Trip from West Monroe, NY to Albany, NY

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 1m

Distance

143.1 mi

230 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

2h 50m ★

6 AM

3h 2m

8 AM

3h 24m

10 AM

3h 10m

12 PM

3h 7m

3 PM

3h 11m

5 PM

3h 23m

8 PM

2h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

suburb city of Monroe, located in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States

West Monroe, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 143.1-mile drive from West Monroe, NY, to Albany, NY, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours to complete. You'll primarily navigate the New York State Thruway, State Route 49, and Lowell Road. With a highway share of 19%, expect a blend of driving experiences. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $24. This route is suitable for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region of New York State.

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

71.5 miles from West Monroe, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
New York State Thruway	94.2 mi	1h 48m
State Route 49	20.9 mi	29m
Lowell Road	6.5 mi	8m
I 90	6.1 mi	8m
Lake Street	4.3 mi	6m
Blackman Corners Road	3.9 mi	5m
George Street	1.6 mi	2m
County Road 50	0.9 mi	1m

Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 94.2 mi, about 1h 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Monroe, NY and Albany, NY.

Start on CR 11

41 ft · 7 sec · County Route 11

Turn left onto NY 49

3.7 mi · 5 min · State Route 49

Continue on NY 49

1.6 mi · 2 min · George Street

Continue on NY 49

4.5 mi · 6 min · State Route 49

Continue on NY 49

1.2 mi · 1 min · Lake Street

Continue on NY 49

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Main Street

Continue on NY 49

3.2 mi · 4 min · Lake Street

Continue on NY 49

13 mi · 17 min · State Route 49

Turn right onto NY 46

0.2 mi · 19 sec · State Highway 46

Continue on NY 46

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Rome New London Road

Turn left onto New London Road

0.4 mi · 47 sec · New London Road

Turn slight right onto CR 50

0.9 mi · 1 min · County Road 50

Turn left onto CR 50

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Senn Road

Turn left onto CR 50

196 ft · 5 sec · Verona Mills Road

Turn right onto CR 52

3.9 mi · 5 min · Blackman Corners Road

Continue on CR 52

6.5 mi · 8 min · Lowell Road

Continue on CR 23

0.3 mi · 56 sec · West Main Street

Turn left onto NY 233

0.3 mi · 37 sec · NY 233

Turn right onto Cider Street

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Cider Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward I 90

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward I 90 East

Merge onto I 90

94 mi · 1 hr 48 min · New York State Thruway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 90

Exit 24 Toward I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, Montreal Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

4.9 mi · 6 min · I 90

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 28 sec

Exit 6 Toward US 9: Loudonville, Arbor Hill Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 28 sec

Toward US 9 South: Arbor Hill, Henry Johnson Boulevard Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto US 9

0.3 mi · 22 sec · US 9

Continue on US 9

0.5 mi · 1 min · Henry Johnson Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto NY 5

508 ft · 16 sec · Central Avenue

Turn slight left onto NY 5

0.5 mi · 1 min · Washington Avenue

Turn right

30 ft · 2 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour duration, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your time in Albany and potentially avoid some local traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have significant flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $24, and plan a refill if needed before embarking on the 94.2-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway to ensure a smooth drive.

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 71.5 miles from West Monroe, NY, or about 1h 35m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.2 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 31 miles or 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 71.5 miles or 1h 35m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving West Monroe, 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 West Monroe, NY

This is one driving day of about 143.1 miles and 3h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from West Monroe, 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 94.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Herkimer County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Little Falls, NY

72 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

Sherrill, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Saint Johnsville, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 71.5 miles from West Monroe, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Cafe Madison

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Albany, New York

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+15189351094

Visit website

Canali's Italian & American Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Schenectady, New York

2.5 mi

Mi Ecuador Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rensselaer, New York

2.6 mi

Cafe Madison

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Albany, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+15189351094

Visit website

Canali's Italian & American Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 4–9 pm

+15183555323

Visit website

Mi Ecuador Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Rensselaer, New York

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+15182750565

Visit website

Caribe Spanish Restaurant & Sports Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15182806277

Visit website

Bellevue Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15183937720

Visit website

Blue Ribbon Restaurant & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 7 am–9:30 pm

+15183932600

Visit website

Barcelona Restaurant-Wine Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately

Albany, New York

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15184381144

Visit website

Tool's Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Delmar, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+15184399111

