Origin
Penfield, NY
Late night in Penfield on Tuesday
Local time
5:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Penfield, NY to Utica, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 37m
Distance
130.1 mi
209 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 27m
★
6 AM
2h 37m
8 AM
2h 58m
10 AM
2h 45m
12 PM
2h 43m
3 PM
2h 46m
5 PM
2h 57m
8 PM
2h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Penfield, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Utica, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 130.1-mile drive from Penfield, NY, to Utica, NY, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 37 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the New York State Thruway, Eastern Expressway, and Marsh Road, with about 75% of the journey on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, this route is budget-friendly. It's a straightforward trip connecting two points within the Northeast region, making it ideal for a quick transit or a scenic exploration of upstate New York without the need for an overnight stop.
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
65 miles from Penfield, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 117.6 mi | 2h 15m |
| Eastern Expressway | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| Marsh Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| North Genesee Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Lincoln Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Five Mile Line Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Palmyra Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Bluff Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 117.6 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Penfield, NY and Utica, NY.
1
Start on NY 441
121 ft
·
6 sec
·
Penfield Road
2
Turn left onto CR 18
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Five Mile Line Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Continue on CR 17
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Whitney Road
4
Turn right onto CR 15
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
East Linden Avenue
5
Turn left onto Bluff Drive
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Bluff Drive
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on CR 36
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Lincoln Road
7
Continue on CR 38
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Marsh Road
8
Turn left onto NY 31
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Palmyra Road
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 490 East, I 90: Victor
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 490
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Eastern Expressway
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
12
Merge onto I 90
118 mi
·
2 hr 15 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 790, NY 8, NY 12: Utica
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
15
Keep slight right at fork
159 ft
·
3 sec
16
Turn slight right onto North Genesee Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Genesee Street
17
Continue on Genesee Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Genesee Street
18
Turn right onto Washington Lane
63 ft
·
2 sec
·
Washington Lane
19
Arrive at destination
Washington Lane
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 37-minute duration, this drive is perfectly suited for a single day. You can leave Penfield in the morning and arrive in Utica with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop and a manageable 130.1 miles, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on the New York State Thruway is quite substantial at 117.6 miles; planning a fuel stop before embarking on this segment is advisable, especially considering the $21 estimated fuel cost.
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 65 miles from Penfield, NY, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.6 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65 miles or 1h 20m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Utica, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Penfield, 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 Penfield, NY
This is one driving day of about 130.1 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Penfield, 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 New York State Thruway for about 117.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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 65 miles from Penfield, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 117.6 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 127.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 18 / Five Mile Line Road
Turn left onto CR 18 / Five Mile Line Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Bluff Drive
Turn left onto Bluff Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
4.1 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the ramp toward I 490 East, I 90: Victor
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 490 East, I 90: Victor
5
9.6 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 90 East: Albany
7
127.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 790, NY 8, NY 12: Utica
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 I 790, NY 8, NY 12: Utica
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.42 one way
$42.83 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $23.16 | $46.31 |
| premium | $4.92 | $25.22 | $50.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.72 | $57.45 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.88
New York State Thruway
(117.6 mi)
$5.88
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
$21
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39 | 0 | $13.66 | $6.24 |
| Efficient EV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.38 | $5.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52 | 0 | $18.21 | $8.33 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Utica, NY
Late night in Utica on Tuesday
Local time
5:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
1 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
2h 37m 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 drive with a significant 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, despite a substantial highway share. While 75% of the route involves highway travel, it's punctuated by local road segments. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 117.6 miles on the New York State Thruway, offering a period of consistent cruising. However, be prepared for the road to transition and become more involved as you approach your destination, requiring more attention to turns and local traffic patterns.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.6 mi on New York State Thruway.
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 early in the drive near CR 18 / Five Mile Line Road.
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 12 significant decision points across 130.1 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: near the start (CR 18 / Five Mile Line Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (Bluff Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in Penfield, NY
Full guide →Founded 1810
Arriving in Utica, NY
Full guide →Founded 1734
Utica is the heart of the Mohawk Valley and the seat of Oneida County in Central New York State. Utica offers the charm of small-city living balanced with the cultural and ethnic diversity of an international urban center. At the foot of the Adirondack Mountains, Utica is a truly scenic city that offers the pleasures of both a rural and urban setting.
Top landmarks
- • Utica Memorial Auditorium — multi-purpose arena
- • Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute — arts center in Utica, New York
- • Union Station — railway station in Utica, 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 37m. Total distance: 130.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 117.6 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.88 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.
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 Utica, 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: near the start (CR 18 / Five Mile Line Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (Bluff Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles: 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 Utica, 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 Utica, NY
More trips to Utica, NY
Explore more options from Penfield, NY or browse trips ending in Utica, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.