Westbury, NY to Utica, NY is 254 miles and takes about 5h 8m via NY 17 and the New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, starting in the state's western suburbs and heading north through diverse landscapes. It's a straightforward, mostly highway-focused journey ideal for a single day of travel. If you're looking for an efficient way to get from Long Island to Central New York, this route offers a practical option without unnecessary detours.
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
127.1 miles from Westbury, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
117.5 mi
2h 15m
New York State Thruway
85.1 mi
1h 38m
NJ 17
14.7 mi
18m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Northern State Parkway
5.7 mi
7m
Long Island Expressway
3.8 mi
5m
Cross Island Parkway
3.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 117.5 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Westbury, NY and Utica, 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 right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 72AToward NJ 4 West: ParamusUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto NJ 4
6.7 mi·9 min·NJ 4
Use the slight right lane.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, MahwahUse the straight lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: MahwahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
29
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
30
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
31
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
118 mi·2 hr 15 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
85 mi·1 hr 38 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
33
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 790, NY 8, NY 12: UticaUse the slight right lane.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
35
Keep slight right at fork
159 ft·3 sec
36
Turn slight right onto North Genesee Street
1.0 mi·1 min·North Genesee Street
37
Continue on Genesee Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Genesee Street
38
Turn right onto Washington Lane
63 ft·2 sec·Washington Lane
39
Arrive at destination
Washington Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 8m duration, departing Westbury in the morning will allow you to reach Utica with plenty of daylight remaining. You'll only need one planned stop, so consider making it a substantial break to refuel and stretch. The longest stretch without a major highway change is 117.5 miles on NY 17, so plan your rest stops accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer highway segments, as the estimated fuel cost is $42 for this 254-mile trip.
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 127.1 miles from Westbury, NY, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.5 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 56 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.1 miles or 2h 39m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Utica, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Westbury, NY
This is one driving day of about 254.1 miles and 5h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Westbury, 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 NY 17 for about 117.5 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.5 and 26.8 — 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,...
9
26.8 mi into trip|~39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.83 one way
$83.65 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$45.23
$90.46
premium
$4.92
$49.25
$98.50
diesel
$5.61
$56.10
$112.20
Estimated Tolls: $26.80
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(85.1 mi)$4.25
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
$42
Tolls
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.2
0
$26.68
$12.20
Efficient EV
63.5
0
$22.23
$10.16
EV Truck/SUV
101.6
1
$35.57
$16.26
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Westbury, NY
Late night
in Westbury on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Utica, NY
Late night
in Utica on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Ramapo, NY
127 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 8m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 26.3
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...
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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 26.3
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 26.3
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 26.3
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 26.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 63% of the mileage on major roadways. You'll experience stretches of both NY 17 and the New York State Thruway, offering a consistent pace for much of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 117.5 miles on NY 17, so be prepared for extended periods of highway driving. While primarily on fast-paced roads, you'll still encounter sections of NJ 17, adding a bit of variety to the driving experience as you transition between states.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.5 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and New York State Thruway. 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 28 significant decision points across 254.1 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 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 Utica, NY, road signs point toward Bronx, New England, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South and Gsp North - among others.
Utica is the heart of the Mohawk Valley and the seat of Oneida County in Central New York State. Utica offers the charm of small-city living balanced with the cultural and ethnic diversity of an international urban center. At the foot of the Adirondack Mountains, Utica is a truly scenic city that offers the pleasures of both a rural and urban setting.
Top landmarks
•Utica Memorial Auditorium — multi-purpose arena
•Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute — arts center in Utica, New York
•Union Station — railway station in Utica, New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 8m. Total distance: 254.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 117.5 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $26.80 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 Utica, 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 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 Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Utica, NY before the return drive.
