This 268-mile drive from Seneca Falls, NY, to Yonkers, NY, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 5 hours and 44 minutes. You'll spend about 82% of your time on highways, making it a focused driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $44, this route offers a straightforward journey across New York. The drive is primarily highway-focused, allowing you to cover ground efficiently. It's a practical option if you're looking to get from the Northeast region of New York to another part of the Northeast without extensive planning.
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
134 miles from Seneca Falls, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
129.9 mi
2h 40m
I 81
45.4 mi
54m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
15.1 mi
17m
New York State Thruway
10.2 mi
13m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 129.9 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 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 Seneca Falls, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on this road
106 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn right
60 ft·7 sec
3
Turn right
278 ft·27 sec
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.6 mi·39 sec·Cayuga Street
5
Continue on US 20; NY 5
4.4 mi·5 min·Auburn Road
6
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
8
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
9
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
10
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
11
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
12
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
13
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
14
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
15
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
16
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
17
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
18
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
20
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
130 mi·2 hr 40 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit onto US 6
7.1 mi·9 min·US 6
Exit 130AToward US 6: Bear Mountain
23
Enter roundabout
346 ft·4 sec
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
24
Continue
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
25
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 9EToward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, White Plains, New York State Thruway SouthUse the right lane.
27
Merge onto I 87; I 287
9.2 mi·12 min·New York State Thruway
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
1.0 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 7AToward Saw Mill River Parkway SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi·10 min·Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward West Yonkers AvenueUse the slight right lane.
32
Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Yonkers Avenue
33
Continue on Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi·57 sec·Nepperhan Avenue
34
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A
229 ft·5 sec·South Broadway
Use the left lane.
35
Arrive at destination
US 9; NY 9A
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 44-minute duration, this trip is comfortably manageable as a single-day drive. To make the most of your travel, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Yonkers. With only one recommended stop, you can be strategic about when and where you choose to refuel or stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 129 miles on I 86, so planning your stops ahead of time is key to a smooth journey.
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 134 miles from Seneca Falls, NY, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.9 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 59 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134 miles or 2h 56m 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 41m
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 Seneca Falls, 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 Seneca Falls, NY
This is one driving day of about 268 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Seneca Falls, 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 86 for about 129.9 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 95.1 and 268 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
95.1 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|I 86; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17 toward New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward New York
8
247.8 mi into trip|~5h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, White Plains, New York State Thruway South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 9E
Toward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, W...
7
258.5 mi into trip|~5h 31m 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
266.7 mi into trip|~5h 42m 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
268 mi into trip|~5h 44m 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
$43.56 one way
$87.11 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$47.14
$94.29
premium
$4.87
$51.34
$102.68
diesel
$5.40
$57.01
$114.02
Estimated Tolls: $0.51
New York State Thruway
(10.2 mi)$0.51
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
$44
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.4
0
$28.14
$12.86
Efficient EV
67
0
$23.45
$10.72
EV Truck/SUV
107.2
1
$37.52
$17.15
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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 24, 2026
Origin
Seneca Falls, NY
Night
in Seneca Falls on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Night
in Yonkers on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°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
9 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
5h 44m 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.
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...
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 18.5
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 268
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 268
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 268-mile trip, with 82% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll experience a significant stretch of 129.9 miles on I 86 without needing to exit, providing a consistent pace. The journey transitions through different highway systems, including I 86, I 81, and the Palisades Interstate Parkway, each offering a distinct driving feel. This route is built for covering distance efficiently, with minimal time spent on slower local roads.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.9 mi on I 86.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 95.1 miles in near I 86; NY 17.
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 23 significant decision points across 268 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 95.1 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 247.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 258.5 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 Seneca Falls, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward New York, Palisades Interstate Parkway South, White Plains and New York State Thruway South.
Seneca Falls is a town in the Finger Lakes region of New York state. The birthplace of the women's rights movement in the 19th century, Seneca Falls is also widely believed to be the inspiration for the town of Bedford Falls in Frank Capra's holiday classic, It's A Wonderful Life.
Top landmarks
•Wesleyan Methodist Church — church in Seneca Falls, Seneca County, New York, United States of America
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 44m. Total distance: 268 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.9 miles on I 86. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.51 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 95.1 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 247.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 258.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Yonkers, NY before the return drive.
