Origin
Waterloo, NY
Afternoon in Waterloo on Sunday
Local time
1:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waterloo, NY to Yonkers, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 48m
Distance
271.6 mi
437 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 35m
★
6 AM
5h 49m
8 AM
6h 15m
10 AM
5h 58m
12 PM
5h 55m
3 PM
5h 59m
5 PM
6h 13m
8 PM
5h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waterloo, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Yonkers, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Waterloo, NY to Yonkers, NY is 271.6 miles and takes about 5h 48m via I 86, I 81, and Palisades Interstate Parkway, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a primarily highway route, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates before transitioning to a parkway as you approach your destination.
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
135.8 miles from Waterloo, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 86 | 129.9 mi | 2h 40m |
| I 81 | 45.4 mi | 54m |
| Palisades Interstate Parkway | 15.1 mi | 17m |
| New York State Thruway | 10.2 mi | 13m |
| East Lake Road | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| State Highway 41 | 9.8 mi | 13m |
| Clark Street Road | 9.6 mi | 11m |
| Saw Mill River Parkway | 7.8 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 129.9 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,020 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~94 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 3 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 Waterloo, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on NY 96
60 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Virginia Street
2
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
East Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
Cayuga Street
4
Continue on US 20; NY 5
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Auburn Road
5
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi
·
11 min
·
Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft
·
12 sec
·
State Street
7
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Dill Street
8
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft
·
16 sec
·
Loop Road
9
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Genesee Street
10
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
West Genesee Street Road
11
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Lake Street
12
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi
·
13 min
·
East Lake Road
13
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 41
14
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Lake Road
15
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 41
16
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North West Street
17
Take the ramp
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the left lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
19
Merge onto I 81
45 mi
·
54 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
130 mi
·
2 hr 40 min
·
I 86; NY 17
Toward New York
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit onto US 6
7.1 mi
·
9 min
·
US 6
Exit 130A
Toward US 6: Bear Mountain
22
Enter roundabout
346 ft
·
4 sec
Exit 18
Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
23
Continue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 18
Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
24
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 9E
Toward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, White Plains, New York State Thruway South
Use the right lane.
26
Merge onto I 87; I 287
9.2 mi
·
12 min
·
New York State Thruway
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 7A
Toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 5
Toward West Yonkers Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
31
Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Yonkers Avenue
32
Continue on Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Nepperhan Avenue
33
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A
229 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Broadway
Use the left lane.
34
Arrive at destination
US 9; NY 9A
Trip Plan
Given this route takes under 6 hours, it's entirely manageable as a same-day trip. To make the most of your driving time, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid heavier traffic, especially as you near Yonkers. The longest stretch is nearly 130 miles, so plan for a fuel stop or a break before you hit that point. With a fuel cost estimated around $44, it’s a budget-friendly drive. The transition to the Palisades Interstate Parkway is your cue to be more attentive to local traffic as you get closer to your destination.
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 135.8 miles from Waterloo, NY, or about 2h 57m 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 60 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.8 miles or 2h 57m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yonkers, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Waterloo, 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 Waterloo, NY
This is one driving day of about 271.6 miles and 5h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Waterloo, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 135.8 miles from Waterloo, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 98.7 and 271.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
98.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m 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
8
251.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 19m 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...
7
262.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 34m in
Take the exit toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 7A
Toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
7
270.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 46m in
Take the exit toward West Yonkers Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward West Yonkers Avenue
7
271.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 48m in
|
US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.14 one way
$88.28 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $47.78 | $95.55 |
| premium | $4.87 | $52.03 | $104.06 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $57.77 | $115.55 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.51
New York State Thruway
(10.2 mi)
$0.51
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
$44
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.5 | 1 | $28.52 | $13.04 |
| Efficient EV | 67.9 | 0 | $23.77 | $10.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.6 | 1 | $38.02 | $17.38 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Afternoon in Yonkers on Sunday
Local time
1:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Montague, NJ
136 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
9 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 48m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
With 81% of the drive on highways, you'll be on major interstates for most of this trip. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 129.9 miles on I 86. Expect a significant portion of your drive to involve consistent cruising speeds on these roads. As you transition to the Palisades Interstate Parkway, you'll notice a change in scenery and potentially more varied traffic patterns as you get closer to the urban area.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 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?
10/10
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 around 98.7 miles in near I 86; NY 17.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 271.6 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 98.7 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 251.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Waterloo, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward New York, Palisades Interstate Parkway South, White Plains and New York State Thruway South.
New York
98.7 mi in
|
~2h 12m
|
via I 86; NY 17
Palisades Interstate Parkway South
235.7 mi in
|
~5h 1m
White Plains
251.4 mi in
|
~5h 19m
New York State Thruway South
251.4 mi in
|
~5h 19m
About the Cities
Starting in Waterloo, NY
Full guide →Founded 1800
Top landmarks
- • Waterloo Library — library in Waterloo, New York
Arriving in Yonkers, NY
Full guide →Founded 1646
Yonkers is a city of 211,569 people (2020) in Westchester County. The third most populous city in New York state, Yonkers is a suburb of New York City and borders the Borough of the Bronx. Yonkers is known as the "City of Seven Hills," which are Park, Nodine, Ridge, Cross, Locust, Glen, and Church hills.
Top landmarks
- • Untermyer Park — public garden
- • Hudson River Museum — museum in Yonkers, N.Y.
- • Glenview Mansion — historic house in New York, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 48m. Total distance: 271.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). 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 $0.51 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Yonkers, 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 98.7 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 251.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Yonkers, NY before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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