Origin
Woodmere, NY
Morning in Woodmere on Tuesday
Local time
7:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Woodmere, NY to Amherst, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 19m
Distance
396.8 mi
639 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$65
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 12m
★
6 AM
8h 19m
8 AM
8h 34m
10 AM
8h 25m
12 PM
8h 23m
3 PM
8h 25m
5 PM
8h 34m
8 PM
8h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Woodmere, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Amherst, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Woodmere, NY to Amherst, NY is 396.8 miles and takes about 8h 19m via New York State Thruway and I 81, with a fuel budget near $65 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within New York, making it a straightforward trip between two points in the same state. With a recommended two days for travel, you'll have plenty of time to break up the nearly 400 miles. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road travel as you make your way upstate. This route is best suited for those who prefer a direct path with minimal detours.
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
198.4 miles from Woodmere, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 6m 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 Woodmere, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on Woodmere Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Woodmere Boulevard
2
Turn right onto West Broadway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway
3
Turn left onto Mill Road
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Mill Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto NY 27
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Sunrise Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward Belt Parkway West, Verrazano Bridge
6
Merge onto BP
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Belt Parkway
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 22
Toward Springfield Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn straight onto NY 27
438 ft
·
19 sec
·
North Conduit Avenue
9
Turn right onto Springfield Boulevard
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Springfield Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn left onto Francis Lewis Boulevard
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Francis Lewis Boulevard
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto NY 25
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Hillside Avenue
12
Turn left onto I 295
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck Bridge
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on I 295
2.0 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: Hackensack
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Use 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 69
Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
Use 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 293
Toward 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 52
Toward 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: Buffalo
Use 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 50
Toward I 290: Niagara Falls
Use 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 6
Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road
Use 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
Given the 8-hour drive time, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours, especially if you plan to stop for the night. With two planned stops, you can comfortably cover about 200 miles per day. Watch for the transition from highway to surface roads, as this is where your average speed will likely decrease. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly on the 99.6-mile stretch of the New York State Thruway, as services can be spread 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 198.4 miles from Woodmere, NY, or about 4h 6m 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 198.4 miles or 4h 6m 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 198.4 miles or 4h 6m
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 8m
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 Woodmere, 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 Woodmere, NY
Aim for roughly 198 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Amherst, NY
Aim for roughly 198 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Woodmere, 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.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
198 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Ithaca, NYOvernight Options
Night 1
198 mi · about 4.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Ithaca, NY after about 198 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 198.4 miles from Woodmere, 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 99.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 198 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.
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 415 decision points cluster between mile 9.6 and 395.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
9.6 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 295 / Clearview Expressway
Turn left onto I 295 / Clearview Expressway toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck Bridge
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Throu...
8
26.4 mi into trip
|
~40m 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
8
26.7 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
29 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Paterson, 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.
Exit 69
Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
8
395.6 mi into trip
|
~8h 16m in
Take the exit toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road
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 6
Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem R...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.32 one way
$130.63 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
139 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $70.63 | $141.25 |
| premium | $4.92 | $76.91 | $153.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $87.61 | $175.22 |
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: 138.8 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 | $41.66 | $19.05 |
| Efficient EV | 99.2 | 1 | $34.72 | $15.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 158.7 | 1 | $55.55 | $25.40 |
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.
Destination
Amherst, NY
Morning in Amherst on Tuesday
Local time
7:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
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.
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 19m 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
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 27.4
View on nps.gov
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 273.7
View on nps.gov
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 287.4
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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 27.4
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 27.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 38% of your time on highways, with the longest continuous stretch on the New York State Thruway covering 99.6 miles. The primary roads for this trip include the New York State Thruway, I 81, and Christopher Columbus Highway. After the highway segments, expect a shift to mostly surface roads for the remainder of your travel. This transition often means more local traffic and frequent intersections as you approach your destination.
Only 38% 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 9.6 miles in near I 295 / Clearview Expressway.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 41 significant decision points across 396.8 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 9.6 miles (I 295 / Clearview Expressway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,694 ft
11 ft
Total Climb
2,481 ft
Total Descent
1,909 ft
Highest Point
1,694 ft
~255.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,684 ft
Notable High Points
1,694 ft at ~255.1 miles
+584 ft prominence
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 Woodmere, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Hackensack and Albany.
Upper Level
23.9 mi in
|
~36m
|
via I 95; US 1
Njtp South: Hackensack
26.4 mi in
|
~40m
Hackensack
29 mi in
|
~43m
Albany
201.8 mi in
|
~4h 10m
|
via I 81
About the Cities
Starting in Woodmere, NY
Full guide →Arriving in Amherst, NY
Full guide →Amherst is a town in the Northtowns of Erie County, New York.
Top landmarks
- • Entranceway at Main Street at Roycroft Boulevard — residential landscape feature in Amherst, New York state, USA
- • Entranceways at Main Street at Lamarck Drive and Smallwood Drive — residential landscape feature in Amherst, New York state, USA
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
8h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
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 198 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 9.6 miles (I 295 / Clearview Expressway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.7 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.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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