This 204.3-mile drive from Newburgh, NY, to Syracuse, NY, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 17 minutes. Given its relatively short duration and the fact that it's primarily on major roads, this route is ideal as a single-day trip. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $34, making it an economical choice. You'll spend most of your time on NY 17 and I-81, offering a predictable travel experience through the Northeast region of New York State. This route offers a practical way to cover distance 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
102.2 miles from Newburgh, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
109.5 mi
2h 17m
I 81
70.5 mi
1h 22m
NY 17K
10.5 mi
15m
State Highway 17K
10 mi
13m
Broadway
1.9 mi
3m
I-81
0.4 mi
<1m
Almond Street
0.3 mi
<1m
East Genesee Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 109.5 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newburgh, NY and Syracuse, 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
66 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: SyracuseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
0.2 mi·17 sec·I 81
Toward SyracuseUse the straight lane.
14
Continue on I-81
0.4 mi·26 sec·I-81
15
Continue on I 81
1.9 mi·2 min·I 81
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Adams Street, Harrison StreetUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on Almond Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Almond Street
Use the left / slight left / straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto NY 92
0.3 mi·36 sec·East Genesee Street
19
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
10 ft·0 sec·South State Street
20
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 17-minute drive, departing in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one planned stop suggested, you have flexibility to adjust your schedule as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 109.5-mile stretch on NY 17, as services can be spaced out. The $34 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a buffer. This route is easily manageable in one day, so you can focus on enjoying the journey rather than worrying about overnight accommodations.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 102.2 miles from Newburgh, NY, or about 2h 14m 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 45 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.2 miles or 2h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Syracuse, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Newburgh, NY
This is one driving day of about 204.3 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Newburgh, 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 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.8 and 203.5 — 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...
6
132.6 mi into trip|~2h 52m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
7
134.4 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Syracuse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
7
200.9 mi into trip|~4h 12m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward Syracuse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Syracuse
7
203.5 mi into trip|~4h 15m in
Take the exit toward Adams Street, Harrison Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Adams Street, Harrison Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.63 one way
$67.26 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$36.36
$72.73
premium
$4.92
$39.60
$79.19
diesel
$5.61
$45.11
$90.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.3
0
$21.45
$9.81
Efficient EV
51.1
0
$17.88
$8.17
EV Truck/SUV
81.7
1
$28.60
$13.08
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Late night
in Newburgh on Tuesday
Local time
5:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Late night
in Syracuse on Tuesday
Local time
5:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Rain Showers
NW 8 mph81% chanceLive forecast
41°F
Walton, NY
102 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
9 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
4h 17m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 197.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 93% of this trip, primarily utilizing NY 17 and I-81. The road offers a consistent pace for extended periods, with the longest uninterrupted stretch measuring 109.5 miles on NY 17. While largely a high-speed experience, you'll transition between these main arteries, giving you a feel for different highway environments. The route is designed for efficient travel, minimizing complex navigation and maximizing forward momentum. This character makes it well-suited for those prioritizing time and directness.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and I 81. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 22.8 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 204.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 22.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.6 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.4 miles (I 81): 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 Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Binghamton and Albany.
Syracuse is a city in Central New York. With a population of 149,000 in city proper and 662,000 in its metro area (2020), Syracuse is the fifth largest city in the state of New York, and the third largest in Upstate New York.
Top landmarks
•Oncenter War Memorial Arena — arena in Syracuse, New York
•Everson Museum of Art — art museum in Syracuse, New York
•Niagara Mohawk Building — historic commercial building in New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 17m. Total distance: 204.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Syracuse, 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.6 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.4 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Syracuse, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
