If you are planning to head north from Suffern to Albany, you are looking at a 115.2-mile trek through the heart of New York. This journey typically takes about 2 hours and 17 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You will primarily navigate the New York State Thruway, with some time spent on I-787 and Orange Turnpike. Budgeting around $19 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire distance. Since you are traveling within the Northeast region, the transition is straightforward and consistent, allowing you to reach the state capital without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.6 miles from Suffern, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
110 mi
2h 6m
I 787
1.6 mi
2m
Orange Turnpike
1.2 mi
1m
Orange Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Lafayette Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
State Street
0.3 mi
<1m
NY 5
0.2 mi
<1m
Quay Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 110 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Suffern, NY and Albany, NY.
1
Start on Washington Avenue
40 ft·8 sec·Washington Avenue
2
Continue on Washington Avenue
114 ft·12 sec·Washington Avenue
3
Turn sharp left onto NY 59
0.3 mi·30 sec·Lafayette Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 202; 59
0.5 mi·42 sec·Orange Avenue
5
Continue on NY 59
1.2 mi·1 min·Orange Turnpike
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 87 North: New York State Thruway
7
Merge onto I 87
110 mi·2 hr 6 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 23Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, TroyUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on I 787
1.6 mi·2 min·I 787
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 4Toward US 9 North, US 20 West: Downtown AlbanyUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto Quay Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·Quay Street
12
Turn left onto NY 5
0.2 mi·42 sec·NY 5
13
Turn left onto NY 5
0.3 mi·51 sec·State Street
14
At end of road, turn right onto NY 5
182 ft·5 sec·Eagle Street
15
Turn straight onto NY 5
498 ft·19 sec·Washington Avenue
16
Turn left
30 ft·2 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the trip in one sitting without needing scheduled stops, though you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge to ensure you stay within your $19 budget. Because the route relies so heavily on the New York State Thruway, stay alert for potential traffic fluctuations that could impact your 2-hour and 17-minute travel time. If you prefer a smoother experience, try to avoid peak commuting hours to keep the transition between the local roads and the main highway as seamless as possible. Taking the drive in one go is generally the most efficient strategy for this distance.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.6 miles from Suffern, NY, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110 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 25 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.6 miles or 1h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Suffern, 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 Suffern, NY
This is one driving day of about 115.2 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Suffern, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 110 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 115 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|NY 59 / Lafayette Avenue
Turn sharp left onto NY 59 / Lafayette Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
2.2 mi into trip|~3m in|I 87 / New York State Thruway
Merge onto I 87 / New York State Thruway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
112.2 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy
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 23
Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy
8
114.1 mi into trip|~2h 13m in
Take the exit toward US 9 North, US 20 West: Downtown Albany
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 4
Toward US 9 North, US 20 West: Downtown Albany
6
115 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|NY 5 / Eagle Street
At end of road, turn right onto NY 5 / Eagle Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.96 one way
$37.93 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$20.50
$41.01
premium
$4.92
$22.33
$44.66
diesel
$5.61
$25.43
$50.87
Estimated Tolls: $5.59
New York State Thruway
(110 mi)$5.50
Orange Turnpike
(1.2 mi)$0.09
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
$19
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.6
0
$12.10
$5.53
Efficient EV
28.8
0
$10.08
$4.61
EV Truck/SUV
46.1
0
$16.13
$7.37
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Suffern, NY
Late night
in Suffern on Sunday
Local time
3:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Albany, NY
Late night
in Albany on Sunday
Local time
3:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
34°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 17m 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.
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 115.2
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...
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by a mix of high-speed transit and local navigation. You will spend the vast majority of your time—roughly 110 miles—cruising along the New York State Thruway, which offers a steady pace for the bulk of the journey. In contrast, the remaining portions involve turn-heavy local driving that requires more focus than a standard interstate cruise. With only 3% of the trip consisting of major highway segments outside of the main Thruway stretch, you will experience a distinct shift as you move from local turnpikes onto the primary corridor. It is a functional drive that balances long, uninterrupted stretches with more engaged, technical steering.
Only 3% 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: 110 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near NY 59 / Lafayette Avenue.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 17m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (NY 59 / Lafayette Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2.2 miles (I 87 / New York State Thruway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Albany is the capital of New York. Albany is an interesting showcase of several centuries' worth of architectural styles, including the modernistic Empire State Plaza.
Top landmarks
•New York State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of New York
•Fort Orange — fort in New Netherland (now Albany, New York)
•Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — historic cathedral in Albany, New York, United States
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.59 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, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (NY 59 / Lafayette Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2.2 miles (I 87 / New York State Thruway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Saratoga National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). 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 Albany, NY before heading back.
