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Trip from Sullivan, NY to Amherst, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 17m

Distance

159.6 mi

257 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 6m ★
6 AM
3h 18m
8 AM
3h 41m
10 AM
3h 26m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 27m
5 PM
3h 40m
8 PM
3h 10m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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human settlement in Madison County, New York, United States of America

Sullivan, NY

Wikimedia Commons

town in New York, United States

Amherst, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 169.4-mile drive from Sullivan, NY to Amherst, NY is a straightforward, one-day adventure, clocking in at about 2 hours and 37 minutes. You'll primarily navigate State Route 5, East Genesee Street, and Tuscarora Road, making it a predominantly local road experience with no highway driving. The estimated fuel cost is a modest $28, and with only one recommended stop, it's an efficient trip. This route is perfect for a single-day excursion, allowing you ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed. Given its manageable length and local road focus, it offers a relaxed pace for your journey within New York.

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

79.8 miles from Sullivan, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 130.3 mi 2h 30m
I 690 11.6 mi 14m
Green Lakes Road 4.1 mi 5m
Manlius Center Road 3.6 mi 6m
Tuscarora Road 2.2 mi 5m
Youngmann Expressway 1.8 mi 2m
East Genesee Street 0.9 mi 1m
Sheridan Drive 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 130.3 mi, about 2h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sullivan, NY and Amherst, NY.

1

Start on Canaseraga Road

63 ft · 3 sec · Canaseraga Road
2

Turn right onto NY 5; NY 13

355 ft · 5 sec · State Route 5
3

Continue on NY 5; NY 13

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Genesee Street
4

Continue on Tuscarora Road

2.2 mi · 5 min · Tuscarora Road
5

At end of road, turn right onto NY 5

0.3 mi · 24 sec · State Route 5
6

Continue on NY 5

0.8 mi · 1 min · Genesee Turnpike
7

Turn right onto NY 290

4.1 mi · 5 min · Green Lakes Road
8

Turn right onto NY 290

3.6 mi · 6 min · Manlius Center Road
Use the straight lane.
9

Continue on Bridge Street

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Bridge Street
Use the straight lane.
10

Take the ramp

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 690 West: Syracuse
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Use the straight lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 690 West: Syracuse
13

Merge onto I 690

12 mi · 14 min · I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

344 ft · 8 sec
Exit 1 Toward I 90 Use the slight right lane.
15

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 29 sec · this road
Exit 1 Toward I 90
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 90
17

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 18 sec · this road
18

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo Use the slight right lane.
19

Merge onto I 90

130 mi · 2 hr 30 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight lane.
20

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 36 sec
Exit 50 Toward I 290: Niagara Falls Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Continue on I 290

1.8 mi · 2 min · Youngmann Expressway
22

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 6 Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Turn left onto NY 324

0.9 mi · 1 min · Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
24

Turn left onto NY 263

469 ft · 13 sec · Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
25

Arrive at destination

NY 263

Trip Plan

With a duration of under three hours, this route from Sullivan to Amherst is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of time to arrive and settle in. Plan for one stop to break up the 169.4 miles and manage your fuel needs; the estimated cost is around $28. Since it's a turn-heavy local drive, stay alert and pay close attention to your navigation, especially when following State Route 5, East Genesee Street, and Tuscarora Road. Flexibility is your advantage here, so enjoy the local scenery as you make your way.

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 79.8 miles from Sullivan, NY, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130.3 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 35 miles or 51m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 79.8 miles or 1h 43m 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 42m

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 Sullivan, 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 Sullivan, NY

This is one driving day of about 159.6 miles and 3h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Sullivan, 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 130.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

village in Cayuga County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Weedsport, NY

80 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

Marcellus, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Thompson, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 79.8 miles from Sullivan, 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 130.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Flying J EV Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Pembroke, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15855994430

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0 mi from route

Clarence, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Batavia, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

SWTCH Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Batavia, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18447982438

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Batavia, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

All Things Oz Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Chittenango, New York

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13156877772

Visit website

Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Chittenango, New York

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13156873801

Visit website

Lights on the Lake

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Liverpool, New York

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13154536712

Visit website

Skä•noñh Great Law of Peace Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Liverpool, New York

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13154536767

Visit website

Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 10:30 am–2:30 pm

+17168563858

Visit website

Billy Wilson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Williamsville, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+17166317132

Visit website

The Buffalo Zoo

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17168373900

Visit website

Delaware Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17168381249

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 12.9 and 158.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
12.9 mi into trip | ~23m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
25 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the exit toward I 90

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 1 Toward I 90
8
25.8 mi into trip | ~40m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 West: Buffalo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
7
156.2 mi into trip | ~3h 11m in

Take the exit toward I 290: Niagara Falls

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 50 Toward I 290: Niagara Falls
8
158.4 mi into trip | ~3h 15m 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

$25.94 one way

$51.88 round trip

$4.13/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.47 $28.07 $56.15
premium $4.87 $30.58 $61.15
diesel $5.61 $35.24 $70.48

Estimated Tolls: $6.57

New York State Thruway (130.3 mi) $6.51
Genesee Turnpike (0.8 mi) $0.06

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

$26

Tolls

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 55.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.9 0 $16.76 $7.66
Efficient EV 39.9 0 $13.96 $6.38
EV Truck/SUV 63.8 0 $22.34 $10.21

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 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 19, 2026

Origin

Sullivan, NY

Afternoon in Sullivan on Tuesday

Local time

2:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Amherst, NY

Afternoon in Amherst on Tuesday

Local time

2:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 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.

Women's Rights National Historical Park

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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 55
View on nps.gov
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

9 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 44
View on nps.gov
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...

22 mi from route ~56 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 turn-heavy local drive on this route, as indicated by its 0% highway share. You'll be navigating a series of local roads, including State Route 5, East Genesee Street, and Tuscarora Road. The absence of long highway stretches means you'll be more engaged with the driving, experiencing a constant flow of turns and varying road conditions typical of local routes. While there isn't a 'longest stretch' specified, the profile suggests a drive where frequent adjustments are part of the experience, rather than long periods of cruising.

Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 130.3 mi on New York State Thruway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 12.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 17 significant decision points across 159.6 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 12.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in Amherst, NY

Full guide →

Amherst is a town in the Northtowns of Erie County, New York.

Top landmarks

  • • Entranceway at Main Street at Roycroft Boulevard — residential landscape feature in Amherst, New York state, USA
  • • Entranceways at Main Street at Lamarck Drive and Smallwood Drive — residential landscape feature in Amherst, New York state, USA

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 3h 17m. Total distance: 159.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 130.3 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $6.57 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 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 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 12.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Women's Rights National Historical Park, Harriet Tubman National Historical Park and Fort Stanwix National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Amherst, 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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