This 348.3-mile drive from Putnam Valley, NY, to Amherst, NY, is a solid one-day undertaking, estimated to take about 7 hours and 26 minutes of pure driving time. You'll be navigating primarily via Long Mountain Parkway and the New York State Thruway, with a portion on I-81. Given the duration, it’s definitely manageable as a single-day trip, though breaking it up is also an option. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $57. This route keeps you within the Northeast region, traversing familiar New York landscapes. It offers a practical way to get from one point to another across the 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
174.1 miles from Putnam Valley, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Mountain Parkway
107.6 mi
2h 14m
New York State Thruway
99.6 mi
1h 55m
I 81
39.3 mi
46m
NY 17
33.7 mi
40m
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
Longest stretch:
Long Mountain Parkway
— 107.6 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Putnam Valley, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on this road
125 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto CR 20
0.2 mi·30 sec·Oscawana Lake Road
3
Continue on Old Oregon Road
486 ft·15 sec·Old Oregon Road
4
Keep slight right at fork onto Oregon Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Oregon Road
5
Enter roundabout onto Oregon Road
82 ft·2 sec·Oregon Road
6
Continue on Oregon Road
1.3 mi·3 min·Oregon Road
7
Continue on Oregon Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Oregon Road
8
Continue on North Division Street
0.4 mi·1 min·North Division Street
9
Take the ramp
330 ft·10 sec
10
Merge onto Bear Mountain Parkway
1.0 mi·1 min·Bear Mountain Parkway
11
Turn right onto US 6; US 9; US 202
0.2 mi·12 sec·US 6; US 9; US 202
Use the right lane.
12
Enter roundabout onto Bear Mountain Bridge Road
128 ft·1 sec·Bear Mountain Bridge Road
13
Continue on Bear Mountain Bridge Road
4.2 mi·7 min·Bear Mountain Bridge Road
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Turn slight right onto US 6; US 202
319 ft·7 sec·US 6; US 202
15
Enter roundabout onto US 6
295 ft·4 sec·Palisades Interstate Parkway
16
Continue on US 6
2.5 mi·3 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
17
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
18
Enter roundabout onto US 6
177 ft·2 sec·Long Mountain Parkway
19
Continue on US 6
108 mi·2 hr 14 min·Long Mountain Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on NY 17
34 mi·40 min·NY 17
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
24
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
25
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
26
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
28
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
29
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
30
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
31
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
32
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
33
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
34
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
35
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
36
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
37
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
38
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
39
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
40
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
41
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
42
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
43
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
44
Merge onto I 90
100 mi·1 hr 55 min·New York State Thruway
45
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Continue on I 290
1.8 mi·2 min·Youngmann Expressway
47
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Turn left onto NY 324
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
49
Turn left onto NY 263
469 ft·13 sec·Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
50
Arrive at destination
NY 263
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour and 26-minute drive, an early morning departure from Putnam Valley, NY, is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. You'll have two recommended stops along the 348.3-mile route, which should be sufficient for fuel and rest. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before entering longer stretches like the 107.6 miles on Long Mountain Parkway. The $57 fuel cost is an estimate, so budgeting a little extra is always wise. Since this is a feasible day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your stop timing based on your energy levels.
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 174.1 miles from Putnam Valley, NY, or about 3h 42m 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 77 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.1 miles or 3h 42m 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 15m
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 Putnam Valley, 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 Putnam Valley, NY
This is one driving day of about 348.3 miles and 7h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Putnam Valley, 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 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 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.6 and 347.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
11.6 mi into trip|~22m 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,...
7
244.5 mi into trip|~5h 24m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
244.7 mi into trip|~5h 24m 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
344.9 mi into trip|~7h 21m 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
347.1 mi into trip|~7h 24m 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
$57.33 one way
$114.66 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg122 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$61.99
$123.99
premium
$4.92
$67.51
$135.01
diesel
$5.61
$76.90
$153.80
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
$57
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104.5
1
$36.57
$16.72
Efficient EV
87.1
0
$30.48
$13.93
EV Truck/SUV
139.3
1
$48.76
$22.29
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Putnam Valley, NY
Late night
in Putnam Valley on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Amherst, NY
Late night
in Amherst on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Union, NY
174 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
1 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
7h 26m 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
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 228.2
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 240.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive experience on this 348.3-mile journey. With 56% of the route on highways, you'll encounter stretches of faster-paced travel, particularly on the New York State Thruway and I-81. However, the drive also includes time on Long Mountain Parkway, where you'll experience a 107.6-mile stretch that may offer a different pace. This variety means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate loop the entire time. The character of the road will shift as you progress, providing a dynamic driving experience.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
50 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?
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 11.6 miles in near US 6.
Driving Effort9/10
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 31 significant decision points across 348.3 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 11.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 244.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,765 ft156 ft
Total Climb
2,314 ft
Total Descent
1,874 ft
Highest Point
1,765 ft
~74.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,609 ft
Notable High Points
1,765 ft at ~74.6 miles+605 ft prominence
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 Putnam Valley, NY to Amherst, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Albany along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 26m. Total distance: 348.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 26m 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 107.6 miles on Long Mountain Parkway. 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 11.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 244.7 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 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 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.
