61
diesel	$5.61	$86.92	$173.85

Estimated Tolls: $28.08

George Washington Bridge $16.00

Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55

New York State Thruway (99.6 mi) $4.98

New Jersey Turnpike (2 mi) $0.28

Jericho Turnpike (3.8 mi) $0.27

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

$65

Tolls

$28

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$223–$333

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 137.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	118.1	1	$41.34	$18.90
Efficient EV	98.4	1	$34.45	$15.75
EV Truck/SUV	157.5	1	$55.12	$25.20

Gas CO2

138 kg

EV CO2

46 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 18, 2026

Origin

Mineola, NY

Late night in Mineola on Sunday

Local time

2:04 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Amherst, NY

Late night in Amherst on Sunday

Local time

2:04 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

1 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

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...

11 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 27.2

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 varied driving experience on this route, with 40% of your travel occurring on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 99.6 miles along the New York State Thruway, offering a period of consistent highway travel. However, the overall profile is described as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' indicating that you'll transition between faster highway sections and more winding, local roads frequently. This mix means you'll need to remain adaptable and aware of changing road conditions and speed limits as you progress towards Amherst.

Only 40% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

53 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 6.5 miles in near I 295 / Clearview Expressway.

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 34 significant decision points across 393.7 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 6.5 miles (I 295 / Clearview Expressway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Mineola, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Hackensack and Albany.

Upper Level

20.8 mi in | ~30m | via I 95; US 1

Njtp South: Hackensack

23.3 mi in | ~34m

Hackensack

25.9 mi in | ~37m

Albany

198.7 mi in | ~4h 4m | via I 81

About the Cities

Starting in Mineola, NY

Full guide →

Mineola is a village in Nassau County, on Long Island, in New York.

Top landmarks

• United States Post Office — government building in Mineola, New York

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?

Solo Traveler

8h 13m 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.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 197 miles on day one.

Expect about $28.08 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. 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.

Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Women's Rights National Historical Park and General Grant 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 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.4 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.

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

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Trip from Mineola, NY to Amherst, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Bite Food & Coffee Co

Wonderland Play and Party

Bite Food & Coffee Co

Cafe HESED

Cafe Tropical Restaurant

Hapgoods Restaurant & Bar

Crabtree's Restaurant

Luigi's Restaurant And Bar

Chuck E. Cheese

Rumba Cafe

Wonderland Play and Party

Marimba Cafe

C Squared Cafe

Lily and Liam

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Can You Escape? LI

Bowler City

New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame

Catch Air Hasbrouck

Overpeck Park Playground

Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc.

Posh Princess Palace

Teaneck Creek Conservancy

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Mineola, NY

Amherst, NY

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

8h 13m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

Women's Rights National Historical Park

General Grant National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Stonewall National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Mineola, NY

Arriving in Amherst, NY

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I split this drive into multiple days?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

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