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Trip from Patterson, NY to Amherst, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 30m

Distance

353.7 mi

569 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$58

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
7h 21m ★
6 AM
7h 31m
8 AM
7h 51m
10 AM
7h 38m
12 PM
7h 36m
3 PM
7h 39m
5 PM
7h 50m
8 PM
7h 25m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in Putnam County, New York, United States

Patterson, NY

Wikimedia Commons

town in New York, United States

Amherst, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This roughly 354-mile drive from Patterson, NY, to Amherst, NY, is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 7 hours and 30 minutes of driving time. You'll be covering ground primarily on NY 17 and the New York State Thruway, with a segment on I-81. With a highway share of 57%, expect a mixed driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $58, and you'll have about two planned stops. This route stays within the Northeast region, offering a straightforward transition 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

176.9 miles from Patterson, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 43m 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
I 84 27.3 mi 32m
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 Patterson, NY and Amherst, NY.

1

Start on NY 311

4.2 mi · 7 min · State Highway 311
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward Newburgh
3

Merge onto I 84

27 mi · 32 min · I 84
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 34 Toward NY 17K: Montgomery, Newburgh Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Turn right onto NY 17K

6.9 mi · 9 min · NY 17K
6

Turn slight left onto NY 17K

10 mi · 13 min · State Highway 17K
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Wurtsboro, Binghamton
8

Merge onto NY 17

110 mi · 2 hr 17 min · NY 17
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

37 mi · 43 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
11

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Exit 52 Toward NY 13: Cortland
12

Turn right onto NY 13

39 ft · 5 sec · Clinton Avenue
13

Turn left onto Locust Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · Locust Avenue
14

Continue on Albany Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Albany Street
15

At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
16

Turn left onto NY 41

10 mi · 15 min · Clinton Street
17

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road
18

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
19

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road
20

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 48 sec · East Lake Street
21

Turn left onto US 20

7.3 mi · 13 min · East Genesee Street
22

Turn right onto US 20

0.2 mi · 12 sec · North Fulton Street
23

Turn left onto US 20; NY 5

0.4 mi · 1 min · Arterial West
24

Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38

9.8 mi · 11 min · Chase Street
Use the left lane.
25

Continue on US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
26

Turn right onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318
27

Continue on NY 318

319 ft · 10 sec · NY 318
Use the right lane.
28

Turn right onto NY 414

0.3 mi · 28 sec · State Route 414
Use the right lane.
29

Continue on NY 414

217 ft · 11 sec · Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
30

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Use the left lane.
31

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo Use the straight / right lanes.
32

Merge onto I 90

100 mi · 1 hr 55 min · New York State Thruway
33

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 36 sec
Exit 50 Toward I 290: Niagara Falls Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Continue on I 290

1.8 mi · 2 min · Youngmann Expressway
35

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 6 Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Turn left onto NY 324

0.9 mi · 1 min · Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
37

Turn left onto NY 263

469 ft · 13 sec · Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
38

Arrive at destination

NY 263

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Patterson to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With two stops factored in, you can easily manage breaks for stretching and refueling. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 109.5 miles on NY 17, as services might be less frequent in certain areas. The $58 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for unforeseen circumstances.

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 176.9 miles from Patterson, NY, or about 3h 43m 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 78 miles or 1h 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 176.9 miles or 3h 43m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 19m

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 Patterson, 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 Patterson, NY

This is one driving day of about 353.7 miles and 7h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Patterson, 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.

town in Broome County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vestal, NY

177 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.

Popular next leg

Vestal, NY to Amherst, NY

195.6 mi · 4h 4m

Pacing Suggestions

Poughkeepsie, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Endwell, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 176.9 miles from Patterson, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Electrify America Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 227.4

Skaneateles, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 25.3

Beacon, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 328.5

Corfu, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 252.7

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 252.7

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 252.7

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 252.7

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVolve NY Charging Station

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 75.8

Liberty, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887187474

Visit website

Mid-Lakes Navigation

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 227.4

Skaneateles, New York

Hours: Closed

+13156858500

Visit website

CNY Living History Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 202.1

Cortland, New York

Hours: Closed

+16072994185

Visit website

Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 353.7

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 10:30 am–2:30 pm

+17168563858

Visit website

Billy Wilson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 353.7

Williamsville, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+17166317132

Visit website

The Buffalo Zoo

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 353.7

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17168373900

Visit website

Delaware Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 353.7

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17168381249

Visit website

Bannerman Castle

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 25.3

Beacon, New York

+18452372636

Visit website

5 Wits Buffalo

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 353.7

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 12–8 pm

+17162730600

Visit website

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 31.7 and 352.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
31.7 mi into trip | ~40m in

Take the exit toward NY 17K: Montgomery, Newburgh

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 34 Toward NY 17K: Montgomery, Newburgh
7
250 mi into trip | ~5h 28m in

Take the ramp

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
250.2 mi into trip | ~5h 28m 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
350.4 mi into trip | ~7h 25m 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
352.6 mi into trip | ~7h 28m 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

$58.22 one way

$116.44 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 124 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $62.96 $125.91
premium $4.92 $68.55 $137.11
diesel $5.61 $78.09 $156.19

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

$58

Tolls

$5

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$88–$113

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 123.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 106.1 1 $37.14 $16.98
Efficient EV 88.4 1 $30.95 $14.15
EV Truck/SUV 141.5 1 $49.52 $22.64

Gas CO2

124 kg

EV CO2

41 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 15, 2026

Origin

Patterson, NY

Morning in Patterson on Sunday

Local time

7:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Amherst, NY

Morning in Amherst on Sunday

Local time

7:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°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

7 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

7h 30m 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

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...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 231.8
View on nps.gov
Women's Rights National Historical Park

Women's Rights National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 244
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive offers a varied road personality, characterized as a 'mixed drive' with 57% of it on highways. You'll encounter a substantial 109.5-mile stretch on NY 17, which will likely break up the interstate feel. The New York State Thruway and I-81 portions will provide faster, more direct travel, while other segments might offer a slightly more varied pace. Overall, anticipate a blend of efficient highway cruising and more engaging road sections as you progress westward.

57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 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 31.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 353.7 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 31.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 250 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 250.2 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 Patterson, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Newburgh, Binghamton and Albany.

Newburgh

31.7 mi in | ~40m

Binghamton

48.9 mi in | ~1h 4m

Albany

158.7 mi in | ~3h 22m | via I 81

About the Cities

Starting in Patterson, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1795

Arriving in Amherst, NY

Full guide →

Amherst is a town in the Northtowns of Erie County, New York.

Top landmarks

  • • Entranceway at Main Street at Roycroft Boulevard — residential landscape feature in Amherst, New York state, USA
  • • Entranceways at Main Street at Lamarck Drive and Smallwood Drive — residential landscape feature in Amherst, New York state, USA

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 7h 30m. Total distance: 353.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 30m 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 31.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 250 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 250.2 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 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 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.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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