Traveling from Yonkers to Amsterdam covers 174.4 miles of Northeast terrain, typically taking about 3 hours and 30 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey fits easily into a single day, you can comfortably make the trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize the New York State Thruway, supplemented by stretches of Saw Mill River Road and NY 30. Expect to budget roughly $28 for fuel to complete the transit. It is a straightforward route that moves you efficiently through New York State, making it a practical choice for those who prefer a single-day excursion over a multi-day haul.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
87.2 miles from Yonkers, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
169.5 mi
3h 19m
Saw Mill River Road
1.4 mi
2m
NY 30
1 mi
1m
Nepperhan Avenue
1 mi
1m
Tuckahoe Road
0.6 mi
1m
Ashburton Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Joseph Jacobs Way
0.1 mi
<1m
Church Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 169.5 mi, about 3h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yonkers, NY and Amsterdam, 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
118 mi·2 hr 15 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
26 mi·29 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 27Toward NY 30: AmsterdamUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on this road
367 ft·12 sec·this road
13
Turn right onto NY 30
1.0 mi·1 min·NY 30
14
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 67
238 ft·8 sec·Church Street
15
Turn right onto Joseph Jacobs Way
0.1 mi·39 sec·Joseph Jacobs Way
Use the right lane.
16
Turn right
355 ft·25 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one stop to break up the 3.5-hour duration and stay alert behind the wheel. Given the reliance on the New York State Thruway, monitor traffic conditions before you depart to avoid potential delays on this major artery. Since the total fuel cost is estimated at $28, filling your tank before hitting the highway can help you maintain momentum. Because this is a manageable day trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule, but avoiding peak commuter hours will make the transition onto the Thruway much easier. Keep a close eye on your navigation when exiting the Thruway onto NY 30 to ensure a seamless arrival in Amsterdam.
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 87.2 miles from Yonkers, NY, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 169.5 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 38 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.2 miles or 1h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Amsterdam, 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 174.4 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 New York State Thruway for about 169.5 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 174.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Nepperhan Avenue
Turn sharp right onto Nepperhan Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
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.
7
172.8 mi into trip|~3h 26m in
Take the exit toward NY 30: Amsterdam
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 27
Toward NY 30: Amsterdam
6
174.3 mi into trip|~3h 29m in|Joseph Jacobs Way
Turn right onto Joseph Jacobs Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.71 one way
$57.41 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$31.04
$62.08
premium
$4.92
$33.80
$67.60
diesel
$5.61
$38.51
$77.01
Estimated Tolls: $8.48
New York State Thruway
(169.5 mi)$8.48
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
$29
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.3
0
$18.31
$8.37
Efficient EV
43.6
0
$15.26
$6.98
EV Truck/SUV
69.8
0
$24.42
$11.16
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Yonkers, NY
Late night
in Yonkers on Sunday
Local time
1:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 6 to 12 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Amsterdam, NY
Late night
in Amsterdam on Sunday
Local time
1:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Ramapo, NY
87 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
47 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
3h 30m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive that balances high-speed transit with more technical maneuvering. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the New York State Thruway, which accounts for the entirety of the highway portion of your journey. In fact, you can anticipate a long, uninterrupted stretch of 169.5 miles once you settle onto the Thruway. While the initial sections involve navigating Saw Mill River Road, the experience shifts as you transition to the fast-paced, high-capacity interstate system. Prepare for a drive that feels like a mix of focused highway cruising and localized road navigation.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 169.5 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 early in the drive near Nepperhan Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 174.4 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: near the start (Nepperhan Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; 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.
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 3h 30m. Total distance: 174.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 169.5 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.48 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 Amsterdam, 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: near the start (Nepperhan Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; 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.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Amsterdam, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
