Origin
Yonkers, NY
Late night in Yonkers on Sunday
Local time
1:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Yonkers, NY to Schenectady, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 12m
Distance
158.2 mi
255 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 1m
★
6 AM
3h 12m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 18m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Yonkers, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Schenectady, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 158.2-mile drive from Yonkers, NY, to Schenectady, NY, is estimated to take around 3 hours and 12 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily be on the New York State Thruway, with some time on I-890 and Saw Mill River Road. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is $26. Given its relatively short duration and straightforward path, it's an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. This route stays within the Northeast region, connecting two points within New York State.
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
79.1 miles from Yonkers, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 149.6 mi | 2h 56m |
| I 890 | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Saw Mill River Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Nepperhan Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| Tuckahoe Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Clinton Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Broadway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Ashburton Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 149.6 mi, about 2h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yonkers, NY and Schenectady, 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
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
New York State Thruway
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 25
Toward I 890, NY 146, NY 7: Schenectady
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on I 890; NY 7
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
I 890; NY 7
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward Broadway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
213 ft
·
5 sec
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
Broadway
17
Turn right onto Clinton Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Clinton Street
18
Turn left onto Franklin Street
261 ft
·
9 sec
·
Franklin Street
19
Turn right onto Jay Street
217 ft
·
6 sec
·
Jay Street
20
Arrive at destination
Jay Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour, 158.2-mile trip, starting early in the morning will help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you leave the Yonkers area. You'll have one primary recommended stop, so plan your break strategically along the New York State Thruway. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, it's a budget-friendly journey. Keep an eye out for the transitions as you move from the Thruway onto I-890 and Saw Mill River Road, as these are where the 'turn-heavy' nature of the drive becomes most apparent. This short drive offers flexibility, so you can adjust your pace as needed.
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 79.1 miles from Yonkers, NY, or about 1h 38m 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 35 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.1 miles or 1h 38m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Schenectady, 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 158.2 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 149.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 79.1 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 149.6 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 157.3 — 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
152.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 890, NY 146, NY 7: Schenectady
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 25
Toward I 890, NY 146, NY 7: Schenectady
8
157.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Broadway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Broadway
7
157.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.04 one way
$52.08 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $28.16 | $56.32 |
| premium | $4.92 | $30.66 | $61.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.93 | $69.86 |
Estimated Tolls: $7.48
New York State Thruway
(149.6 mi)
$7.48
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
$26
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.5 | 0 | $16.61 | $7.59 |
| Efficient EV | 39.6 | 0 | $13.84 | $6.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.3 | 0 | $22.15 | $10.12 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Schenectady, NY
Late night in Schenectady on Sunday
Local time
1:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°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.
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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 12m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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
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
Federal Hall National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
17 mi from route
~41 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?
Expect a drive that's characterized by a fair number of turns, blending highway speeds with local road navigation. While a significant portion of your journey, 149.6 miles, will be on the New York State Thruway, the overall profile leans towards a 'turn-heavy local drive.' This suggests that while you'll experience some uninterrupted highway stretches, you'll also encounter more frequent changes in direction and speed as you transition between major roads and local access. The highway share is moderate, indicating a balanced experience rather than a pure interstate grind.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 149.6 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 around 1.1 miles in near NY 9A / Saw Mill River Road.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 158.2 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 152.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
Arriving in Schenectady, NY
Full guide →Founded 1765
Schenectady, once called the city that lights and hauls the world, is in the Hudson Valley region of New York. Approximately 20 minutes from New York's capital of Albany, Schenectady is best known as the birthplace of General Electric and for Proctor's Theater. Schenectady has also been working on a successful project to revitalize its downtown.
Top landmarks
- • Proctor's Theatre — theater and movie theater in Schenectady, New York, United States
- • General Electric Realty Plot — human settlement in Schenectady, New York, United States of America
- • Stockade Historic District — human settlement in Schenectady, New York, United States of America
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 3h 12m. Total distance: 158.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 149.6 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.48 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 Schenectady, 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 152.9 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 Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Schenectady, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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