If you are looking to travel from Rome to Syracuse, be prepared for a journey that covers 225.3 miles and takes approximately 4 hours and 27 minutes. This route is best suited for a single-day trip, as it is relatively straightforward to complete without an overnight stay. You should budget about $37 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating through the Northeast, you will find yourself moving between two points in New York state. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a direct interstate sprint, you should factor in extra time for traffic and navigation. It is a practical choice if you prefer backroads over high-speed highway travel.
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
104.9 miles from Rome, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Highway 8
63.7 mi
1h 29m
Adirondack Northway
25.4 mi
29m
New York State Thruway
23.6 mi
27m
State Highway 365
22.3 mi
30m
State Highway 9N
17.1 mi
26m
State Highway 73
11.5 mi
16m
NY 365
10.9 mi
15m
Adirondack Trail
9.7 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
State Highway 8
— 63.7 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rome, NY and Syracuse, NY.
1
Start on Ausable Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Ausable Drive
2
Turn right onto College Street
506 ft·22 sec·College Street
3
Turn right onto NY 9N
17 mi·26 min·State Highway 9N
4
Continue on NY 73
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 73
5
Turn straight onto US 9
2.1 mi·2 min·US 9
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 87 South
7
Merge onto I 87
25 mi·29 min·Adirondack Northway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 26Toward US 9: Pottersville, Minerva
9
Turn left onto Stone Bridge Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Stone Bridge Road
10
At end of road, turn right onto US 9
5.5 mi·9 min·US 9
11
Turn right onto NY 8
29 mi·40 min·State Highway 8
12
Continue on NY 8
0.1 mi·13 sec·State Highway 8
13
At end of road, turn right onto NY 8; NY 30
9.7 mi·14 min·Adirondack Trail
14
Turn sharp left onto NY 8
35 mi·48 min·State Highway 8
15
Turn right onto NY 365
15 mi·21 min·State Highway 365
16
Continue on NY 365
381 ft·12 sec·Mappa Avenue
17
Turn right onto NY 365
3.7 mi·5 min·State Highway 365
18
Continue on NY 365
0.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
19
Continue on NY 365
3.3 mi·4 min·State Highway 365
20
Continue on NY 365
3.7 mi·5 min·New Floyd Road
21
Continue on NY 365
0.8 mi·1 min·River Road
22
Continue on NY 365
1.1 mi·2 min·East Dominick Street
23
Take the exit onto NY 365
11 mi·15 min·NY 365
Use the left lane.
24
Turn left
0.4 mi·59 sec
Use the left lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West
26
Merge onto I 90
24 mi·27 min·New York State Thruway
27
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 34AToward I 481: Syracuse, OswegoUse the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 481 South: Syracuse, Fairgrounds, Binghamton
29
Merge onto I 481
2.3 mi·2 min·I 481
30
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 690 West: Syracuse, FairgroundsUse the straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on I 690
4.1 mi·5 min·I 690
Use the straight lane.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·41 sec
Exit 13Toward Townsend Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
33
Turn left onto North Townsend Street
501 ft·16 sec·North Townsend Street
Use the left lane.
34
Turn right onto East Water Street
479 ft·16 sec·East Water Street
35
Turn left onto US 11
0.2 mi·20 sec·South State Street
Use the straight lane.
36
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Because this trip requires steady focus on local roads, plan to leave early in the day to avoid fatigue. With only one planned stop along the 225.3-mile path, use that time to stretch your legs and ensure you are refreshed for the remaining technical segments. Since you are not relying on high-speed interstates, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before heading out, as local roads may not offer as many quick-stop service stations as major highways. A smart strategy is to map out your one stop in advance so you can pace the 4-hour and 27-minute duration effectively. Staying flexible with your timing will help you manage the turn-heavy nature of the drive with less stress.
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 104.9 miles from Rome, NY, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.7 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 46 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.9 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Syracuse, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rome, 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 Rome, NY
This is one driving day of about 209.9 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Rome, 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 State Highway 8 for about 63.7 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 165.4 and 209.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
165.4 mi into trip|~3h 54m in|NY 365
Take the exit onto NY 365
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
201 mi into trip|~4h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 481: Syracuse, Oswego
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 34A
Toward I 481: Syracuse, Oswego
7
204.5 mi into trip|~4h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 690 West: Syracuse, Fairgrounds
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 690 West: Syracuse, Fairgrounds
8
209.3 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward Townsend Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13
Toward Townsend Street, Downtown
7
209.5 mi into trip|~4h 52m in|North Townsend Street
Turn left onto North Townsend Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.55 one way
$69.10 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$37.36
$74.72
premium
$4.92
$40.68
$81.37
diesel
$5.61
$46.34
$92.69
Estimated Tolls: $1.18
New York State Thruway
(23.6 mi)$1.18
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
$35
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63
0
$22.04
$10.08
Efficient EV
52.5
0
$18.37
$8.40
EV Truck/SUV
84
1
$29.39
$13.43
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Rome, NY
Morning
in Rome on Sunday
Local time
8:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Morning
in Syracuse on Sunday
Local time
8:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
39°F
Perth, NY
105 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
20 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
4h 53m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a significantly different experience than a typical interstate commute, as this route features zero highway miles. You will spend your time navigating technical local roads, specifically College Street, Highway 9N, and Highway 73. The drive’s personality is defined by its turn-heavy nature, requiring your full attention behind the wheel throughout the entire duration. Since there is no major highway share, the pace remains consistent and deliberate rather than fast-moving. You will find that the road surface and traffic patterns change as you transition between these local thoroughfares, making it a demanding but engaging drive for those who enjoy active steering.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.7 mi on State Highway 8.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 8 and Adirondack Northway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 165.4 miles in near NY 365.
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 22 significant decision points across 209.9 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 165.4 miles (NY 365): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 201 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.5 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.
On the drive from Rome, NY to Syracuse, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Minerva along the way.
Syracuse is a city in Central New York. With a population of 149,000 in city proper and 662,000 in its metro area (2020), Syracuse is the fifth largest city in the state of New York, and the third largest in Upstate New York.
Top landmarks
•Oncenter War Memorial Arena — arena in Syracuse, New York
•Everson Museum of Art — art museum in Syracuse, New York
•Niagara Mohawk Building — historic commercial building in New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 53m. Total distance: 209.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.7 miles on State Highway 8. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.18 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 Syracuse, 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: at 165.4 miles (NY 365): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 201 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Syracuse, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
