Syracuse to Tarrytown is 238.7 miles and takes about 4h 54m via I 86, I 81, and Palisades Interstate Parkway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New York, transitioning from the Northeast region to a more suburban feel as you approach the Hudson Valley. It's a straightforward trip primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. You'll find it to be a practical route with minimal fuss, ideal if you're looking for efficiency over extensive sightseeing.
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
119.4 miles from Syracuse, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
129.9 mi
2h 40m
I 81
74.5 mi
1h 28m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
15.1 mi
17m
New York State Thruway
8.1 mi
10m
US 6
7.1 mi
9m
South Broadway
1.1 mi
3m
I-81
0.8 mi
<1m
Almond Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 129.9 mi, about 2h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Syracuse, NY and Tarrytown, 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
130 mi·2 hr 40 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 6
7.1 mi·9 min·US 6
Exit 130AToward US 6: Bear Mountain
11
Enter roundabout
346 ft·4 sec
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
12
Continue
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 18Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
13
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 9EToward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, White Plains, New York State Thruway SouthUse the right lane.
15
Merge onto I 87; I 287
8.1 mi·10 min·New York State Thruway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 9Toward US 9: Tarrytown, Sleepy HollowUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto US 9
1.1 mi·3 min·South Broadway
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto Main Street
101 ft·2 sec·Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 54-minute duration, starting your drive in Syracuse in the morning allows ample time to reach Tarrytown before evening. With only one recommended stop, you can be quite flexible with your pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without an exit is over 129 miles on I 86. The $39 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, and planning your fuel fill-up before that long segment on I 86 is a smart move to avoid any potential delays.
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 119.4 miles from Syracuse, NY, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.9 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 53 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.4 miles or 2h 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 3h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tarrytown, 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 238.7 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 129.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 237.3 — 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.
7
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. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward New York
6
213.1 mi into trip|~4h 20m in
Enter roundabout toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Exit 18
Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
8
228.8 mi into trip|~4h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, White Plains, New York State Thruway South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 9E
Toward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, W...
8
237.3 mi into trip|~4h 50m in
Take the exit toward US 9: Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow
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 9
Toward US 9: Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.29 one way
$78.58 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$42.49
$84.97
premium
$4.92
$46.26
$92.53
diesel
$5.61
$52.70
$105.40
Estimated Tolls: $0.40
New York State Thruway
(8.1 mi)$0.40
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
$39
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.6
0
$25.06
$11.46
Efficient EV
59.7
0
$20.89
$9.55
EV Truck/SUV
95.5
1
$33.42
$15.28
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Syracuse, NY
Late night
in Syracuse on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tarrytown, NY
Late night
in Tarrytown on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Partly Sunny
SW 10 mph6% 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
24 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 54m 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.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 238.7
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 238.7
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 8.2
Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 238.7
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 238.7
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 238.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 95% of the journey on major interstates. Expect long stretches of consistent driving, including a significant 129.9-mile segment on I 86. The character is largely that of a dependable, high-speed transit corridor, designed for getting from point A to point B efficiently. While the majority is interstate, the final approach on the Palisades Interstate Parkway may offer a slightly different feel as you enter the more developed areas around Tarrytown.
95% 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: 129.9 mi on I 86.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near NY 92 / East Genesee Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 238.7 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: near the start (NY 92 / East Genesee Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 76.1 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 213.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
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 Tarrytown, NY, road signs point toward New York and Palisades Interstate Parkway South.
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 4h 54m. Total distance: 238.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.9 miles on I 86. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.40 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 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.
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 Tarrytown, 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (NY 92 / East Genesee Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 76.1 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 213.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Tarrytown, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
