This 327.7-mile drive from Newburgh to Amherst, New York, is a solid day trip, estimating around 7 hours of travel time. You'll navigate using a combination of NY 17 and the New York State Thruway, eventually merging onto I-81 for significant portions of the journey. With a highway share of 52%, expect a mixed driving experience. The estimated fuel cost is around $54, and planning for two stops will make the journey more comfortable. This trip stays within the Northeast region, offering a straightforward path across New York State.
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
163.8 miles from Newburgh, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
109.5 mi
2h 17m
New York State Thruway
99.6 mi
1h 55m
I 81
39.3 mi
46m
NY 17K
10.5 mi
15m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
State Highway 17K
10 mi
13m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
Chase Street
9.8 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 109.5 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newburgh, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on 2nd Street
284 ft·14 sec·2nd Street
2
Turn right onto Grand Street
177 ft·10 sec·Grand Street
3
Turn right onto Campbell Street
314 ft·19 sec·Campbell Street
4
Turn left onto Liberty Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·Liberty Street
5
Turn right onto Broadway
1.9 mi·3 min·Broadway
6
Continue on NY 17K
2.6 mi·4 min·NY 17K
7
Continue on NY 17K
7.9 mi·11 min·NY 17K
8
Turn slight left onto NY 17K
10 mi·13 min·State Highway 17K
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Wurtsboro, Binghamton
10
Merge onto NY 17
110 mi·2 hr 17 min·NY 17
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
14
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
15
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
16
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
17
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
18
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
19
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
20
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
21
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
22
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
23
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
24
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
25
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
26
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
28
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
29
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
30
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
31
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
32
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
34
Merge onto I 90
100 mi·1 hr 55 min·New York State Thruway
35
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on I 290
1.8 mi·2 min·Youngmann Expressway
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Turn left onto NY 324
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
39
Turn left onto NY 263
469 ft·13 sec·Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
40
Arrive at destination
NY 263
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour duration, departing from Newburgh early in the morning is your best bet to complete this 327.7-mile trip to Amherst in one day. With two recommended stops, aim to break up the longest stretch of 109.5 miles on NY 17. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning between the main roads, and budget approximately $54 for gas. This route is entirely within New York, making navigation relatively straightforward.
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 163.8 miles from Newburgh, NY, or about 3h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.5 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 72 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.8 miles or 3h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 51m
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 Newburgh, 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 Newburgh, NY
This is one driving day of about 327.7 miles and 7h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Newburgh, 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 NY 17 for about 109.5 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.8 and 326.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
22.8 mi into trip|~34m in
Take the ramp toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Wurtsboro, Binghamton
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Wurtsboro, Bingha...
7
224 mi into trip|~4h 58m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
224.1 mi into trip|~4h 58m 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
324.3 mi into trip|~6h 55m 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
326.5 mi into trip|~6h 58m 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
$53.94 one way
$107.88 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$58.33
$116.66
premium
$4.92
$63.51
$127.03
diesel
$5.61
$72.35
$144.70
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
$54
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.3
1
$34.41
$15.73
Efficient EV
81.9
0
$28.67
$13.11
EV Truck/SUV
131.1
1
$45.88
$20.97
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 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 19, 2026
Origin
Newburgh, NY
Morning
in Newburgh on Tuesday
Local time
6:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Amherst, NY
Morning
in Amherst on Tuesday
Local time
6:58 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
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
7h 1m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 203.4
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive, with 52% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 109.5 miles on NY 17, which may provide a different pace than the more continuous highway segments. As you progress, the drive will transition between different major roadways, including the New York State Thruway and I-81, offering varied driving conditions. Expect periods of faster highway travel interspersed with other road types.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109.5 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 25 significant decision points across 327.7 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 22.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 224.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Newburgh, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Binghamton and Albany.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 1m. Total distance: 327.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 1m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 109.5 miles on NY 17. 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 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 22.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 224.1 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 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.
