Origin
Watervliet, NY
Late night in Watervliet on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Watervliet, NY to Yonkers, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 2m
Distance
150.3 mi
242 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 51m
★
6 AM
3h 2m
8 AM
3h 25m
10 AM
3h 10m
12 PM
3h 8m
3 PM
3h 11m
5 PM
3h 24m
8 PM
2h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Watervliet, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Yonkers, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Watervliet to Yonkers is 150.3 miles and takes about 3 hours 2 minutes via New York State Thruway, Saw Mill River Parkway, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a local drive with frequent turns rather than a straight shot on the interstate. With a highway share of only 11%, this route is best suited for those who prefer a more engaged driving experience over simply covering ground quickly. It's a manageable one-day journey, perfect for a relaxed drive.
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
75.1 miles from Watervliet, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 131.2 mi | 2h 33m |
| I 787 | 8.5 mi | 12m |
| Saw Mill River Parkway | 7.8 mi | 10m |
| Yonkers Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Nepperhan Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 2nd Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 23rd Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Broadway | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 131.2 mi, about 2h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watervliet, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on NY 2
67 ft
·
4 sec
·
19th Street
2
Turn right onto NY 32
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
2nd Avenue
3
Turn right onto 23rd Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
23rd Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 787 South
5
Merge onto I 787
7.8 mi
·
10 min
·
I 787
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 787
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 787
Exit 1
Toward I 87 Toll: New York State Thruway
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1
8
Merge onto I 87
111 mi
·
2 hr 8 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 87
19 mi
·
24 min
·
New York State Thruway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 7A
Toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 5
Toward West Yonkers Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Yonkers Avenue
15
Continue on Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Nepperhan Avenue
16
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A
229 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Broadway
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
US 9; NY 9A
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour drive time, leaving Watervliet in the morning allows ample time to reach Yonkers before evening. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, especially considering the longest stretch is 131.2 miles on the New York State Thruway. Keep an eye out for the transitions between the main highways and local parkways, as this is where most of the turns will occur. Your fuel cost is estimated at $25, so ensure you have enough before embarking on the longer highway segments.
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 75.1 miles from Watervliet, NY, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.2 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 33 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.1 miles or 1h 30m 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 26m
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 Watervliet, 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 Watervliet, NY
This is one driving day of about 150.3 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Watervliet, 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 131.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.1 miles from Watervliet, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 131.2 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 9 and 150.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
9 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turn...
6
139.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
|
I 87 / New York State Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 / New York State Thruway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
140.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m 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
148.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m 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
150.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m 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
$24.74 one way
$49.48 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $26.75 | $53.50 |
| premium | $4.92 | $29.13 | $58.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.18 | $66.37 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.56
New York State Thruway
(131.2 mi)
$6.56
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
$25
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.1 | 0 | $15.78 | $7.21 |
| Efficient EV | 37.6 | 0 | $13.15 | $6.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.1 | 0 | $21.04 | $9.62 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Late night in Yonkers on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Ramapo, NY
75 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
3h 2m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 150.3
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 150.3
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument
National Monument
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 150.3
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument
National Monument
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 150.3
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument
National Monument
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 150.3
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial
National Memorial
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
17 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 150.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a turn-heavy local drive experience, indicated by its low 11% highway share. While the New York State Thruway provides a significant uninterrupted stretch of 131.2 miles, the overall character is one of engaging with the local road network. You'll encounter more frequent turns and changes in scenery than on a pure interstate journey. The drive progresses from more open highway to a more localized feel as you approach your destination.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 131.2 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 9 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 150.3 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 9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.8 miles (I 87 / New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.7 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 Watervliet, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1 and Saw Mill River Parkway South.
Massachusetts Turnpike
9 mi in
|
~13m
Exits 22-1
9 mi in
|
~13m
Saw Mill River Parkway South
140.7 mi in
|
~2h 48m
About the Cities
Starting in Watervliet, NY
Full guide →Founded 1896
Watervliet is a city in Albany County.
Top landmarks
- • Watervliet Arsenal — US Army installation in Watervliet, New York
- • Iron Building — building in Watervliet, New York, United States
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 3h 2m. Total distance: 150.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 131.2 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.56 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 9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.8 miles (I 87 / New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Yonkers, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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