Planning a trip from Westbury, NY, to Amherst, NY? This drive covers 397 miles and is estimated to take about 8 hours and 18 minutes of pure driving time. With a highway share of 40%, you'll experience a mix of travel styles. Given the duration, this is best split over two days, with an estimated fuel cost of $65. You'll be traveling within the Northeast region, staying within New York State for the entire journey. Plan for around two stops to break up the drive.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
198.5 miles from Westbury, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
99.6 mi
1h 55m
I 81
97.3 mi
1h 55m
Christopher Columbus Highway
68.2 mi
1h 20m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
Chase Street
9.8 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Westbury, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on Post Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Post Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward N West: New YorkUse the left lane.
3
Merge onto N
5.7 mi·7 min·Northern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 27Toward Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset, SearingtownUse the slight right lane.
5
Turn right onto Shelter Rock Road
371 ft·18 sec·Shelter Rock Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
Turn left onto North Service Road
404 ft·7 sec·North Service Road
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 495 West
8
Merge onto I 495
3.8 mi·5 min·Long Island Expressway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 31N-SToward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 31NToward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto CI
3.1 mi·4 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 33Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New EnglandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
14
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi·8 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
17
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
18
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi·39 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 69Toward I 80 West: Paterson, HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 80
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
28
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
29
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
30
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
33
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
34
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
35
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
36
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
37
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
38
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
39
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
40
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
41
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
42
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
43
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
44
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
45
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
46
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
47
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
48
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
49
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
50
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
51
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
52
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
53
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
54
Merge onto I 90
100 mi·1 hr 55 min·New York State Thruway
55
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
56
Continue on I 290
1.8 mi·2 min·Youngmann Expressway
57
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
58
Turn left onto NY 324
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
59
Turn left onto NY 263
469 ft·13 sec·Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
60
Arrive at destination
NY 263
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 8-hour, 18-minute drive, consider starting early to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to split it over two days. With 397 miles and a fuel cost around $65, pacing is key. Breaking the trip into two days is highly recommended, allowing for a more relaxed pace and about two stops. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, particularly before entering longer stretches like the 99.6-mile segment on the New York State Thruway, as services can be spaced out.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 198.5 miles from Westbury, NY, or about 4h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 87 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 198.5 miles or 4h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 198.5 miles or 4h 5m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Amherst, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Westbury, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Westbury, NY
Aim for roughly 199 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Amherst, NY
Aim for roughly 199 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Westbury, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 99.6 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 43
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.5 and 26.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
6.5 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit toward Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset, Searingtown
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 27
Toward Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset, Searingtow...
8
10.8 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31N-S
Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge,...
10
11 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 31N
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone B...
8
14.4 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx,...
8
26.6 mi into trip|~39m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.35 one way
$130.70 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg139 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$70.66
$141.33
premium
$4.92
$76.95
$153.89
diesel
$5.61
$87.65
$175.31
Estimated Tolls: $27.81
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(99.6 mi)$4.98
New Jersey Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.28
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
$65
Tolls
$28
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$223–$333
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
119.1
1
$41.68
$19.06
Efficient EV
99.3
1
$34.74
$15.88
EV Truck/SUV
158.8
1
$55.58
$25.41
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Westbury, NY
Morning
in Westbury on Tuesday
Local time
6:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Amherst, NY
Morning
in Amherst on Tuesday
Local time
6:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Ramapo, NY
199 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 18m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 27.4
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 273.8
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 287.5
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...
9 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 27.4
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 27.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route, primarily utilizing the New York State Thruway, I 81, and the Christopher Columbus Highway, has a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. While 40% of the journey is on highways, expect a significant portion to involve more varied road conditions and potentially slower speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 99.6 miles on the New York State Thruway. The road character shifts throughout, moving from more direct highway sections to areas with more frequent turns and local traffic.
Only 40% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
60 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 6.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 43 significant decision points across 397 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 6.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Westbury, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Hackensack and Albany.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.6 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 199 miles on day one.
Expect about $27.81 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. 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 Amherst, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.3 hours each way, a round trip means 16.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Amherst, NY before the return drive.
