Origin
North Elba, NY
Morning in North Elba on Sunday
Local time
10:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Elba, NY to Albany, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 48m
Distance
133.3 mi
215 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 38m
★
6 AM
2h 49m
8 AM
3h 11m
10 AM
2h 56m
12 PM
2h 54m
3 PM
2h 57m
5 PM
3h 9m
8 PM
2h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Elba, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 133.3-mile drive from North Elba, NY, to Albany, NY, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 48 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via the Adirondack Northway and State Highway 73, with some time on Loudon Road as you approach Albany. With a projected fuel cost of around $22, this route offers an economical journey. Given that both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, you'll be staying within familiar territory. This trip is best suited for those looking for a straightforward drive without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
66.7 miles from North Elba, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adirondack Northway | 97.6 mi | 1h 53m |
| State Highway 73 | 18.7 mi | 27m |
| Loudon Road | 6.2 mi | 10m |
| Cascade Road | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| US 9 | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| State Highway 9N | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Henry Johnson Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Washington Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Adirondack Northway
— 97.6 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Elba, NY and Albany, NY.
1
Start on NY 73
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Cascade Road
2
Continue on NY 73
7.2 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 73
3
Turn straight onto NY 9N; NY 73
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 9N
4
Continue on NY 73
11 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 73
5
Turn straight onto US 9
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 9
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 87 South
7
Merge onto I 87
98 mi
·
1 hr 53 min
·
Adirondack Northway
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 7-6
Toward NY 2, NY 7: Schenectady, Watervliet, Troy, Cohoes
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward NY 2, NY 7 West: Troy, Schenectady
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto NY 7
237 ft
·
3 sec
·
NY 7
11
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 7
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
NY 7
Exit 6
Toward NY 2, NY 7 West: Watervliet, Schenectady
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward NY 2, NY 9
Use the slight left lane.
13
Turn straight onto NY 2
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Troy Schenectady Road
14
Enter roundabout onto Loudon Road
20 ft
·
0 sec
·
Loudon Road
15
Continue on Loudon Road
6.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Loudon Road
16
Continue on US 9
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Henry Johnson Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto NY 5
508 ft
·
16 sec
·
Central Avenue
18
Turn slight left onto NY 5
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Avenue
19
Turn right
30 ft
·
2 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2 hour and 48-minute duration for this 133.3-mile trip, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive in Albany with plenty of the day remaining. With only one recommended stop, you can easily break up the drive as needed, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $22, and plan your refueling accordingly. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage when transitioning from the Adirondack Northway to State Highway 73, as this is where the "turn-heavy" nature of the drive becomes more prominent.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.7 miles from North Elba, NY, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.6 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 29 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.7 miles or 1h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North Elba, 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 North Elba, NY
This is one driving day of about 133.3 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from North Elba, 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 Adirondack Northway for about 97.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.7 miles from North Elba, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Adirondack Northway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 26.3 and 125.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
26.3 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the ramp toward I 87 South
Navigation decision point
Toward I 87 South
6
124.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward NY 2, NY 7: Schenectady, Watervliet, Troy, Cohoes
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 7-6
Toward NY 2, NY 7: Schenectady, Watervliet, Tro...
8
124.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 2, NY 7 West: Troy, Schenectady
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NY 2, NY 7 West: Troy, Schenectady
8
125.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
|
NY 7
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 7 toward NY 2, NY 7 West: Watervliet, Schenectady
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 6
Toward NY 2, NY 7 West: Watervliet, Schenectady
9
125.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 2, NY 9
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward NY 2, NY 9
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.94 one way
$43.88 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $23.73 | $47.45 |
| premium | $4.92 | $25.84 | $51.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.43 | $58.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40 | 0 | $14.00 | $6.40 |
| Efficient EV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.66 | $5.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.3 | 0 | $18.66 | $8.53 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Albany, NY
Morning in Albany on Sunday
Local time
10:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Bolton, NY
67 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
14 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
2h 48m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" profile for this 133.3-mile journey. While 17% of the route is on highways, the majority involves navigating local roads, which contributes to the 2 hour and 48-minute travel time. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 97.6 miles on the Adirondack Northway, offering a period of more consistent travel before you transition back to more varied road conditions. This drive will require your attention as you manage numerous turns and changing speed limits, rather than a purely interstate experience.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.6 mi on Adirondack Northway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 26.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 133.3 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 26.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 124.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.7 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North Elba, NY and Albany, NY, road signs point toward Watervliet, Troy, Cohoes and Schenectady.
Watervliet
124.3 mi in
|
~2h 31m
Troy
124.3 mi in
|
~2h 31m
Cohoes
124.3 mi in
|
~2h 31m
Schenectady
124.7 mi in
|
~2h 32m
About the Cities
Starting in North Elba, NY
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • John Brown Farm State Historic Site — historical landmark
Arriving in Albany, NY
Full guide →Founded 1686
Albany is the capital of New York. Albany is an interesting showcase of several centuries' worth of architectural styles, including the modernistic Empire State Plaza.
Top landmarks
- • New York State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of New York
- • Fort Orange — fort in New Netherland (now Albany, New York)
- • Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — historic cathedral in Albany, New York, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 133.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.6 miles on Adirondack Northway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Albany, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 26.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 124.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Albany, NY before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Albany, NY
More trips to Albany, NY
Explore more options from North Elba, NY or browse trips ending in Albany, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.