This 307-mile journey from Yonkers, NY, to Cumberland Head, NY, is a manageable one-day drive, estimated to take around 6 hours and 9 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the Adirondack Northway and the New York State Thruway, with a portion on I-787. With a fuel cost estimated at $50, this trip is budget-friendly for a single day's travel. The route, categorized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggests a more engaging experience than a simple interstate cruise. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, keeping the travel geographically focused.
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
153.5 miles from Yonkers, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Adirondack Northway
149.6 mi
2h 53m
New York State Thruway
137.7 mi
2h 43m
I 787
9 mi
12m
NY 7
3.1 mi
3m
Saw Mill River Road
1.4 mi
2m
Nepperhan Avenue
1 mi
1m
Commodore Thomas Macdonough Highway
0.9 mi
1m
Cumberland Head Road
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Adirondack Northway
— 149.6 mi, about 2h 53m
Traffic on I-87
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 27 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,012 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,652
Quietest
1 AM
~92 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Yonkers, NY and Cumberland Head, 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
150 mi·2 hr 53 min·Adirondack Northway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 39Toward Cumberland Head, Plattsburgh Bay
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
19
Turn straight onto NY 314
515 ft·12 sec·Moffitt Road
20
Continue on Commodore Thomas Macdonough Highway
0.9 mi·1 min·Commodore Thomas Macdonough Highway
21
Continue on Commodore Thomas MacDonough Highway
484 ft·9 sec·Commodore Thomas MacDonough Highway
22
Turn slight right onto Cumberland Head Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Cumberland Head Road
23
Turn left onto Cayuga Road
491 ft·21 sec·Cayuga Road
24
Turn straight onto Seneca Drive
208 ft·10 sec·Seneca Drive
25
Turn right onto Oswego Lane
323 ft·18 sec·Oswego Lane
26
Turn left onto Mohawk Road
436 ft·24 sec·Mohawk Road
27
Turn left onto Tioga Lane
0.1 mi·31 sec·Tioga Lane
28
Arrive at destination
Tioga Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour duration, starting your drive in Yonkers early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic. While this route is feasible in a single day, with only one recommended stop, you have flexibility. Consider breaking up the 149.6-mile stretch on the Adirondack Northway if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $50 estimate is based on the total mileage, and planning your refueling stops along the main roads like the Adirondack Northway will be key.
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 153.5 miles from Yonkers, NY, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 149.6 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 68 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.5 miles or 3h 7m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cumberland Head, 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 307 miles and 6h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 149.6 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 304.5 — 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
304.5 mi into trip|~6h 2m in
Take the exit toward Cumberland Head, Plattsburgh Bay
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 39
Toward Cumberland Head, Plattsburgh Bay
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.66 one way
$99.33 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$53.89
$107.79
premium
$4.85
$58.60
$117.19
diesel
$4.80
$57.97
$115.93
Estimated Tolls: $6.89
New York State Thruway
(137.7 mi)$6.89
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
$50
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.1
1
$32.24
$14.74
Efficient EV
76.8
0
$26.86
$12.28
EV Truck/SUV
122.8
1
$42.98
$19.65
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Yonkers, NY
Afternoon
in Yonkers on Sunday
Local time
1:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Patchy Smoke
NW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 2:45PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Cumberland Head, NY
Afternoon
in Cumberland Head on Sunday
Local time
1:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
NW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 2:45PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
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
10 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 9m 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...
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...
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 169.4
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 dynamic driving experience on this route, with a highway share of 4. This isn't a straight shot; the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile indicates you'll encounter frequent changes in direction. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 149.6 miles on the Adirondack Northway, offering a good period of consistent travel. As you progress, the road is likely to transition between more open highway sections and more intricate local roads, requiring your attention to navigate.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 149.6 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 19 significant decision points across 307 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
928 ft86 ft
Total Climb
1,322 ft
Total Descent
1,266 ft
Highest Point
928 ft
~241.2 mi in
Elevation Range
843 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 Cumberland Head, NY, road signs point toward Troy, Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls.
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 9m. Total distance: 307 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 9m 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 149.6 miles on Adirondack Northway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.89 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 25 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 Cumberland Head, 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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, General Grant National Memorial and Saratoga 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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cumberland Head, NY before the return drive.
