Syracuse to New Windsor is 205.5 miles and takes about 4 hours 18 minutes via I 86, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within New York, connecting the Northeast region from one point to another. It's a straightforward drive that makes for a simple, single-day trip. Expect to spend most of your time on major highways, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. You'll encounter minimal complexity, which is ideal if you're looking for a no-fuss drive.
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
102.8 miles from Syracuse, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
105.3 mi
2h 11m
I 81
74.5 mi
1h 28m
State Highway 17K
21.3 mi
30m
Quassaick Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
I-81
0.8 mi
<1m
Ward Street
0.7 mi
1m
South Robinson Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Almond Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 105.3 mi, about 2h 11m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,058 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,330
Quietest
2 AM
~95 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 34 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 New Windsor, 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 left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
105 mi·2 hr 11 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward New York
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 116Toward NY 17K: Bloomingburg, Montgomery
11
Turn left onto NY 17K
10 mi·14 min·State Highway 17K
12
Turn slight right onto NY 17K
243 ft·4 sec·Ward's Bridge
13
Continue on NY 17K
0.7 mi·1 min·Ward Street
14
Continue on NY 17K
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 17K
15
Turn right onto US 9W
0.7 mi·1 min·South Robinson Avenue
16
Continue on US 9W
0.3 mi·32 sec·Quassaick Avenue
17
Continue on NY 94
0.8 mi·1 min·Quassaick Avenue
18
Turn right onto CR 69
90 ft·2 sec·Union Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
CR 69
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 18 minute duration, leaving Syracuse in the morning should allow you to reach New Windsor with plenty of daylight to spare. The route's efficiency means you likely won't need more than one brief stop for fuel or a quick break. With only one recommended stop and a $38 fuel estimate, planning is straightforward. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the end of the 105.3-mile stretch on I 86, as this is your longest continuous segment before potential exit opportunities become more frequent on State Highway 17K.
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 102.8 miles from Syracuse, NY, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.3 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 45 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.8 miles or 2h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Windsor, 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 205.5 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 86 for about 105.3 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 181.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0 mi into trip|~0m in|NY 92 / East Genesee Street
Turn left onto NY 92 / East Genesee Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|Almond Street
Turn right onto Almond Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in|I 81
Merge onto I 81
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
76.1 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|I 86; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17 toward New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward New York
6
181.4 mi into trip|~3h 42m in
Take the exit toward NY 17K: Bloomingburg, Montgomery
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 116
Toward NY 17K: Bloomingburg, Montgomery
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.24 one way
$66.49 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$36.08
$72.15
premium
$4.85
$39.22
$78.45
diesel
$4.80
$38.80
$77.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.7
0
$21.58
$9.86
Efficient EV
51.4
0
$17.98
$8.22
EV Truck/SUV
82.2
1
$28.77
$13.15
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Syracuse, NY
Late night
in Syracuse on Monday
Local time
3:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 6 to 13 mph69% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:21PM EDT until July 18 at 11:30PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 3:57PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
New Windsor, NY
Late night
in New Windsor on Monday
Local time
3:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 9 mph82% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:21PM EDT until July 18 at 11:30PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 3:57PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
83°F
Damascus, PA
103 mi in
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
5 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
4h 18m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 7.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway cruising, with 98% of the 205.5 miles on major roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll experience is 105.3 miles on I 86. You'll transition to State Highway 17K for the final portion of the trip, where you'll notice a change in the road's feel. Expect a dense pattern of exits on the highway sections.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.3 mi on I 86.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and I 81. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near NY 92 / East Genesee Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 18m drive. You will face about 9 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 92 / East Genesee Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (Almond Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,616 ft160 ft
Total Climb
1,727 ft
Total Descent
1,967 ft
Highest Point
1,616 ft
~146.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,456 ft
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 New Windsor, NY, road signs point toward New York and Montgomery.
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
The longest stretch is about 105.3 miles on I 86. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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.
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 92 / East Genesee Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (Almond Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at New Windsor, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
