Syracuse, NY to Graniteville, NY is 244.8 miles and takes about 5h 5m via I 81 and Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily traversing New York state. It's a straightforward drive that's well-suited for a single-day excursion, offering a practical way to get from point A to point B. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for an efficient transit.
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
122.4 miles from Syracuse, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
127.9 mi
2h 31m
Keystone Shortway
46.1 mi
59m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
NJ 24
9.3 mi
10m
Route 10 East
9.2 mi
11m
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
4.6 mi
5m
I 84
3.7 mi
4m
NJ 10
3.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 127.9 mi, about 2h 31m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,553 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,185
Quietest
midnight
~450 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 46 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 Syracuse, NY and Graniteville, NY.
1
Start on US 11
10 ft·5 sec·South State Street
2
Turn left onto NY 92
0.3 mi·31 sec·East Genesee Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto Almond Street
0.3 mi·28 sec·Almond Street
4
Turn slight right
296 ft·5 sec
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 81 South
6
Merge onto I 81
2.0 mi·2 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I-81
0.8 mi·48 sec·I-81
8
Continue on I 81
73 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
14
Merge onto I 80
46 mi·59 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 28Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake HopatcongUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on CR 631
0.2 mi·12 sec·Ledgewood Road
17
Continue on US 46
0.9 mi·1 min·US 46
18
Continue on US 46
213 ft·4 sec·US 46
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
19
Turn straight onto NJ 10
9.2 mi·11 min·Route 10 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on NJ 10
3.5 mi·4 min·NJ 10
Use the right lane.
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 287 South: Morristown, Morristown Airport
22
Merge onto I 287
0.8 mi·1 min·I 287
23
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 37Toward NJ 24 East: SpringfieldUse the slight right lane.
24
Continue on NJ 24
9.3 mi·10 min·NJ 24
Use the straight lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 78 East Local: NewarkUse the slight right lane.
27
Merge onto I 78
4.6 mi·5 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 54Toward Hillside, IrvingtonUse the slight right lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·29 sec
Toward HillsideUse the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on Winans Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·Winans Avenue
31
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
32
Turn left onto CR 628
0.3 mi·37 sec·Hillside Avenue
33
Continue on CR 628
0.4 mi·45 sec·Hillside Avenue
34
At end of road, turn right onto CR 623
2.1 mi·4 min·North Broad Street
35
Continue on CR 623
1.4 mi·3 min·Broad Street
36
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.3 mi·43 sec·Bayway
37
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.1 mi·11 sec·Brunswick Avenue
Use the left lane.
38
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 278 Toll East: Goethals Bridge
39
Merge onto I 278
1.3 mi·2 min·Goethals Bridge
40
Continue on I 278
0.4 mi·37 sec·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Take the exit
149 ft·3 sec
Exit 4Toward Forest Avenue, Gulf AvenueUse the slight right lane.
42
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·33 sec
Use the slight left lane.
43
Turn straight onto Forest Avenue
1.6 mi·3 min·Forest Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
44
Turn right
74 ft·5 sec
45
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Syracuse in the morning to take full advantage of the daylight for the 5-hour drive. With a single day recommended, you can complete this trip without needing an overnight stay. Plan for one stop to break up the 244.8 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $40, and it's always wise to top off before leaving a major town. The longest stretch without a significant break is 127.9 miles on I 81, so consider timing your stop before or after this segment.
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 122.4 miles from Syracuse, NY, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.9 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 54 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.4 miles or 2h 25m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Graniteville, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Syracuse, 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 Syracuse, NY
This is one driving day of about 244.8 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Syracuse, 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 81 for about 127.9 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 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 129.5 and 243 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
129.5 mi into trip|~2h 34m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
204.7 mi into trip|~4h 6m in
Take the exit toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake Hopatcong
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 28
Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake Hopatcong
8
235.4 mi into trip|~4h 44m in
Take the exit toward Hillside, Irvington
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 54
Toward Hillside, Irvington
8
235.5 mi into trip|~4h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hillside
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Hillside
8
243 mi into trip|~5h 1m in
Take the exit toward Forest Avenue, Gulf Avenue
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 Forest Avenue, Gulf Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.78 one way
$79.57 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$43.06
$86.12
premium
$4.87
$46.90
$93.80
diesel
$5.40
$52.07
$104.15
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Goethals Bridge
$16.00
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
$40
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.4
0
$25.70
$11.75
Efficient EV
61.2
0
$21.42
$9.79
EV Truck/SUV
97.9
1
$34.27
$15.67
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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 25, 2026
Origin
Syracuse, NY
Evening
in Syracuse on Saturday
Local time
7:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Rain Showers
E 7 mph81% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 12:05AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Graniteville, NY
Evening
in Graniteville on Saturday
Local time
7:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Rain Showers
E 8 to 13 mph90% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 12:05AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
2 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 5m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 76% of the 244.8 miles on major roads. You'll encounter a continuous stretch of 127.9 miles on I 81. After that, expect the highway to transition to surface roads as you approach your destination. The frequent exits along I 81 mean you'll be navigating through many interchanges.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.9 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 129.5 miles in near US 6.
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 31 significant decision points across 244.8 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 129.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 235.4 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 Syracuse, NY and Graniteville, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Lake Hopatcong, Morristown Airport, New York City and Newark.
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 5h 5m. Total distance: 244.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 127.9 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.00 in tolls one way, starting with Goethals Bridge. 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 — we found about 21 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Graniteville, 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. There are 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 129.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 235.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Graniteville, NY before the return drive.
