Scarsdale to Amherst is 368.1 miles and takes about 7h 46m via New York State Thruway, Long Mountain Parkway, and I-81, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New York, taking you from the Northeast region toward the western part of the state. It's a primarily highway route that can be completed comfortably in a single day. Expect a mix of driving conditions as you navigate the state. This trip is a straightforward way to cover a significant distance within New York.
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
184.1 miles from Scarsdale, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
108.4 mi
2h 7m
Long Mountain Parkway
107.6 mi
2h 15m
I 81
39.3 mi
46m
NY 17
33.7 mi
40m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
14.9 mi
17m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
Chase Street
9.8 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 108.4 mi, about 2h 7m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,020 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~94 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 3 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 Scarsdale, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on NY 22
1.2 mi·2 min·Post Road
2
Continue on NY 22
0.6 mi·1 min·West Post Road
3
Turn left onto Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
0.4 mi·59 sec·Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Turn left onto NY 119
0.3 mi·35 sec·Hamilton Avenue
5
Continue on NY 119
0.8 mi·1 min·Tarrytown Road
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
317 ft·7 sec
Toward I 287
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 287 West: Governor Mario M. Cuomo BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 287
2.9 mi·3 min·Cross Westchester Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 87; I 287
8.9 mi·11 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 13NToward Palisades Parkway North, Bear MountainUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 18Toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State Thruway
13
Enter roundabout onto US 6
375 ft·5 sec·Long Mountain Parkway
14
Continue on US 6
108 mi·2 hr 14 min·Long Mountain Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on NY 17
34 mi·40 min·NY 17
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
19
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
20
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
21
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
22
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
23
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
24
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
25
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
26
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
27
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
28
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
29
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
30
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
31
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
32
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
33
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
34
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
35
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
36
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
37
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
38
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
39
Merge onto I 90
100 mi·1 hr 55 min·New York State Thruway
40
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on I 290
1.8 mi·2 min·Youngmann Expressway
42
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Turn left onto NY 324
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
44
Turn left onto NY 263
469 ft·13 sec·Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
45
Arrive at destination
NY 263
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 46m estimated drive time, leaving Scarsdale in the morning is your best bet to make it to Amherst before dark. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 368.1 miles into manageable segments. The longest stretch is over 100 miles on the New York State Thruway, so plan your first stop after that segment to refresh. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $66, so factor that into your budget and locate stations along the New York State Thruway and I-81. You should have ample time for your two stops and still arrive before evening.
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 184.1 miles from Scarsdale, NY, or about 3h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.4 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 81 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184.1 miles or 3h 51m 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 35m
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 Scarsdale, 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 Scarsdale, NY
This is one driving day of about 368.1 miles and 7h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Scarsdale, 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 New York State Thruway for about 108.4 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 366.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.4 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 287 West: Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 287 West: Governor Mario M. Cuomo Brid...
8
15.7 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain
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 13N
Toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain
7
264.4 mi into trip|~5h 44m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
264.6 mi into trip|~5h 44m 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
8
366.9 mi into trip|~7h 44m 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
$59.55 one way
$119.10 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$64.62
$129.24
premium
$4.85
$70.26
$140.52
diesel
$4.80
$69.50
$139.01
Estimated Tolls: $5.42
New York State Thruway
(108.4 mi)$5.42
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
$60
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.4
1
$38.65
$17.67
Efficient EV
92
1
$32.21
$14.72
EV Truck/SUV
147.2
1
$51.53
$23.56
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (67% 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
Scarsdale, NY
Late night
in Scarsdale on Monday
Local time
3:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Smoke
NW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Amherst, NY
Late night
in Amherst on Monday
Local time
3:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Smoke
NE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
81°F
Hamilton, NY
184 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
4 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 46m 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.
Women's Rights National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 266.6
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 253.9
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 57% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster-paced roads. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 108.4 miles on the New York State Thruway. You'll transition from highway driving to surface roads at some point, so be prepared for varying speed limits and traffic patterns. The overall profile is a mix of highway and surface roads, indicating a blend of efficient travel and more local cruising.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.4 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 3.4 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 30 significant decision points across 368.1 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 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 264.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,418 ft218 ft
Total Climb
1,860 ft
Total Descent
1,481 ft
Highest Point
1,418 ft
~111 mi in
Elevation Range
1,200 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Scarsdale, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward New York State Thruway and Albany.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 46m. Total distance: 368.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 46m 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 108.4 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.42 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.
Yes — we found about 25 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 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. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 264.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Women's Rights National Historical Park, Harriet Tubman National Historical Park and Hamilton Grange 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 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 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.
