New Rochelle to Thompson is 282.5 miles and takes about 6h 16m via Long Mountain Parkway and NY 17, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York State, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. With most of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward trip that's manageable in a single day for most drivers. It's a practical route connecting two points without extensive detours, making it a solid choice if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
141.2 miles from New Rochelle, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Mountain Parkway
107.6 mi
2h 15m
NY 17
33.7 mi
40m
US 11
30.6 mi
40m
New York State Thruway
17.9 mi
24m
State Highway 96
16.2 mi
23m
I 81
15.8 mi
19m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
14.9 mi
17m
State Highway 89
10.1 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
Long Mountain Parkway
— 107.6 mi, about 2h 15m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,020 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~94 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 3 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 New Rochelle, NY and Thompson, NY.
1
Start on North Avenue
145 ft·30 sec·North Avenue
2
Continue on North Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto Lincoln Avenue
2.1 mi·3 min·Lincoln Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto NY 22
0.4 mi·43 sec·North Columbus Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Cross County Parkway WestUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto Cross County Parkway
0.8 mi·1 min·Cross County Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
0.6 mi·56 sec·Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
Toward Exits 5 - 4N - 4SUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 4NToward Central Park Avenue NorthUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn straight onto Central Park Avenue
0.2 mi·32 sec·Central Park Avenue
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 87 North, New York State Thruway North: Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, Albany
11
Merge onto I 87
18 mi·24 min·New York State Thruway
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 13NToward Palisades Parkway North, Bear MountainUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 18Toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State Thruway
15
Enter roundabout onto US 6
375 ft·5 sec·Long Mountain Parkway
16
Continue on US 6
108 mi·2 hr 14 min·Long Mountain Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on NY 17
34 mi·40 min·NY 17
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
14 mi·16 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 8Toward NY 26 North: Whitney Point, Lisle
21
Turn right onto NY 26
0.5 mi·43 sec·NY 26
22
At end of road, turn left onto US 11; NY 26
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 11; NY 26
23
Continue on US 11; NY 79
31 mi·39 min·US 11; NY 79
24
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 79
0.1 mi·19 sec·Seneca Way
25
Continue on NY 79
0.9 mi·2 min·East Seneca Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard
338 ft·15 sec·Taughannock Boulevard
27
Turn left onto NY 96
0.2 mi·21 sec·West Buffalo Street
28
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·2 min·Cliff Street
29
Continue on NY 96
8.7 mi·12 min·Trumansburg Road
30
Continue on NY 96
1.4 mi·2 min·East Main Street
31
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi·11 sec·Trumansburg Road
32
Continue on NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 96
33
Turn right onto CR 141A
1.5 mi·2 min·Powell Road
34
Continue on CR 141
0.9 mi·1 min·County Road 141
35
Turn left onto NY 89
10 mi·13 min·State Highway 89
36
Turn left onto CR 128
2.4 mi·4 min·Ernsberger Road
37
At end of road, turn right onto NY 414
2.8 mi·4 min·Ovid Street
38
Turn left onto NY 336
1.8 mi·3 min·Townline Road
39
Turn right onto NY 96
6.2 mi·8 min·State Highway 96
40
Continue on NY 96
0.2 mi·36 sec·Fayette Street
41
Turn right onto NY 96
354 ft·16 sec·West River Street
42
Turn left onto NY 96
0.3 mi·27 sec·Washington Street
43
Continue on NY 96
0.9 mi·1 min·South Virginia Street
44
Turn left onto NY 96
0.2 mi·15 sec·North Road
45
Continue on NY 96
6.0 mi·8 min·State Highway 96
46
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 90: Lyons, Thruway
47
Merge onto NY 14
2.9 mi·4 min·NY 14
Use the straight / right lanes.
48
Turn right onto Avery Road
0.7 mi·2 min·Avery Road
49
Turn left onto Townline Road
0.9 mi·3 min·Townline Road
50
Arrive at destination
Townline Road
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 16m estimated drive time, leaving New Rochelle in the morning, perhaps around 8 or 9 AM, should get you to Thompson with time to spare before evening. There's only one recommended stop, so plan to consolidate your breaks. The majority of the drive is on highways, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading out on the 107.6-mile stretch on Long Mountain Parkway. The $47 fuel cost is an estimate, so confirm current prices before you go. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 141.2 miles from New Rochelle, NY, or about 3h 1m 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 62 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.2 miles or 3h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Thompson, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New Rochelle, 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 New Rochelle, NY
This is one driving day of about 282.5 miles and 6h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from New Rochelle, 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 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 35
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 38.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.1 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp toward Cross County Parkway West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Cross County Parkway West
7
4.1 mi into trip|~7m in|Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
Keep slight right at fork onto Cross County Parkway (local lanes) toward Exits 5 - 4N - 4S
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Exits 5 - 4N - 4S
7
4.7 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward Central Park Avenue North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4N
Toward Central Park Avenue North
8
23.3 mi into trip|~34m 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
38.9 mi into trip|~53m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.70 one way
$91.40 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$49.59
$99.19
premium
$4.85
$53.92
$107.84
diesel
$4.80
$53.34
$106.68
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
$46
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.8
1
$29.66
$13.56
Efficient EV
70.6
0
$24.72
$11.30
EV Truck/SUV
113
1
$39.55
$18.08
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
New Rochelle, NY
Late night
in New Rochelle on Sunday
Local time
5:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Smoke
S 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 2:45PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Thompson, NY
Late night
in Thompson on Sunday
Local time
5:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy then Areas Of Smoke
S 2 to 7 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 2:45PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton 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
6 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
6h 16m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 272.7
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...
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 263
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 83% of this 282.5-mile drive on highways, so expect a good amount of high-speed cruising. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 107.6 miles on Long Mountain Parkway. After that, you'll transition to surface roads like NY 17 and US 11, which will likely involve more local traffic and potentially more frequent stops or slower speeds as you approach your destination.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
50 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Mountain Parkway and NY 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 35 significant decision points across 282.5 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 3.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (Cross County Parkway (local lanes)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,621 ft91 ft
Total Climb
2,699 ft
Total Descent
2,350 ft
Highest Point
1,621 ft
~161.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,531 ft
Notable High Points
1,621 ft at ~161.4 miles+550 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New Rochelle, NY and Thompson, NY, road signs point toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain, New York State Thruway, Albany and Lisle.
Palisades Parkway North
23.3 mi in|~34m
Bear Mountain
23.3 mi in|~34m
New York State Thruway
38.9 mi in|~53m
Albany
180.6 mi in|~3h 49m|via I 81
Lisle
196.4 mi in|~4h 8m
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 6h 16m. Total distance: 282.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 16m 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 14 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 Thompson, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (Cross County Parkway (local lanes)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Women's Rights National Historical Park, Hamilton Grange National Memorial 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 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Thompson, NY before the return drive.
