Origin
Yonkers, NY
Late night in Yonkers on Sunday
Local time
12:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Yonkers, NY to Saranac Lake, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 2m
Distance
291.3 mi
469 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 49m
★
6 AM
6h 2m
8 AM
6h 28m
10 AM
6h 11m
12 PM
6h 9m
3 PM
6h 13m
5 PM
6h 27m
8 PM
5h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Yonkers, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Saranac Lake, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Yonkers to Saranac Lake is 291.3 miles and takes about 6h 2m via New York State Thruway and Adirondack Northway, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This journey takes you from the Northeast region of New York up into the Adirondack Mountains. Expect a drive that involves a mix of highway travel and more winding local roads, characteristic of the region. Given the 6-hour duration, it's a manageable single-day trip if you start early, allowing ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
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
145.7 miles from Yonkers, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 137.7 mi | 2h 43m |
| Adirondack Northway | 97.7 mi | 1h 53m |
| State Highway 73 | 18.7 mi | 27m |
| I 787 | 9 mi | 12m |
| Cascade Road | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| Saranac-Placid Road | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| Old Military Road | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| NY 7 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 137.7 mi, about 2h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yonkers, NY and Saranac Lake, 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 23
Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy
Use 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 9W
Toward NY 7 West: Schenectady, Saratoga Springs
Use 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
98 mi
·
1 hr 53 min
·
Adirondack Northway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 30
Toward US 9, NY 73: Keene, Keene Valley
18
Turn left onto US 9
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 9
19
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 73
11 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 73
20
Continue on NY 9N; NY 73
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 9N
21
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 73
7.2 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 73
22
Continue on NY 73
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Cascade Road
23
Turn slight left onto CR 35
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Old Military Road
24
At end of road, turn left onto NY 86
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Saranac-Placid Road
25
Continue on NY 86
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Lake Flower Avenue
26
At end of road, turn left onto NY 86
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
River Street
27
Turn right onto NY 3; NY 86
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
Church Street
28
Arrive at destination
NY 3; NY 86
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, consider leaving Yonkers in the morning to maximize daylight, especially if you prefer not to drive on unfamiliar local roads after dark. The route includes one recommended stop, so plan to take a break roughly halfway through your journey, perhaps near the end of the New York State Thruway segment. Fuel costs are estimated at $48, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing, as fuel availability might be less frequent once you're deeper into the Adirondack region on State Highway 73. This is a feasible single-day trip, but the 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests being attentive to road conditions and speed limits as you approach Saranac Lake.
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 145.7 miles from Yonkers, NY, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.7 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 64 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.7 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saranac Lake, 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 291.3 miles and 6h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 137.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
146 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 145.7 miles from Yonkers, 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 137.7 miles.
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 205 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 252.6 — 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
252.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 2m in
Take the exit toward US 9, NY 73: Keene, Keene Valley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 30
Toward US 9, NY 73: Keene, Keene Valley
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.95 one way
$95.90 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
102 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $51.85 | $103.70 |
| premium | $4.92 | $56.46 | $112.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $64.32 | $128.63 |
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
$48
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.4 | 1 | $30.59 | $13.98 |
| Efficient EV | 72.8 | 0 | $25.49 | $11.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 116.5 | 1 | $40.78 | $18.64 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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
Saranac Lake, NY
Late night in Saranac Lake on Sunday
Local time
12:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Stockport, NY
146 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
18 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 2m 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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Saratoga National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 170.8
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument
National Monument
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' despite a notable highway share of 12%. You'll experience stretches that are more engaging than a pure interstate cruise. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 137.7 miles on the New York State Thruway, offering a period of consistent speed. However, as you progress, particularly on State Highway 73, anticipate more turns and a change in road personality as you enter the Adirondack region. This blend means you'll get both efficient travel and some more dynamic driving.
Only 12% 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: 137.7 mi on New York State Thruway.
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 Effort
9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 291.3 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.
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 Yonkers, NY and Saranac Lake, NY, road signs point toward Troy, Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls and Keene Valley.
Troy
141.1 mi in
|
~2h 49m
Saratoga Springs
150.7 mi in
|
~3h 3m
Glens Falls
154 mi in
|
~3h 7m
Keene Valley
252.6 mi in
|
~5h 2m
About the Cities
Starting in Yonkers, NY
Full guide →Founded 1646
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 2m. Total distance: 291.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 2m 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 137.7 miles on New York State Thruway. 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.
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 Saranac Lake, 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, 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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saranac Lake, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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