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Trip from Scarsdale, NY to Utica, NY

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

Drive Time

4h 34m

Distance

230.3 mi

371 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 21m ★
6 AM
4h 34m
8 AM
5h 1m
10 AM
4h 44m
12 PM
4h 41m
3 PM
4h 45m
5 PM
5h 0m
8 PM
4h 26m

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

town and village in Westchester County, New York, United States, suburb of NYC

Scarsdale, NY

Wikimedia Commons

city in Oneida County, New York, United States

Utica, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 230.3-mile drive from Scarsdale, NY, to Utica, NY, is best tackled as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 34 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the New York State Thruway, with initial segments on the Cross Westchester Expressway and Post Road. With a projected fuel cost of around $38, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Northeast region. While it's a manageable distance for one day, planning for one stop is recommended to break up the drive. The overall feel is practical, moving you efficiently from one New York locale to another.

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

115.2 miles from Scarsdale, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 220.8 mi 4h 17m
Cross Westchester Expressway 2.9 mi 3m
Post Road 1.2 mi 2m
North Genesee Street 1 mi 1m
Tarrytown Road 0.8 mi 1m
West Post Road 0.6 mi 1m
Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard 0.4 mi <1m
Hamilton Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 220.8 mi, about 4h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Scarsdale, NY and Utica, 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 Bridge Use 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

18 mi · 23 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 87

118 mi · 2 hr 15 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

85 mi · 1 hr 38 min · New York State Thruway
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
12

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 790, NY 8, NY 12: Utica Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
14

Keep slight right at fork

159 ft · 3 sec
15

Turn slight right onto North Genesee Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Genesee Street
16

Continue on Genesee Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Genesee Street
17

Turn right onto Washington Lane

63 ft · 2 sec · Washington Lane
18

Arrive at destination

Washington Lane

Trip Plan

For this 4.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning will allow you to reach Utica with plenty of daylight remaining. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility in pacing your one recommended stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the 220.8-mile stretch on the Thruway, as services can be spaced out. A practical tip is to ensure your E-ZPass or toll payment method is readily accessible, as you'll be using the New York State Thruway extensively.

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 115.2 miles from Scarsdale, NY, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 220.8 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 51 miles or 1h 5m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 115.2 miles or 2h 19m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 44m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Utica, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Scarsdale, NY

This is one driving day of about 230.3 miles and 4h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Scarsdale, 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 New York State Thruway for about 220.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in New York

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Esopus, NY

115 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Stockport, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 115.2 miles from Scarsdale, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 220.8 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

Blue Ribbon Restaurant & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Schenectady, New York

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 148.1

Hours: 7 am–9:30 pm

+15183932600

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Bites Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Spring Valley, New York

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 16.5

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18454405055

Visit website

Blue Ribbon Restaurant & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 148.1

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 7 am–9:30 pm

+15183932600

Visit website

Primavera Cafe & Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately mile 16.5

Monsey, New York

Hours: Closed

+18452019000

Visit website

Caribe Spanish Restaurant & Sports Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour Moderately mile 148.1

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15182806277

Visit website

Bellevue Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 148.1

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15183937720

Visit website

Yoffee Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 16.5

Airmont, New York

Hours: 8 am–12:30 pm

+18453563100

Visit website

Canali's Italian & American Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 148.1

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 4–9 pm

+15183555323

Visit website

Bites Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 16.5

Spring Valley, New York

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18454405055

Visit website

Mandy Bean Specialty Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Yonkers, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+19149991010

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 164.5

Pattersonville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 230.3

Utica, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 213.9

Herkimer, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 148.1

Schenectady, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15183551287

EVlink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 230.3

Utica, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887174544

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 230.3

Utica, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 148.1

Altamont, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 230.3

Yorkville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

The Stanley Theatre

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 230.3

Utica, New York

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+13157244000

Visit website

Utica Zoo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 230.3

Utica, New York

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+13157380472

Visit website

Utica Children's Museum

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 230.3

Utica, New York

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+13158087529

Visit website

Tawasentha Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 148.1

Altamont, New York

Hours: 7 am–8:30 pm

+15184563150

Visit website

The Family Fun Factory

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 230.3

New Hartford, New York

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13158648044

Visit website

Bannerman Castle

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 49.4

Beacon, New York

+18452372636

Visit website

Kensico Dam Plaza

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour

Valhalla, New York

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+19142314033

Visit website

Hudson River Islands State Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 115.2

Coxsackie, New York

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15187320187

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 227.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
1.8 mi into trip | ~3m in | Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard

Turn left onto Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
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...
5
3.9 mi into trip | ~8m in | I 287 / Cross Westchester Expressway

Merge onto I 287 / Cross Westchester Expressway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
25 mi into trip | ~35m in | I 87 / New York State Thruway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 87 / New York State Thruway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
227.7 mi into trip | ~4h 29m in

Take the exit toward I 790, NY 8, NY 12: Utica

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 790, NY 8, NY 12: Utica

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.91 one way

$75.82 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 81 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $40.99 $81.98
premium $4.92 $44.64 $89.27
diesel $5.61 $50.85 $101.69

Estimated Tolls: $11.04

New York State Thruway (220.8 mi) $11.04

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

$38

Tolls

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 80.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 69.1 0 $24.18 $11.05
Efficient EV 57.6 0 $20.15 $9.21
EV Truck/SUV 92.1 1 $32.24 $14.74

Gas CO2

81 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Scarsdale, NY

Late night in Scarsdale on Sunday

Local time

12:23 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Utica, NY

Late night in Utica on Sunday

Local time

12:23 AM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

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

4h 34m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Fort Stanwix National Monument

Fort Stanwix National Monument

National Monument

For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes. When Eur...

14 mi from route ~34 min detour Free near mile 230.3
View on nps.gov
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...

15 mi from route ~39 min detour Free
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...

16 mi from route ~41 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Saratoga National Historical Park

Saratoga National Historical Park

National Historical Park

In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...

22 mi from route ~56 min detour Free near mile 158.8
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...

22 mi from route ~55 min detour Free
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...

23 mi from route ~58 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 route with a "Turn-heavy local drive" profile, though the highway share is high at 100%. The majority of your travel will be on the New York State Thruway, offering a longest uninterrupted stretch of 220.8 miles. While the Thruway itself is a consistent highway experience, the initial and final portions might involve more local road navigation, contributing to the "turn-heavy" description. This suggests a drive that transitions from more urban or suburban access roads to the open highway and back.

Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 220.8 mi on New York State Thruway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 1.8 miles in near Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard.

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 230.3 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 1.8 miles (Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (I 287 / Cross Westchester Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Scarsdale, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1701

Scarsdale is a village in Westchester County, New York.

Top landmarks

  • Scarsdale station — commuter rail stop on the Metro-North Railroad's Harlem Line, located in Scarsda...

Arriving in Utica, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1734

Utica is the heart of the Mohawk Valley and the seat of Oneida County in Central New York State. Utica offers the charm of small-city living balanced with the cultural and ethnic diversity of an international urban center. At the foot of the Adirondack Mountains, Utica is a truly scenic city that offers the pleasures of both a rural and urban setting.

Top landmarks

  • Utica Memorial Auditorium — multi-purpose arena
  • Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute — arts center in Utica, New York
  • Union Station — railway station in Utica, 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 4h 34m. Total distance: 230.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 220.8 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $11.04 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 Utica, 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 1.8 miles (Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (I 287 / Cross Westchester Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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

Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Utica, 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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