White Plains, NY to Penfield, NY is 305.1 miles and takes about 6h 33m via Long Mountain Parkway and I 81, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within New York, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. It's a single-day route, so you can plan your departure accordingly and arrive at your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
152.5 miles from White Plains, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Mountain Parkway
107.6 mi
2h 15m
I 81
39.3 mi
46m
New York State Thruway
39.2 mi
46m
NY 17
33.7 mi
40m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
14.9 mi
17m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
Chase Street
9.8 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Long Mountain Parkway
— 107.6 mi, about 2h 15m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~952 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,382
Quietest
2 AM
~95 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 17 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 White Plains, NY and Penfield, NY.
1
Start on NY 119
72 ft·7 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto NY 22
0.9 mi·1 min·North Broadway
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto Orchard Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Orchard Street
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
5
Merge onto I 287
4.4 mi·5 min·Cross Westchester Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 87; I 287
8.9 mi·11 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 13NToward Palisades Parkway North, Bear MountainUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 18Toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State Thruway
10
Enter roundabout onto US 6
375 ft·5 sec·Long Mountain Parkway
11
Continue on US 6
108 mi·2 hr 14 min·Long Mountain Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on NY 17
34 mi·40 min·NY 17
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
16
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
17
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
18
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
19
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
20
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
21
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
22
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
23
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
24
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
25
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
26
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
27
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
28
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
29
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
30
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
31
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
32
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
33
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
34
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
36
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
37
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 45Toward I 490: RochesterUse the slight right lane.
38
Continue on I 490
7.6 mi·8 min·Eastern Expressway
39
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 25Toward NY 31F: Fairport, East RochesterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft·4 sec
Toward NY 31F East: Fairport
41
Turn straight onto NY 31F
0.3 mi·43 sec·Fairport Road
42
Turn left onto NY 153
1.0 mi·2 min·South Washington Street
43
Turn right onto CR 15
0.6 mi·1 min·East Linden Avenue
Use the right lane.
44
At end of road, turn left onto CR 17
0.2 mi·20 sec·Whitney Road
45
Continue on CR 18
0.5 mi·1 min·Five Mile Line Road
46
Turn right onto NY 441
121 ft·2 sec·Penfield Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
47
Arrive at destination
NY 441
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 33m estimated drive time, leaving White Plains in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway segments, and be aware that the $50 fuel cost is an estimate. This is a manageable one-day drive, so you can depart when convenient, but plan for potential traffic around major urban areas you might pass near.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 152.5 miles from White Plains, NY, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.6 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 67 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.5 miles or 3h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Penfield, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving White Plains, 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 White Plains, NY
This is one driving day of about 305.1 miles and 6h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from White Plains, 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 Long Mountain Parkway for about 107.6 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 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.5 and 302.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
14.5 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain
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 13N
Toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain
7
263.1 mi into trip|~5h 40m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
263.3 mi into trip|~5h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 West: Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
7
294.2 mi into trip|~6h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 490: Rochester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 45
Toward I 490: Rochester
8
302.2 mi into trip|~6h 26m in
Take the exit toward NY 31F: Fairport, East Rochester
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 25
Toward NY 31F: Fairport, East Rochester
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.40 one way
$106.81 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$57.87
$115.75
premium
$5.23
$62.82
$125.64
diesel
$6.28
$75.39
$150.77
Estimated Tolls: $1.96
New York State Thruway
(39.2 mi)$1.96
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
$53
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.5
1
$32.04
$14.64
Efficient EV
76.3
0
$26.70
$12.20
EV Truck/SUV
122
1
$42.71
$19.53
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
White Plains, NY
Night
in White Plains on Thursday
Local time
9:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Mostly Clear
NE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Penfield, NY
Night
in Penfield on Thursday
Local time
9:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
W 3 to 7 mph0% chanceLive 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
26 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
6h 33m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Women's Rights National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 241.9
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 71% of the drive on major roads like the New York State Thruway. You'll encounter a long stretch of 107.6 miles on Long Mountain Parkway before transitioning to other highways. Expect frequent exits and merging traffic as you navigate through various sections of New York.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.6 mi on Long Mountain Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Mountain Parkway and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.5 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 32 significant decision points across 305.1 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 14.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 263.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 263.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,619 ft217 ft
Total Climb
2,180 ft
Total Descent
1,976 ft
Highest Point
1,619 ft
~152.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,402 ft
Notable High Points
1,619 ft at ~152.5 miles+579 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between White Plains, NY and Penfield, NY, road signs point toward New York State Thruway and Albany.
White Plains is a city of 60,000 people (2020) in Westchester County, New York. White Plains has several locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It also does well-run Saint Patrick's Day parade and New Year's celebrations. The library is top notch. Liberty Park is also worth a visit.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 33m. Total distance: 305.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107.6 miles on Long Mountain Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.96 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.
Yes — we found about 17 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Penfield, 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. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 263.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 263.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Women's Rights National Historical Park, Harriet Tubman National Historical Park and General Grant National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Penfield, NY before the return drive.
