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Trip from Saratoga Springs, NY to Yonkers, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 34m

Distance

176.6 mi

284 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 23m ★
6 AM
3h 35m
8 AM
4h 0m
10 AM
3h 44m
12 PM
3h 41m
3 PM
3h 45m
5 PM
3h 59m
8 PM
3h 27m

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

city in Saratoga County, New York, United States

Saratoga Springs, NY

Wikimedia Commons

city in Westchester County, New York, United States

Yonkers, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Saratoga Springs to Yonkers is 176.6 miles and takes about 3h 34m via I 87, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New York, connecting the Northeast region from one point to another. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained highways, making for a straightforward trip. Given the relatively short duration, it's an ideal route for a single-day excursion.

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

88.3 miles from Saratoga Springs, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 87 118.6 mi 2h 17m
Adirondack Northway 23.8 mi 29m
New York State Thruway 20 mi 25m
Saw Mill River Parkway 7.8 mi 10m
Broadway 4.1 mi 6m
Yonkers Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
Nepperhan Avenue 0.5 mi <1m
South Broadway <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 87 — 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m

Traffic on I-87

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 13 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~3,385 veh/hr typical · worst 4,146

Quietest

1 AM

~143 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

23.7×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 28 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 Saratoga Springs, NY and Yonkers, NY.

1

Start on NY 29

65 ft · 8 sec · Lake Avenue
2

Turn left onto US 9; NY 29; NY 50

4.1 mi · 6 min · Broadway
3

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 87 South
4

Merge onto I 87

24 mi · 29 min · Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87

0.3 mi · 31 sec · I 87
Exit 1E-W Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo Use the slight right lane.
6

Continue on I 87

0.5 mi · 51 sec · I 87
Exit 1W Toward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87

118 mi · 2 hr 16 min · I 87
Toward I 87 South: New York Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 87

19 mi · 24 min · New York State Thruway
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87

1.0 mi · 1 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 7A Toward Saw Mill River Parkway South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway

7.8 mi · 10 min · Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Exit 5 Toward West Yonkers Avenue Use the slight right lane.
13

Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Yonkers Avenue
14

Continue on Nepperhan Avenue

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Nepperhan Avenue
15

Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A

229 ft · 5 sec · South Broadway
Use the left lane.
16

Arrive at destination

US 9; NY 9A

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 176.6-mile drive, consider leaving Saratoga Springs in the morning to avoid potential midday congestion. With a driving time of around 3.5 hours, you likely won't need extensive stops, but you can easily break it up if desired. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without services is over 100 miles on I 87. Your estimated fuel cost is around $29, so plan accordingly before you depart.

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 88.3 miles from Saratoga Springs, NY, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 39 miles or 50m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 88.3 miles or 1h 47m 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 52m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Saratoga Springs, 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 Saratoga Springs, NY

This is one driving day of about 176.6 miles and 3h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Saratoga Springs, 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 I 87 for about 118.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Orange County, New York, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Montgomery, NY

88 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

Albany, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Zena, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 88.3 miles from Saratoga Springs, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.6 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 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 28.5 and 176.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
28.5 mi into trip | ~37m in | I 87

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 1E-W Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
7
29.3 mi into trip | ~39m in | I 87

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South: New York

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 87 South: New York
7
167.1 mi into trip | ~3h 21m in

Take the exit toward Saw Mill River Parkway South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 7A Toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
7
175.3 mi into trip | ~3h 32m in

Take the exit toward West Yonkers Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 5 Toward West Yonkers Avenue
7
176.6 mi into trip | ~3h 34m in | US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway

Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.70 one way

$57.40 round trip

$4.13/gal 25.4 MPG avg 62 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.47 $31.06 $62.13
premium $4.87 $33.83 $67.66
diesel $5.40 $37.57 $75.13

Estimated Tolls: $1.00

New York State Thruway (20 mi) $1.00

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

$29

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53 0 $18.54 $8.48
Efficient EV 44.2 0 $15.45 $7.06
EV Truck/SUV 70.6 0 $24.72 $11.30

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 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 24, 2026

Origin

Saratoga Springs, NY

Late night in Saratoga Springs on Sunday

Local time

4:11 AM

EDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Yonkers, NY

Late night in Yonkers on Sunday

Local time

4:11 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

43°F

Montgomery, NY

88 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

11 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

3h 34m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is mostly highway, with 72% of the drive on major roads like I 87 and the New York State Thruway. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 118.6 miles on I 87 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a steady flow of traffic and numerous exits as you approach your destination.

72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.6 mi on I 87.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 87 and Adirondack Northway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.5 miles in near I 87.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 176.6 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 28.5 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.3 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

Between Saratoga Springs, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo and Saw Mill River Parkway South.

Albany

28.5 mi in | ~37m | via I 87

New York

28.5 mi in | ~37m | via I 87

Buffalo

28.5 mi in | ~37m | via I 87

Saw Mill River Parkway South

167.1 mi in | ~3h 21m

About the Cities

Starting in Saratoga Springs, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1776

Saratoga Springs is just south of the Adirondacks in upstate New York. Long a vacation destination for New Yorkers, Saratoga Springs is a pleasant town filled with swanky shops, spas and horse racing. A key battle in the Revolutionary War happened nearby. The city is also home to Skidmore College and Empire State College (SUNY).

Top landmarks

  • National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame — non-profit organization in the USA
  • Yaddo — estate, artist colony, and non-profit organization in the USA
  • United States Post Office — government building in Saratoga Springs, New York

Arriving in Yonkers, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1646

Yonkers is a city of 211,569 people (2020) in Westchester County. The third most populous city in New York state, Yonkers is a suburb of New York City and borders the Borough of the Bronx. Yonkers is known as the "City of Seven Hills," which are Park, Nodine, Ridge, Cross, Locust, Glen, and Church hills.

Top landmarks

  • Untermyer Park — public garden
  • Hudson River Museum — museum in Yonkers, N.Y.
  • Glenview Mansion — historic house in 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 34m. Total distance: 176.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 118.6 miles on I 87. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.00 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 Yonkers, 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 28.5 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.3 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Yonkers, 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 FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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