Syracuse, NY to Malta, NY is 136.7 miles and takes about 2h 55m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a local drive with frequent turns, making it a good option for a single-day excursion. The relatively short distance and manageable duration mean you won't spend your entire day on the road, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. Consider this route if you prefer a more involved driving experience over long, straight highway stretches.
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
68.4 miles from Syracuse, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
104.8 mi
2h
Amsterdam Road
12.6 mi
17m
State Highway 67
7.6 mi
12m
I 690
2.4 mi
3m
Thompson Road
2.1 mi
3m
Church Street
1.5 mi
4m
NY 30
1 mi
1m
Ballston Avenue
0.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 104.8 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Syracuse, NY and Malta, 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
105 mi·2 hr·New York State Thruway
14
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 27Toward NY 30: AmsterdamUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on this road
367 ft·12 sec·this road
16
Turn right onto NY 30
1.0 mi·1 min·NY 30
17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 67
1.5 mi·4 min·Church Street
18
Continue on NY 67
4.5 mi·7 min·State Highway 67
19
Continue on NY 67
13 mi·17 min·Amsterdam Road
20
Continue on NY 67
0.4 mi·48 sec·West High Street
21
Turn right onto Ballston Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Ballston Avenue
22
Continue on NY 67
3.1 mi·5 min·State Highway 67
23
Enter roundabout onto NY 67
115 ft·1 sec·Dunning Street
24
Continue on NY 67
0.2 mi·22 sec·Dunning Street
25
Enter roundabout onto NY 67
121 ft·2 sec·Dunning Street
26
Continue on NY 67
0.1 mi·14 sec·Dunning Street
27
Enter roundabout onto NY 67
114 ft·1 sec·Dunning Street
28
Continue on NY 67
0.1 mi·16 sec·Dunning Street
29
Enter roundabout onto NY 67
121 ft·2 sec·Dunning Street
30
Continue on NY 67
0.2 mi·32 sec·Dunning Street
31
Enter roundabout
177 ft·2 sec
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 55m duration and 136.7-mile distance, this is easily a same-day trip. Aim to depart Syracuse in the morning to make the most of your day in Malta. With only one stop recommended, you have plenty of flexibility to decide when and where to pull over. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $23 and finding stations can be more spread out on local roads. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage for State Highway 67, as it can be a winding road that requires your full attention.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.4 miles from Syracuse, NY, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.8 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 30 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.4 miles or 1h 23m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Malta, 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 136.7 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 104.8 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 0.8 and 111.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
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...
6
3.6 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 635 North: Thompson Road North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward NY 635 North: Thompson Road North
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
7
111.2 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward NY 30: Amsterdam
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 27
Toward NY 30: Amsterdam
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.50 one way
$45.00 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$24.33
$48.66
premium
$4.92
$26.50
$52.99
diesel
$5.61
$30.18
$60.36
Estimated Tolls: $5.24
New York State Thruway
(104.8 mi)$5.24
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
$23
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41
0
$14.35
$6.56
Efficient EV
34.2
0
$11.96
$5.47
EV Truck/SUV
54.7
0
$19.14
$8.75
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Syracuse, NY
Late night
in Syracuse on Sunday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Malta, NY
Late night
in Malta on Sunday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
8 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 55m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 37.7
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 136.7
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 route presents a turn-heavy local drive, with only about 8% of the journey on highways. You'll navigate through a mix of local roads, including Amsterdam Road and State Highway 67, which means you'll be interacting with traffic signals and intersections more frequently. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 104.8 miles on the New York State Thruway, offering a period of more consistent speed before you transition back to more localized driving. Be prepared for a dynamic experience behind the wheel, as the road conditions and pace change throughout the 2h 55m trip.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.8 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 136.7 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 0.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 2h 55m. Total distance: 136.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.8 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.24 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.
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 Malta, 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 0.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Malta, NY before heading back.