Visit website

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Rotterdam, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EVlink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Utica, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887174544

Visit website

The Stanley Theatre

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Utica, New York

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+13157244000

Visit website

Tawasentha Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Altamont, New York

Hours: 7 am–8:30 pm

+15184563150

Visit website

Utica Zoo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Utica, New York

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+13157380472

Visit website

5 Wits Albany

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Albany, New York

Hours: 12–8 pm

+15187592288

Visit website

Utica Children's Museum

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 3 mi from route ~7 min detour

Utica, New York

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+13158087529

Visit website

Shaker Heritage Society

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Albany, New York

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+15184567890

Visit website

American Italian Heritage Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Albany, New York

Hours: 12–2 pm

+15184351979

Visit website

Billy Beez Sangertown Square

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

New Hartford, NY

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+13152353121

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 40.3 and 141.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

40.3 mi into trip | ~58m in | Cider Street

Turn right onto Cider Street

Navigation decision point

135 mi into trip | ~2h 48m in | I 90

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, Montreal

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 24 Toward I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, Montreal

136.2 mi into trip | ~2h 50m in | I 90

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

141.1 mi into trip | ~2h 57m in

Take the exit toward US 9: Loudonville, Arbor Hill

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 6 Toward US 9: Loudonville, Arbor Hill

141.4 mi into trip | ~2h 57m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 9 South: Arbor Hill, Henry Johnson Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 9 South: Arbor Hill, Henry Johnson Bo...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.56 one way

$47.11 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.52	$25.47	$50.94
premium	$4.92	$27.74	$55.47
diesel	$5.61	$31.59	$63.19

Estimated Tolls: $4.71

New York State Thruway (94.2 mi) $4.71

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

$24

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	42.9	$15.03	$6.87
Efficient EV	35.8	$12.52	$5.72
EV Truck/SUV	57.2	$20.03	$9.16

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

West Monroe, NY

Late night in West Monroe on Tuesday

Local time

5:12 AM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Sunny

NW 6 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Albany, NY

Late night in Albany on Tuesday

Local time

5:12 AM

EDT

Current temp

69°F

Sunny

N 9 mph 12% chance 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

4 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 1m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 ~14 min detour Free near mile 34.8

View on nps.gov

Saratoga National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

23 mi from route ~57 min detour Free near mile 134.1

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this drive is best described as turn-heavy local, with a 19% highway share. You'll experience a significant portion of the journey on local roads, interspersed with stretches on the New York State Thruway. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 94.2 miles on the Thruway, offering a period of more consistent speed. Be prepared for frequent turns and changes in road type as you transition between State Route 49, Lowell Road, and the Thruway.

Only 19% 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: 94.2 mi on New York State Thruway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 40.3 miles in near Cider Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 143.1 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 40.3 miles (Cider Street): Navigation decision point; at 135 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.2 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

On the drive from West Monroe, NY to Albany, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Montreal along the way.

Montreal

135 mi in | ~2h 48m | via I 90

About the Cities

Starting in West Monroe, NY

Full guide →

Arriving in Albany, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1686

Albany is the capital of New York. Albany is an interesting showcase of several centuries' worth of architectural styles, including the modernistic Empire State Plaza.

Top landmarks

• New York State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of New York
• Fort Orange — fort in New Netherland (now Albany, New York)
• Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — historic cathedral in Albany, 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 1m. Total distance: 143.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 94.2 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $4.71 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 Albany, 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.

Yes — Fort Stanwix National Monument and Saratoga National Historical Park. 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 Albany, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from West Monroe, NY or browse trips ending in Albany, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.

Trip from West Monroe, NY to Albany, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Cafe Madison

Cafe Madison

Canali's Italian & American Restaurant

Mi Ecuador Restaurant

Caribe Spanish Restaurant & Sports Bar

Bellevue Cafe

Blue Ribbon Restaurant & Bakery

Barcelona Restaurant-Wine Bar

Tool's Restaurant

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

EVlink Charging Station

The Stanley Theatre

Tawasentha Park

Utica Zoo

5 Wits Albany

Utica Children's Museum

Shaker Heritage Society

American Italian Heritage Museum

Billy Beez Sangertown Square

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

West Monroe, NY

Albany, NY

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 1m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Fort Stanwix National Monument

Saratoga National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in West Monroe, NY

Arriving in Albany, NY

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Albany, NY

More from West Monroe, NY

More trips to Albany, NY