Richmond Hill, NY to Tonawanda, NY is 389.8 miles and takes about 8h 15m via New York State Thruway and I 81, with a fuel budget near $69 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York State, traversing the Northeast region. While it involves a significant portion on major highways, expect a good amount of time on surface roads, making it a potentially longer drive than the estimated time suggests. This route is best suited for those who prefer a mix of efficient highway travel and more local road cruising.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
194.9 miles from Richmond Hill, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 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
Christopher Columbus Highway
44.6 mi
52m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
US 46
10.8 mi
12m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
NJ 3
10.2 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 123 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,393 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,118
Quietest
1 AM
~445 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond Hill, NY and Tonawanda, 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
2.7 mi·3 min·Van Wyck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·58 sec
Exit 12BToward I 495 West: Midtown TunnelUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 495
3.4 mi·5 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 17WToward I 278 West: BrooklynUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, ManhattanUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 495
1.4 mi·2 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
1.3 mi·2 min·Queens-Midtown Tunnel
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward Crosstown, 37th StreetUse the slight left lane.
13
Turn slight left onto East 37th Street
1.1 mi·3 min·East 37th Street
Use the slight left lane.
14
Take the ramp
474 ft·11 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel
15
Turn right
342 ft·11 sec
Use the right lane.
16
Merge onto NY 495
105 ft·4 sec·Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 495
3.7 mi·6 min·Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
Toward Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·29 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: SecaucusUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
453 ft·7 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: CliftonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto NJ 3
10 mi·12 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto US 46
11 mi·12 min·US 46
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
23
Continue on I 80W
1.6 mi·1 min·Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, MahwahUse the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water GapUse the straight / slight left lanes.
25
Merge onto I 80
45 mi·52 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
28
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
29
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
30
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
33
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
34
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
35
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
36
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
37
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
38
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
39
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
40
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
41
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
42
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
43
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
44
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
45
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
46
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
47
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
48
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
49
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
50
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
51
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
52
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
53
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
54
Merge onto I 90
100 mi·1 hr 55 min·New York State Thruway
55
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
56
Continue on I 290
6.1 mi·8 min·Youngmann Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
57
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 2Toward NY 425: Colvin BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
58
Turn right onto NY 425
1.2 mi·2 min·Twin Cities Memorial Highway
59
Turn left onto Fillmore Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Fillmore Avenue
60
Turn left onto Fremont Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Fremont Street
61
Turn right onto Young Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·Young Street
62
Continue on Broad Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·Broad Street
63
Turn right onto NY 265
0.1 mi·21 sec·Seymour Street
64
Arrive at destination
NY 265
Trip Plan
With an estimated 8h 15m driving time, this route is manageable in a single day, but splitting it over two days is recommended for a more relaxed pace. Consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight hours. You'll have two recommended stops along the way, so plan your breaks to coincide with these or other convenient points. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you move onto the surface road sections, as gas station availability can vary. The 99.6-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway is a good segment to plan a longer driving period before needing a significant stop.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 194.9 miles from Richmond Hill, NY, or about 4h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 86 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 194.9 miles or 4h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 194.9 miles or 4h 4m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tonawanda, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Richmond Hill, NY
Aim for roughly 195 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Tonawanda, NY
Aim for roughly 195 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Richmond Hill, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 50
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 17.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.8 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12B
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
7
7.7 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 17W
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
8
8.7 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan
8
12 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Crosstown, 37th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Crosstown, 37th Street
8
17.4 mi into trip|~31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.06 one way
$126.12 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg136 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$68.43
$136.86
premium
$4.85
$74.40
$148.80
diesel
$4.80
$73.60
$147.20
Estimated Tolls: $20.98
Lincoln Tunnel
$16.00
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
$63
Tolls
$21
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$214–$324
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
116.9
1
$40.93
$18.71
Efficient EV
97.5
1
$34.11
$15.59
EV Truck/SUV
155.9
1
$54.57
$24.95
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
46 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Richmond Hill, NY
Late night
in Richmond Hill on Sunday
Local time
5:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Smoke
NW 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Tonawanda, NY
Late night
in Tonawanda on Sunday
Local time
5:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Smoke
N 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
195 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
10 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
8h 15m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a 45% highway share, meaning you'll spend a notable amount of time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on the New York State Thruway is 99.6 miles. After this, expect to transition to more local routes. The presence of the Christopher Columbus Highway suggests you might encounter more urban or suburban traffic patterns at certain points.
Only 45% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
64 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?
10/10
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 around 3.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 50 significant decision points across 389.8 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 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,962 ft59 ft
Total Climb
2,959 ft
Total Descent
2,440 ft
Highest Point
1,962 ft
~111.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,902 ft
Notable High Points
860 ft at ~55.7 miles+537 ft prominence
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 Tonawanda, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Albany.
Tonawanda is the name of both a city in the Northtowns of Erie County, New York, and the unincorporated suburban township that surrounds it. The incorporated village of Kenmore also makes up part of the Town of Tonawanda. All three of these places are covered in this article.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 195 miles on day one.
Expect about $20.98 in tolls one way, starting with Lincoln Tunnel. 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 48 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 Tonawanda, 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. There are 48 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stonewall National Monument, African Burial Ground National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.3 hours each way, a round trip means 16.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tonawanda, NY before the return drive.
