Embarking on a journey from Ossining, NY, to Syracuse, NY, covers 231.1 miles and will take approximately 4 hours and 49 minutes. This trip is comfortably manageable as a single-day drive, with a projected fuel cost of around $38. The route is predominantly highway-focused, utilizing major arteries like Long Mountain Parkway and I-81 for most of the way. You'll be traveling within the Northeast region throughout your drive, staying within New York State. Consider this a straightforward, efficient drive that gets you from point A to point B without extensive detours, making it ideal for those who prefer covering distance.
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
115.6 miles from Ossining, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Mountain Parkway
107.6 mi
2h 14m
I 81
70.5 mi
1h 22m
NY 17
33.7 mi
40m
US 9
9.2 mi
13m
Bear Mountain Bridge Road
4.2 mi
7m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
2.6 mi
3m
North Highland Avenue
1.5 mi
3m
US 6
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Long Mountain Parkway
— 107.6 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ossining, NY and Syracuse, NY.
1
Start on NY 133
51 ft·9 sec·Upper Croton Avenue
2
Turn sharp right onto US 9
1.5 mi·3 min·North Highland Avenue
3
Take the ramp onto US 9
9.2 mi·13 min·US 9
4
Turn left onto US 6; US 9; US 202
0.2 mi·12 sec·US 6; US 9; US 202
5
Enter roundabout onto Bear Mountain Bridge Road
128 ft·1 sec·Bear Mountain Bridge Road
6
Continue on Bear Mountain Bridge Road
4.2 mi·7 min·Bear Mountain Bridge Road
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Turn slight right onto US 6; US 202
319 ft·7 sec·US 6; US 202
8
Enter roundabout onto US 6
295 ft·4 sec·Palisades Interstate Parkway
9
Continue on US 6
2.5 mi·3 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.3 mi·21 sec·US 6
Exit 18Toward US 6: Central Valley, Seven Lakes Drive, New York State Thruway
11
Enter roundabout onto US 6
177 ft·2 sec·Long Mountain Parkway
12
Continue on US 6
108 mi·2 hr 14 min·Long Mountain Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on NY 17
34 mi·40 min·NY 17
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
15
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.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
0.2 mi·17 sec·I 81
Toward SyracuseUse the straight lane.
17
Continue on I-81
0.4 mi·26 sec·I-81
18
Continue on I 81
1.9 mi·2 min·I 81
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Adams Street, Harrison StreetUse the slight right lane.
20
Continue on Almond Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Almond Street
Use the left / slight left / straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto NY 92
0.3 mi·36 sec·East Genesee Street
22
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
10 ft·0 sec·South State Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
For this 231.1-mile drive, leaving early in the morning from Ossining can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you navigate out of the greater New York metropolitan area. With a duration under five hours, you can complete this trip in one day, but it's wise to plan for at least one fuel or rest stop. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 100 miles, so ensure you're comfortable and have any necessary refreshments before setting off on that segment. Keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is recommended, as highway services can sometimes be spaced out.
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 115.6 miles from Ossining, NY, or about 2h 31m 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 51 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.6 miles or 2h 31m 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
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 Ossining, 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 Ossining, NY
This is one driving day of about 231.1 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Ossining, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.8 and 230.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
17.8 mi into trip|~29m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward US 6: Central Valley, Seven Lakes Drive, New York State Thruway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 18
Toward US 6: Central Valley, Seven Lakes Drive,...
6
159.4 mi into trip|~3h 24m 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
161.2 mi into trip|~3h 27m 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
227.7 mi into trip|~4h 44m 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
230.3 mi into trip|~4h 47m 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
$38.04 one way
$76.08 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$41.13
$82.27
premium
$4.92
$44.79
$89.58
diesel
$5.61
$51.02
$102.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.3
0
$24.27
$11.09
Efficient EV
57.8
0
$20.22
$9.24
EV Truck/SUV
92.4
1
$32.35
$14.79
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Ossining, NY
Morning
in Ossining on Tuesday
Local time
8:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 5:26PM EDT until April 16 at 6:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Morning
in Syracuse on Tuesday
Local time
8:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 7 mph37% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 5:26PM EDT until April 16 at 6:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
39°F
Rockland, NY
116 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
3 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 49m 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
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 223.2
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily characterized by its highway-focused nature, with a substantial 97% of the journey taking place on major roadways. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 107.6 miles on Long Mountain Parkway. While primarily on highways like I-81 and NY 17, the route offers a predictable driving experience, allowing for steady progress. Expect a consistent feel for the majority of the trip, as the focus is on efficient travel rather than varied scenery.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Mountain Parkway and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.8 miles in near US 6.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 231.1 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 17.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.4 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.2 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 Ossining, NY and Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward New York State Thruway 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 49m. Total distance: 231.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.4 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.2 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and General Grant National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Syracuse, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
