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Trip from Richmond Hill, NY to Albany, NY

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

Drive Time

3h 12m

Distance

155.1 mi

250 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 1m ★
6 AM
3h 13m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 18m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 6m

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

neighborhood of Queens, New York, USA

Richmond Hill, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 155-mile drive from Richmond Hill, NY, to Albany, NY, is easily manageable in about 3 hours and 12 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With 96% of the journey on highways, you can expect a focused driving experience. The estimated fuel cost is around $26, which is quite budget-friendly for a trip of this length. You'll primarily be on NY 17 and NJ 17, with a brief stint on NJ 4, keeping you moving efficiently through the Northeast region. This route offers a practical way to travel between these two New York locations without needing an overnight stay.

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

77.6 miles from Richmond Hill, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NY 17 111.7 mi 2h 8m
NJ 17 14.7 mi 18m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Van Wyck Expressway 4.9 mi 7m
I 95 4.8 mi 6m
Whitestone Expressway 2 mi 2m
I 787 1.6 mi 2m
Bronx-Whitestone Bridge 1.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: NY 17 — 111.7 mi, about 2h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Richmond Hill, NY and Albany, NY.

1

Start on Jamaica Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · Jamaica Avenue
2

Turn left onto Van Wyck Expressway

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Van Wyck Expressway
Use the left lane.
3

Continue on 138th Street

298 ft · 6 sec · 138th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
4

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway, Whitestone Bridge, Bronx
5

Merge onto I 678

4.8 mi · 6 min · Van Wyck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Merge onto I 678

2.0 mi · 2 min · Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 678

1.3 mi · 1 min · Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
8

Continue on I 678

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hutchinson River Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 19S-W; 19N Toward I 95 South, I 278 West, I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Manhattan, New Haven Connecticut Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 50 sec
Exit 19S-W Toward I 95 South, I 278 West: George Washington Bridge, Manhattan Use the slight left lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 95 South
12

Merge onto I 95

4.8 mi · 6 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
14

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.6 mi · 59 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
15

Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

0.5 mi · 48 sec · I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

0.6 mi · 39 sec · I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 95 EXPR; NJTP
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 72A Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
20

Merge onto NJ 4

6.7 mi · 9 min · NJ 4
Use the slight right lane.
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, Mahwah Use the straight lane.
22

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Merge onto NJ 17

3.3 mi · 4 min · NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Continue on NJ 17

7.3 mi · 9 min · NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
25

Continue on NJ 17

0.7 mi · 50 sec · NJ 17
26

Continue on NJ 17

3.3 mi · 4 min · NJ 17
27

Continue on I 287; NY 17

0.2 mi · 10 sec · I 287; NY 17
28

Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17

112 mi · 2 hr 8 min · NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 50 sec
Exit 23 Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy Use the slight right lane.
30

Continue on I 787

1.6 mi · 2 min · I 787
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 4 Toward US 9 North, US 20 West: Downtown Albany Use the slight right lane.
32

Turn straight onto Quay Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Quay Street
33

Turn left onto NY 5

0.2 mi · 42 sec · NY 5
34

Turn left onto NY 5

0.3 mi · 51 sec · State Street
35

At end of road, turn right onto NY 5

182 ft · 5 sec · Eagle Street
36

Turn straight onto NY 5

498 ft · 19 sec · Washington Avenue
37

Turn left

30 ft · 2 sec
38

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of just over 3 hours, this trip is ideal for a flexible departure. Aiming to leave early in the morning can help you avoid potential traffic congestion in the New York metropolitan area. You'll have one primary stretch of 111.7 miles on NY 17, so plan for a break before or after that segment. With a fuel cost estimate of $26, it's an economical journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches, to ensure you're prepared for any necessary stops.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.6 miles from Richmond Hill, NY, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.7 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 34 miles or 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 77.6 miles or 1h 40m 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 37m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Richmond Hill, 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 Richmond Hill, NY

This is one driving day of about 155.1 miles and 3h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Richmond Hill, 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 NY 17 for about 111.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

78 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

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New Windsor, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 77.6 miles from Richmond Hill, 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 111.7 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.

