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Trip from Port Jervis, NY to Amherst, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 25m

Distance

310.5 mi

500 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 13m ★
6 AM
6h 26m
8 AM
6h 51m
10 AM
6h 34m
12 PM
6h 32m
3 PM
6h 36m
5 PM
6h 49m
8 PM
6h 18m

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

Downtown Port Jervis, NY, NY

Port Jervis, NY

Mel Audelo

town in New York, United States

Amherst, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Port Jervis to Amherst is 310.5 miles and takes about 6h 25m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within New York, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a mix of highway driving and some surface roads, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of nearly 100 miles on the Thruway, it's a manageable drive for most. The estimated fuel cost of $51 provides a good baseline for budgeting.

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

155.3 miles from Port Jervis, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 99.6 mi 1h 55m
I 81 97.3 mi 1h 55m
I 84 55.1 mi 1h 4m
Clinton Street 10.5 mi 15m
East Lake Road 9.9 mi 14m
Chase Street 9.8 mi 11m
East Genesee Street 7.3 mi 13m
State Route 41 4.8 mi 7m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 99.6 mi, about 1h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Port Jervis, NY and Amherst, NY.

1

Start on this road

38 ft · 5 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto US 6; US 209

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Pike Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Turn right onto US 6; US 209

1.7 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
4

Continue on US 6

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Slate Hill Road
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 32 sec
6

Merge onto I 84

55 mi · 1 hr 4 min · I 84
Use the straight lane.
7

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81
Use the straight lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

37 mi · 43 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
10

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Exit 52 Toward NY 13: Cortland
11

Turn right onto NY 13

39 ft · 5 sec · Clinton Avenue
12

Turn left onto Locust Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · Locust Avenue
13

Continue on Albany Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Albany Street
14

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

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
15

Turn left onto NY 41

10 mi · 15 min · Clinton Street
16

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road
17

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
18

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road
19

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 48 sec · East Lake Street
20

Turn left onto US 20

7.3 mi · 13 min · East Genesee Street
21

Turn right onto US 20

0.2 mi · 12 sec · North Fulton Street
22

Turn left onto US 20; NY 5

0.4 mi · 1 min · Arterial West
23

Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38

9.8 mi · 11 min · Chase Street
Use the left lane.
24

Continue on US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
25

Turn right onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318
26

Continue on NY 318

319 ft · 10 sec · NY 318
Use the right lane.
27

Turn right onto NY 414

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

Continue on NY 414

217 ft · 11 sec · Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
29

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Use the left lane.
30

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo Use the straight / right lanes.
31

Merge onto I 90

100 mi · 1 hr 55 min · New York State Thruway
32

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 36 sec
Exit 50 Toward I 290: Niagara Falls Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33

Continue on I 290

1.8 mi · 2 min · Youngmann Expressway
34

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.
35

Turn left onto NY 324

0.9 mi · 1 min · Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
36

Turn left onto NY 263

469 ft · 13 sec · Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
37

Arrive at destination

NY 263

Trip Plan

Given the 6h 25m duration, starting your drive from Port Jervis in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive in Amherst with daylight to spare. With only one stop suggested, you have flexibility in where you choose to break up the 310.5 miles. Consider the 99.6-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway as a good point to plan for your single stop, perhaps around the halfway mark of that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before entering longer stretches of highway where services might be less frequent. The estimated $51 fuel cost is a helpful guide for planning expenses.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 155.3 miles from Port Jervis, NY, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 68 miles or 1h 20m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 155.3 miles or 3h 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 5h 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 Port Jervis, 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 Port Jervis, NY

This is one driving day of about 310.5 miles and 6h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Port Jervis, 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 99.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Maine, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Maine, NY

155 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

Maine, NY to Amherst, NY

190.7 mi · 4h 7m

Pacing Suggestions

Binghamton, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cortland, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 155.3 miles from Port Jervis, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.6 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 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 309.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 6; US 209 / Pike Street

Turn right onto US 6; US 209 / Pike Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
206.8 mi into trip | ~4h 23m in

Take the ramp

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
207 mi into trip | ~4h 23m 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
307.2 mi into trip | ~6h 20m 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
309.4 mi into trip | ~6h 23m 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

$51.11 one way

$102.22 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 109 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $55.27 $110.53
premium $4.92 $60.18 $120.36
diesel $5.61 $68.55 $137.11

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

$51

Tolls

$5

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$81–$106

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 93.1 1 $32.60 $14.90
Efficient EV 77.6 0 $27.17 $12.42
EV Truck/SUV 124.2 1 $43.47 $19.87

Gas CO2

109 kg

EV CO2

36 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

Port Jervis, NY

Morning in Port Jervis on Tuesday

Local time

7:48 AM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Amherst, NY

Morning in Amherst on Tuesday

Local time

7:48 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

61°F

Maine, NY

155 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

13 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

6h 25m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly highway, with 53% of the route on major freeways like the New York State Thruway, I-81, and I-84. You'll encounter a longest continuous stretch of 99.6 miles on the New York State Thruway, offering extended periods of consistent cruising. The profile is mixed highway and surface, so expect to transition from faster-paced freeway driving to slower speeds on local roads. The high percentage of highway suggests frequent exits and potential for merging traffic as you approach different areas.

53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 mi on New York State Thruway.

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 early in the drive near US 6; US 209 / Pike Street.

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 24 significant decision points across 310.5 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 (US 6; US 209 / Pike Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 206.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 207 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.

On the drive from Port Jervis, NY to Amherst, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Albany along the way.

Albany

115.5 mi in | ~2h 16m | via I 81

About the Cities

Starting in Port Jervis, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1690

Port Jervis is a village with about 8,800 inhabitants in Orange County, New York.

Top landmarks

  • Port Jervis station — former Erie Railroad station

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 6h 25m. Total distance: 310.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 25m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 99.6 miles on New York State Thruway. 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 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 (US 6; US 209 / Pike Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 206.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 207 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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