Syracuse to Hudson is 178.8 miles and takes about 3h 36m via New York State Thruway and NY 9G, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads after an initial stretch on the New York State Thruway. It's a straightforward, relatively short drive, making it a good option for a single-day excursion.
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
89.4 miles from Syracuse, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
164.5 mi
3h 9m
NY 9G
2.8 mi
5m
I 690
2.4 mi
3m
Thompson Road
2.1 mi
3m
State Highway 23
1.7 mi
2m
Rip Van Winkle Bridge
1.3 mi
2m
East Water Street
0.6 mi
1m
CR 23B
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 164.5 mi, about 3h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Syracuse, NY and Hudson, NY.
1
Start on US 11
0.2 mi·22 sec·South State Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto East Water Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East Water Street
3
Turn left onto South Crouse Avenue
352 ft·13 sec·South Crouse Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
5
Merge onto I 690
2.4 mi·3 min·I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·10 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward NY 635 North: Bridge Street, East Syracuse, Thompson Road NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward NY 635 North: Thompson Road North
9
Turn straight onto NY 635
2.1 mi·3 min·Thompson Road
Use the left lane.
10
Enter roundabout
406 ft·6 sec
Toward I 90
11
Continue
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 90
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 90 East: AlbanyUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 90
130 mi·2 hr 29 min·New York State Thruway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway
35 mi·40 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, BostonUse the slight right lane.
Given that this is a single-day trip of under four hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Syracuse in the morning will get you to Hudson with plenty of daylight remaining. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, especially during the 164.5-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $32, and it’s always wise to fill up before heading into less populated areas. The transition from highway to surface roads around mile 14 might require adjusting your driving style.
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 89.4 miles from Syracuse, NY, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 164.5 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 39 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.4 miles or 1h 47m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hudson, 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 178.8 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 New York State Thruway for about 164.5 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 172.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
3.4 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 635 North: Bridge Street, East Syracuse, Thompson Road North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NY 635 North: Bridge Street, East Syracu...
7
6.1 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 90 East: Albany
8
136.2 mi into trip|~2h 41m in|New York State Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
7
171.8 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Catskill, Hudson, Tannersville, Hunter, Windham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Catskill, Hudson, Tannersville, Hunter,...
7
172.3 mi into trip|~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward NY 23 East: Hudson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward NY 23 East: Hudson
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.73 one way
$63.47 round trip
$4.51/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.85
$34.11
$68.23
premium
$5.24
$36.88
$73.76
diesel
$5.35
$37.66
$75.32
Estimated Tolls: $8.23
New York State Thruway
(164.5 mi)$8.23
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
$32
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.6
0
$18.77
$8.58
Efficient EV
44.7
0
$15.65
$7.15
EV Truck/SUV
71.5
0
$25.03
$11.44
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Syracuse, NY
Evening
in Syracuse on Wednesday
Local time
5:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Rain Showers Likely
W 1 to 9 mph57% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Hudson, NY
Evening
in Hudson on Wednesday
Local time
5:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Chance Rain Showers
N 2 mph37% chanceLive 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 36m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 123.3
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with about 12% on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 164.5 miles on the New York State Thruway, which offers a consistent cruising experience. After exiting the Thruway, the route transitions to surface roads, likely bringing more local traffic and varied speed limits. The presence of I 690 at the beginning suggests urban merging before you reach the open road.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 164.5 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 3.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 21 significant decision points across 178.8 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 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.2 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
584 ft86 ft
Total Climb
627 ft
Total Descent
941 ft
Highest Point
584 ft
~38.3 mi in
Elevation Range
498 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Syracuse, NY to Hudson, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Boston along the way.
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 3h 36m. Total distance: 178.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 164.5 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.23 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 — 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 Hudson, 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 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.2 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Hudson, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