Top Restaurant

Kantu Peruvian Cuisine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Forest Hills, New York

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13475310873

Visit website

Cafe Tropical Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hackensack, New Jersey

1.2 mi

Cafe Madison

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Albany, New York

2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Saddle River Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Saddle River, New Jersey

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive mile 33.2

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+12012822300

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hackensack, New Jersey

1.4 mi

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Englewood, New Jersey

2 mi

Kantu Peruvian Cuisine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Forest Hills, New York

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13475310873

Visit website

Cafe Tropical Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22.2

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12018800669

Cafe Madison

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 155.1

Albany, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+15189351094

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 22.2

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12014871088

Visit website

Barnwood Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 121.9

Catskill, New York

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15189432200

Visit website

Bite Food & Coffee Co

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 22.2

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12015602269

Visit website

Gracie's Luncheonette

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 121.9

Leeds, New York

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+15189439363

Visit website

Piccolo Trattoria

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 121.9

Leeds, New York

Hours: 4–9 pm

+15187193430

Visit website

Saddle River Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive mile 33.2

Saddle River, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+12012822300

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22.2

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 22.2

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12015675111

Visit website

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 22.2

South Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12014265898

Visit website

C Squared Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22.2

Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12014259120

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 11.1

New York, New York

+19172614093

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 55.4

Central Valley, New York

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18777983752

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 55.4

Central Valley, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18774943833

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 55.4

Central Valley, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887800062

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 55.4

Harriman, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 66.5

Newburgh, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 66.5

Newburgh, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 66.5

Newburgh, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 44.3

Mahwah, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Sloatsburg Service Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area I-87 (South Bound)

0 mi from route

Plattkill Service Area

0 mi from route

Malden Service Area

0.1 mi from route

Modena Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Ulster Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Modena Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Plaza 23 Truck Stop

0.2 mi from route

Rest Area

0.4 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.5 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.5 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

2 mi from route

Shooting Zone

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 22.2

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 12–9 pm

+12014401329

Visit website

Bowler City

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 22.2

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+12013433545

Visit website

Ready to Golf

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 22.2

River Edge, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+16093887728

Visit website

Teaneck Creek Conservancy

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 22.2

Teaneck, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12018362403

Visit website

Xtreme Energy

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 22.2

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12014085555

Visit website

iFLY Indoor Skydiving- Paramus

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 22.2

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–8:30 pm

+12017334359

Visit website

Catch Air Paramus

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 22.2

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12016202125

Visit website

Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc.

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 22.2

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12019680808

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 10 and 25.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
10 mi into trip | ~15m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South, I 278 West, I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Manhattan, New Haven Connecticut

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 19S-W; 19N Toward I 95 South, I 278 West, I 95 North: Geor...
10
10.2 mi into trip | ~16m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, I 278 West: George Washington Bridge, Manhattan

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 19S-W Toward I 95 South, I 278 West: George Washingto...
8
18.1 mi into trip | ~27m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

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. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
9
18.3 mi into trip | ~28m in

Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 72A Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
8
25.4 mi into trip | ~37m in

Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.53 one way

$51.06 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $27.61 $55.21
premium $4.92 $30.06 $60.12
diesel $5.61 $34.24 $68.49

Estimated Tolls: $22.55

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Whitestone Bridge $6.55

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

$26

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46.5 0 $16.29 $7.44
Efficient EV 38.8 0 $13.57 $6.20
EV Truck/SUV 62 0 $21.71 $9.93

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Richmond Hill, NY

Late night in Richmond Hill on Sunday

Local time

12:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Mostly Sunny

SE 12 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 1:15PM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT

Destination

Albany, NY

Late night in Albany on Sunday

Local time

12:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

34°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Ramapo, NY

78 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

29 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

3h 12m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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.

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

National Memorial

Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 16
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 16
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 16
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...

10 mi from route ~24 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this trip, with 96% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 111.7 miles, primarily on NY 17, allowing for extended periods of consistent speed and minimal interruptions. This means you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads, which can be efficient but may offer fewer opportunities for spontaneous roadside exploration. The nature of the drive will be consistent, emphasizing forward progress rather than varied scenery or winding lanes.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.7 mi on NY 17.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 155.1 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: at 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Richmond Hill, NY and Albany, NY, road signs point toward Manhattan, New Haven Connecticut, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South and Gsp North - among others.

Manhattan

10 mi in | ~15m

New Haven Connecticut

10 mi in | ~15m

Upper Level

15.6 mi in | ~23m | via I 95; US 1

Njtp South: Hackensack

18.1 mi in | ~27m

Gsp South

25.2 mi in | ~37m

Gsp North

25.2 mi in | ~37m

Newark

25.2 mi in | ~37m

Mahwah

25.2 mi in | ~37m

New York State Thruway North: Albany

40.4 mi in | ~57m | via NY 17

About the Cities

Starting in Richmond Hill, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1868

Arriving in Albany, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1686

Albany is the capital of New York. Albany is an interesting showcase of several centuries' worth of architectural styles, including the modernistic Empire State Plaza.

Top landmarks

  • New York State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of New York
  • Fort Orange — fort in New Netherland (now Albany, New York)
  • Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — historic cathedral in Albany, 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 3h 12m. Total distance: 155.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 111.7 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $22.55 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. 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.

Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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 Albany, 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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and African Burial Ground National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Albany, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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Explore more options from Richmond Hill, NY or browse trips ending in Albany, NY.

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