Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 10m
Distance
199 mi
320 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Owego, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Yonkers, NY
Wikimedia Commons
This 199-mile drive from Owego to Yonkers, NY, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 4 hours and 10 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-86 and the Palisades Interstate Parkway, this route covers 92% highway, making it a quick trip for a single day. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, it's an economical option for getting between these two points within New York. The drive is designed for efficiency, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You'll experience a consistent pace for the majority of your travel.
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
99.5 miles from Owego, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 86 | 129.9 mi | 2h 40m |
| Southern Tier Expressway | 23.5 mi | 28m |
| Palisades Interstate Parkway | 15.1 mi | 17m |
| New York State Thruway | 10.2 mi | 13m |
| Saw Mill River Parkway | 7.8 mi | 10m |
| US 6 | 7.1 mi | 9m |
| Southside Drive | 2 mi | 3m |
| Yonkers Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Owego, NY and Yonkers, NY.
Start on NY 96
Turn left onto NY 17C; NY 96
Turn slight left onto Susquehanna River Bridge Road
Continue on NY 96
Turn left onto NY 434
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 86
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
Take the exit onto US 6
Enter roundabout
Continue
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
Take the exit
Merge onto I 87; I 287
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
Take the exit
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
Take the exit
Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue
Continue on Nepperhan Avenue
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A
Arrive at destination
For this 4-hour, 10-minute drive, departing Owego in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and avoid potential evening traffic as you approach Yonkers. With a single stop recommended, plan for a quick break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. The majority of this trip is on I-86, so keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 129.9-mile stretch. Given the relatively short duration, you have flexibility with timing, but staying aware of the $33 fuel cost will help you budget. Remember that the Palisades Interstate Parkway is your final approach, so be prepared for its specific road conditions.
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.
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 44 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.5 miles or 2h 4m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yonkers, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Owego, 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 Owego, NY
This is one driving day of about 199 miles and 4h 10m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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.
A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 99.5 miles from Owego, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 26 and 198.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17 toward New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, White Plains, New York State Thruway South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward West Yonkers Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$32.76 one way
$65.51 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $35.42 | $70.84 |
| premium | $4.92 | $38.57 | $77.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.94 | $87.87 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.51
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
$33
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.7 | 0 | $20.89 | $9.55 |
| Efficient EV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.41 | $7.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.6 | 0 | $27.86 | $12.74 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Owego on Tuesday
Local time
6:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Morning in Yonkers on Tuesday
Local time
6:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a highly efficient, highway-dominated experience on this route. With 92% of the drive on major roadways like the Southern Tier Expressway (I-86) and the Palisades Interstate Parkway, this is a classic interstate cruise. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 129.9 miles on I-86, meaning you can settle in for a significant period without needing to navigate complex interchanges. The profile is consistently highway-focused, offering a predictable and fast-paced drive from start to finish.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and Southern Tier Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26 miles in near I 86; NY 17.
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 16 significant decision points across 199 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 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 178.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Owego, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward New York, Palisades Interstate Parkway South, White Plains and New York State Thruway South.
New York
Palisades Interstate Parkway South
White Plains
New York State Thruway South
Founded 1646
Yonkers is a city of 211,569 people (2020) in Westchester County. The third most populous city in New York state, Yonkers is a suburb of New York City and borders the Borough of the Bronx. Yonkers is known as the "City of Seven Hills," which are Park, Nodine, Ridge, Cross, Locust, Glen, and Church hills.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 10m. Total distance: 199 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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