Traveling from Yonkers to Altona covers 319.7 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 28 minutes of driving time. Because this is a long journey, you can realistically complete it in a single day, though it will be a full day behind the wheel. You should budget approximately $52 for fuel to cover the distance. This route takes you through the Northeast, transitioning from the outskirts of the New York City metro area toward the northern reaches of the state. It is a straightforward trip that works well if you are prepared for a long haul, but plan for at least one solid stop to break up the travel time.
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
159.8 miles from Yonkers, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Adirondack Northway
145.9 mi
2h 49m
New York State Thruway
137.7 mi
2h 43m
Military Turnpike
14.7 mi
20m
I 787
9 mi
12m
NY 7
3.1 mi
3m
Devils Den Road
2.3 mi
5m
Saw Mill River Road
1.4 mi
2m
State Route 3
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Adirondack Northway
— 145.9 mi, about 2h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yonkers, NY and Altona, NY.
1
Start on US 9; NY 9A
181 ft·11 sec·South Broadway
2
Turn sharp right onto Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi·48 sec·Nepperhan Avenue
3
Keep slight left at fork onto Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi·56 sec·Nepperhan Avenue
4
Turn right onto NY 9A
0.1 mi·19 sec·Ashburton Avenue
5
Turn left onto NY 9A
1.4 mi·2 min·Saw Mill River Road
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on Tuckahoe Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Tuckahoe Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 87 North
8
Merge onto I 87
26 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 87
112 mi·2 hr 9 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 23Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, TroyUse the slight right lane.
11
Continue on I 787
9.0 mi·12 min·I 787
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 787
0.4 mi·29 sec·NY 787
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 9WToward NY 7 West: Schenectady, Saratoga SpringsUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto NY 7
3.1 mi·3 min·NY 7
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 North: Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls
16
Merge onto I 87
146 mi·2 hr 49 min·Adirondack Northway
17
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 37Toward NY 3: Plattsburgh, Saranac Lake
18
Turn left onto NY 3
1.0 mi·1 min·State Route 3
19
Turn right onto NY 190
15 mi·20 min·Military Turnpike
20
Turn right onto CR 16
2.3 mi·5 min·Devils Den Road
21
Turn right onto CR 23
18 ft·0 sec·Miner Farm Road
22
Arrive at destination
CR 23
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 319.7-mile trek, try to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue during the final stretches. Given the total duration of over 6 hours, pacing your one recommended stop strategically is essential to keep your energy levels up. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition away from the main Thruway corridors toward the Military Turnpike, where service options may become less frequent. Since the route is a mix of high-speed highway and technical local turns, stay alert for changing speed limits and road conditions. This trip offers enough flexibility for a one-day push, but ensure you are comfortable with the significant time spent in the driver's seat.
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 159.8 miles from Yonkers, NY, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.9 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 70 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.8 miles or 3h 14m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altona, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Yonkers, 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 Yonkers, NY
This is one driving day of about 319.7 miles and 6h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Yonkers, 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 Adirondack Northway for about 145.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 300.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|NY 9A / Saw Mill River Road
Turn left onto NY 9A / Saw Mill River Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
29.2 mi into trip|~40m in|I 87 / New York State Thruway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 87 / New York State Thruway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
141.1 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy
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 23
Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy
8
150.7 mi into trip|~3h 3m in
Take the exit toward NY 7 West: Schenectady, Saratoga Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 9W
Toward NY 7 West: Schenectady, Saratoga Springs
6
300.8 mi into trip|~5h 58m in
Take the exit toward NY 3: Plattsburgh, Saranac Lake
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 37
Toward NY 3: Plattsburgh, Saranac Lake
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.62 one way
$105.25 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$56.90
$113.81
premium
$4.92
$61.96
$123.93
diesel
$5.61
$70.59
$141.17
Estimated Tolls: $7.92
New York State Thruway
(137.7 mi)$6.89
Military Turnpike
(14.7 mi)$1.03
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
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.9
1
$33.57
$15.35
Efficient EV
79.9
0
$27.97
$12.79
EV Truck/SUV
127.9
1
$44.76
$20.46
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 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 17, 2026
Origin
Yonkers, NY
Late night
in Yonkers on Tuesday
Local time
4:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 6 to 9 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Altona, NY
Late night
in Altona on Tuesday
Local time
4:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Stockport, NY
160 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
6 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
6h 28m 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.
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...
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 176.4
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied experience that shifts from high-speed interstates to more technical local roads as you head north. You will spend a significant portion of the trip on the New York State Thruway and the Adirondack Northway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 145.9 miles. Despite these major arteries, the route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, with highway driving making up only 9% of the total journey. Once you transition onto the Military Turnpike, the pace changes, requiring more focused attention as you navigate the final segments of the trip. The road feels like a blend of efficient highway transit and slower, more deliberate local driving.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 145.9 mi on Adirondack Northway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 1.1 miles in near NY 9A / Saw Mill River Road.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 319.7 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 1.1 miles (NY 9A / Saw Mill River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.2 miles (I 87 / New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,040 ft86 ft
Total Climb
1,449 ft
Total Descent
1,335 ft
Highest Point
1,040 ft
~251.2 mi in
Elevation Range
954 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Yonkers, NY and Altona, NY, road signs point toward Troy, Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls and Saranac Lake.
Yonkers is a city of 211,569 people (2020) in Westchester County. The third most populous city in New York state, Yonkers is a suburb of New York City and borders the Borough of the Bronx. Yonkers is known as the "City of Seven Hills," which are Park, Nodine, Ridge, Cross, Locust, Glen, and Church hills.
Top landmarks
•Untermyer Park — public garden
•Hudson River Museum — museum in Yonkers, N.Y.
•Glenview Mansion — historic house in New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 28m. Total distance: 319.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 28m 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 145.9 miles on Adirondack Northway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.92 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 Altona, 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 1.1 miles (NY 9A / Saw Mill River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.2 miles (I 87 / New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, Saratoga 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 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Altona, NY before the return drive.
