Scotia to Syracuse is 127 miles and takes about 2 hours 33 minutes via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a drive that leans towards local roads with some highway cruising mixed in. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 113.9 miles on the Thruway, it's a manageable journey for a single day. You'll find this route offers a practical way to travel between these two New York locations.
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
63.5 miles from Scotia, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
113.9 mi
2h 11m
I 690
4.1 mi
5m
I 481
2.3 mi
2m
Amsterdam Road
1.7 mi
2m
Mohawk Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
NY 890
0.5 mi
<1m
South State Street
0.2 mi
<1m
North Townsend Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 113.9 mi, about 2h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scotia, NY and Syracuse, NY.
1
Start on South Ten Broeck Street
37 ft·9 sec·South Ten Broeck Street
2
Turn left onto NY 5
1.2 mi·2 min·Mohawk Avenue
3
Continue on NY 5
1.7 mi·2 min·Amsterdam Road
4
Turn left onto NY 890
0.5 mi·41 sec·NY 890
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·53 sec
Toward I 90
6
Turn straight
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 90 West
7
Merge onto I 90
114 mi·2 hr 11 min·New York State Thruway
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 34AToward I 481: Syracuse, OswegoUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 481 South: Syracuse, Fairgrounds, Binghamton
10
Merge onto I 481
2.3 mi·2 min·I 481
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 690 West: Syracuse, FairgroundsUse the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on I 690
4.1 mi·5 min·I 690
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·41 sec
Exit 13Toward Townsend Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto North Townsend Street
501 ft·16 sec·North Townsend Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto East Water Street
479 ft·16 sec·East Water Street
16
Turn left onto US 11
0.2 mi·20 sec·South State Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 33 minute duration and 127-mile distance, this is a trip best suited for a single day. You could depart anytime in the morning and still have ample time to reach Syracuse before evening. Plan for your single recommended stop strategically, perhaps midway or when you feel the need for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $21 budget suggests a moderate consumption. The 'turn-heavy' nature means paying attention to navigation, especially as you transition off the main highway sections.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.5 miles from Scotia, NY, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.9 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 28 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.5 miles or 1h 16m 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 3m
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 Scotia, 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 Scotia, NY
This is one driving day of about 127 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Scotia, 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 113.9 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 118.1 and 126.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
118.1 mi into trip|~2h 19m 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
121.6 mi into trip|~2h 24m 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
126.4 mi into trip|~2h 31m 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
126.6 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|North Townsend Street
Turn left onto North Townsend Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
126.8 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|US 11 / South State Street
Turn left onto US 11 / South State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.91 one way
$41.81 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$22.61
$45.21
premium
$4.92
$24.62
$49.23
diesel
$5.61
$28.04
$56.08
Estimated Tolls: $5.69
New York State Thruway
(113.9 mi)$5.69
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
$21
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.1
0
$13.33
$6.10
Efficient EV
31.8
0
$11.11
$5.08
EV Truck/SUV
50.8
0
$17.78
$8.13
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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 20, 2026
Origin
Scotia, NY
Morning
in Scotia on Tuesday
Local time
6:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Morning
in Syracuse on Tuesday
Local time
6:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
4 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
2h 33m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 87.6
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...
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 127
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 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, with only 5% of the route on highways. While a significant portion, 113.9 miles, is spent on the New York State Thruway, the overall character suggests frequent changes in road type. You'll likely experience a mix of faster highway travel transitioning into more winding local roads as you approach your destination. Be prepared for a varied driving experience rather than a straight, uninterrupted interstate cruise.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.9 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 118.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
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 127 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 118.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.4 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.
Between Scotia, NY and Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Oswego, Fairgrounds and Binghamton.
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 2h 33m. Total distance: 127 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.9 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.69 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.
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 118.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Stanwix National Monument, Saratoga National Historical Park and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Syracuse, NY before heading back.
