Mount Vernon to Hamburg is 372.2 miles and takes about 7h 58m via Long Mountain Parkway and I 86, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, traversing the Northeast region. It's a mostly highway drive, making it a straightforward option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. With only two recommended stops, you can anticipate a relatively direct transit between these two points. Consider this route for its practicality and speed.
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
186.1 miles from Mount Vernon, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Mountain Parkway
107.6 mi
2h 15m
I 86
100 mi
1h 56m
NY 17
33.7 mi
40m
Genesee Expressway
32.9 mi
37m
New York State Thruway
17.9 mi
24m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
14.9 mi
17m
Big Tree Road
13.2 mi
19m
Varysburg Road
10.9 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
Long Mountain Parkway
— 107.6 mi, about 2h 15m
Traffic on I-86
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,201 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,535
Quietest
2 AM
~81 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Vernon, NY and Hamburg, NY.
1
Start on East Prospect Avenue
56 ft·9 sec·East Prospect Avenue
2
Turn left onto Gramatan Avenue
361 ft·13 sec·Gramatan Avenue
3
Turn right onto West 1st Street
0.4 mi·50 sec·West 1st Street
4
Turn right onto West Lincoln Avenue
221 ft·6 sec·West Lincoln Avenue
5
Turn left onto Mount Vernon Avenue
0.4 mi·39 sec·Mount Vernon Avenue
6
Continue on Yonkers Avenue
1.1 mi·1 min·Yonkers Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Turn right onto Central Park Avenue
1.1 mi·2 min·Central Park Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 87 North, New York State Thruway North: Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, Albany
9
Merge onto I 87
18 mi·24 min·New York State Thruway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 13NToward Palisades Parkway North, Bear MountainUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 18Toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State Thruway
13
Enter roundabout onto US 6
375 ft·5 sec·Long Mountain Parkway
14
Continue on US 6
108 mi·2 hr 14 min·Long Mountain Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on NY 17
34 mi·40 min·NY 17
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
33 mi·37 min·Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
19
Turn left onto NY 36
4.3 mi·7 min·Sonyea Road
20
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi·4 min·Main Street
21
Continue on NY 36
1.3 mi·1 min·Mount Morris Road
22
Turn left onto CR 64
2.3 mi·3 min·Perry Road
23
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi·10 min·Leicester Road
24
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi·8 min·East Buffalo Street
25
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Road
26
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Varysburg Road
27
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Big Tree Road
28
Continue on US 20A; NY 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Main Street
29
Enter roundabout onto US 20A
165 ft·2 sec·Ernst Place
30
Continue on US 20A
138 ft·2 sec·Ernst Place
31
Turn straight onto US 20A
0.2 mi·40 sec·Hamburg Street
32
Turn slight right onto US 20A
5.2 mi·8 min·Quaker Road
33
Continue on US 20A
1.5 mi·2 min·East Quaker Street
34
Continue on US 20A
2.6 mi·4 min·Big Tree Road
35
Turn left onto US 20
0.9 mi·1 min·Southwestern Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
36
Turn left onto US 62
0.8 mi·1 min·South Park Avenue
Use the left lane.
37
Enter roundabout onto US 62
104 ft·2 sec·South Park Avenue
38
Continue on US 62
1.8 mi·3 min·South Park Avenue
39
Enter roundabout onto US 62
119 ft·3 sec·Buffalo Street
40
Continue on US 62
0.3 mi·38 sec·Buffalo Street
41
Enter roundabout onto US 62
76 ft·2 sec·Buffalo Street
42
Continue on US 62
0.5 mi·1 min·Buffalo Street
43
Arrive at destination
US 62
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 58m estimated drive time, leaving Mount Vernon in the morning should allow you to reach Hamburg before evening. Plan for your two stops strategically to break up the 372.2 miles. With a fuel cost estimated at $66, ensure your tank is full before departing, as highway services can sometimes be more spread out. The longest stretch without a planned stop is over 100 miles, so be prepared for extended periods of driving. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the latter half of the trip.
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 186.1 miles from Mount Vernon, NY, or about 3h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.6 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 186.1 miles or 3h 54m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hamburg, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mount Vernon, 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 Mount Vernon, NY
This is one driving day of about 372.2 miles and 7h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Mount Vernon, 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 Long Mountain Parkway for about 107.6 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 367.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2 mi into trip|~3m in|Central Park Avenue
Turn right onto Central Park Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
21.2 mi into trip|~31m 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
6
36.8 mi into trip|~49m in
Take the exit toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State Thruway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 18
Toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State T...
6
311.4 mi into trip|~6h 19m in
Take the exit toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 6
Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
6
367.9 mi into trip|~7h 50m in|US 20 / Southwestern Boulevard
Turn left onto US 20 / Southwestern Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.21 one way
$120.42 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$65.34
$130.68
premium
$4.85
$71.04
$142.08
diesel
$4.80
$70.28
$140.56
Estimated Tolls: $0.89
New York State Thruway
(17.9 mi)$0.89
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
$60
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.7
1
$39.08
$17.87
Efficient EV
93.1
1
$32.57
$14.89
EV Truck/SUV
148.9
1
$52.11
$23.82
Gas CO2
130 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Mount Vernon, NY
Late night
in Mount Vernon on Sunday
Local time
3:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Smoke
NW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Hamburg, NY
Late night
in Hamburg on Sunday
Local time
3:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Smoke
SE 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
81°F
Hamilton, NY
186 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
7 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 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.
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...
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...
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 372.2-mile route is primarily highway, with 78% of the drive on high-speed roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 107.6 miles on Long Mountain Parkway before transitioning. Expect a significant amount of driving on I 86, which generally means consistent speeds and fewer interruptions than surface roads. The highway portion will likely involve merging with traffic at various points.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.6 mi on Long Mountain Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Mountain Parkway and I 86. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near Central Park Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 372.2 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 miles (Central Park Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,677 ft108 ft
Total Climb
3,784 ft
Total Descent
3,070 ft
Highest Point
1,677 ft
~292.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,569 ft
Notable High Points
1,613 ft at ~159.5 miles+610 ft prominence
1,677 ft at ~292.4 miles+640 ft prominence
1,342 ft at ~345.6 miles+519 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mount Vernon, NY and Hamburg, NY, road signs point toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain, New York State Thruway and Letchworth Park.
Palisades Parkway North
21.2 mi in|~31m
Bear Mountain
21.2 mi in|~31m
New York State Thruway
36.8 mi in|~49m
Letchworth Park
311.4 mi in|~6h 19m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 58m. Total distance: 372.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 58m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107.6 miles on Long Mountain Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.89 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.
Yes — we found about 20 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 Hamburg, 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. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (Central Park Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (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 16.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hamburg, NY before the return drive.
