Yonkers to Wanakah is 372.5 miles and takes about 7h 59m via Long Mountain Parkway and I 86, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within New York, taking you from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It’s a straightforward trip that mostly utilizes major highways, making it a practical choice if you need to cover ground efficiently. Plan for a full day of driving, as the 7h 59m estimate doesn't account for any significant stops.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
186.3 miles from Yonkers, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Mountain Parkway
107.6 mi
2h 15m
I 86
100 mi
1h 56m
NY 17
33.7 mi
40m
Genesee Expressway
32.9 mi
37m
New York State Thruway
16.6 mi
22m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
14.9 mi
17m
Big Tree Road
13.2 mi
19m
Varysburg Road
10.9 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
Long Mountain Parkway
— 107.6 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yonkers, NY and Wanakah, 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
17 mi·22 min·New York State Thruway
Use the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 13NToward Palisades Parkway North, Bear MountainUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 18Toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State Thruway
12
Enter roundabout onto US 6
375 ft·5 sec·Long Mountain Parkway
13
Continue on US 6
108 mi·2 hr 14 min·Long Mountain Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on NY 17
34 mi·40 min·NY 17
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
33 mi·37 min·Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
18
Turn left onto NY 36
4.3 mi·7 min·Sonyea Road
19
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi·4 min·Main Street
20
Continue on NY 36
1.3 mi·1 min·Mount Morris Road
21
Turn left onto CR 64
2.3 mi·3 min·Perry Road
22
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi·10 min·Leicester Road
23
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi·8 min·East Buffalo Street
24
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Road
25
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Varysburg Road
26
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Big Tree Road
27
Continue on US 20A; NY 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Main Street
28
Enter roundabout onto US 20A
165 ft·2 sec·Ernst Place
29
Continue on US 20A
138 ft·2 sec·Ernst Place
30
Turn straight onto US 20A
0.2 mi·40 sec·Hamburg Street
31
Turn slight right onto US 20A
5.2 mi·8 min·Quaker Road
32
Continue on US 20A
1.5 mi·2 min·East Quaker Street
33
Continue on US 20A
2.6 mi·4 min·Big Tree Road
34
Turn left onto US 20
4.3 mi·6 min·Southwestern Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
35
Turn right onto Amsdell Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Amsdell Road
36
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5
10 ft·0 sec·Lake Shore Road
37
Arrive at destination
NY 5
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 59m estimated drive time, starting early in the morning from Yonkers is advisable to maximize daylight. With two planned stops, you can break up the 372.5 miles into manageable segments. The longest stretch without a planned stop is over 100 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on those portions. Consider the $61 fuel cost when budgeting for your trip. Since this is a one-day drive, flexibility is on your side, but be mindful of potential traffic as you approach your destination in Wanakah.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 186.3 miles from Yonkers, NY, or about 3h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.6 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 82 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186.3 miles or 3h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wanakah, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Yonkers, NY
This is one driving day of about 372.5 miles and 7h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Yonkers, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Long Mountain Parkway for about 107.6 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 366.7 — 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.
8
20 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain
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 13N
Toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain
6
35.5 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State Thruway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 18
Toward I-87: US 6 West, NY 17, New York State T...
6
310.2 mi into trip|~6h 17m in
Take the exit toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 6
Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
6
366.7 mi into trip|~7h 48m in|US 20 / Southwestern Boulevard
Turn left onto US 20 / Southwestern Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.32 one way
$122.63 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$66.30
$132.60
premium
$4.92
$72.20
$144.40
diesel
$5.61
$82.24
$164.49
Estimated Tolls: $0.83
New York State Thruway
(16.6 mi)$0.83
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
$61
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.8
1
$39.11
$17.88
Efficient EV
93.1
1
$32.59
$14.90
EV Truck/SUV
149
1
$52.15
$23.84
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
44 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Yonkers, NY
Late night
in Yonkers on Sunday
Local time
12:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
N 10 mph54% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Wanakah, NY
Late night
in Wanakah on Sunday
Local time
12:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°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
20 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
7h 59m 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...
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 route is heavily highway-focused, with 78% of the journey on high-speed roads like I 86. You'll experience long stretches of consistent driving, including one segment of 107.6 miles on Long Mountain Parkway. Expect a profile that emphasizes forward momentum rather than winding scenic byways. While the majority is interstate, the use of NY 17 also contributes to the highway feel. This drive is designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.6 mi on Long Mountain Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Mountain Parkway and I 86. 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 20 significant decision points across 372.5 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 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between Yonkers, NY and Wanakah, NY, road signs point toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain, New York State Thruway and Letchworth Park.
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 7h 59m. Total distance: 372.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 59m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107.6 miles on Long Mountain Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.83 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 Wanakah, 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 2 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 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 16.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wanakah, NY before the return drive.
