Yonkers to Youngstown is 402.1 miles and takes about 8h 33m via New York State Thruway, Long Mountain Parkway, and I 81, with a fuel budget near $67 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. With a recommended two days for the drive, you'll have ample time to break up the 8.5-hour travel time. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads as you make your way across the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
201.1 miles from Yonkers, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
116.2 mi
2h 17m
Long Mountain Parkway
107.6 mi
2h 15m
I 81
39.3 mi
46m
NY 17
33.7 mi
40m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
14.9 mi
17m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
Chase Street
9.8 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 116.2 mi, about 2h 17m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~952 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,382
Quietest
2 AM
~95 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 17 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 Youngstown, 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 right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
18
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
19
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
20
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
21
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
22
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
23
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
24
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
25
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
26
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
27
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
28
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
29
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
30
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
31
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
32
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
33
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
34
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
35
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
36
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
37
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
38
Merge onto I 90
100 mi·1 hr 55 min·New York State Thruway
39
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on I 290
9.5 mi·12 min·Youngmann Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight right at fork onto I 190 North / Niagara Falls
0.3 mi·41 sec·I 190 North / Niagara Falls
Toward I 190 North: Niagara FallsUse the slight right lane.
42
Merge onto I 190
6.8 mi·8 min·Niagara Thruway
43
Continue on I 190
0.8 mi·1 min·North Grand Island Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Continue on I 190
462 ft·7 sec·Niagara Thruway
45
Continue on I 190
6.2 mi·7 min·Niagara Expressway
46
Take the exit
0.1 mi·35 sec
Exit 25AToward NY 265: LewistonUse the slight right lane.
47
Turn left onto NY 265
0.8 mi·1 min·Military Road
48
Turn right onto NY 104
0.4 mi·40 sec·Lewiston Road
49
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 104
0.7 mi·1 min·Lewiston Road
50
Turn slight left
0.2 mi·39 sec
51
Turn straight onto Niagara Scenic Parkway
5.0 mi·6 min·Niagara Scenic Parkway
52
Turn slight right
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward NY 93: Youngstown
53
Turn left onto NY 93
415 ft·8 sec·Lockport Road
54
Continue on NY 93
1.0 mi·1 min·Lockport Street
55
Turn left onto NY 18F
0.2 mi·23 sec·Main Street
56
Arrive at destination
NY 18F
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour drive time, splitting this trip over two days is recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight driving. Plan for at least two stops to refuel and stretch, especially before embarking on the longest 116.2-mile highway stretch. While the fuel cost is estimated at $67, it's always wise to budget a little extra. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly when transitioning from highway to surface roads, as fuel availability can vary.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 201.1 miles from Yonkers, NY, or about 4h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.2 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 88 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201.1 miles or 4h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 201.1 miles or 4h 11m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Youngstown, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Yonkers, NY
Aim for roughly 201 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Youngstown, NY
Aim for roughly 201 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Yonkers, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 116.2 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 35
5 decision points cluster between mile 20 and 378.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
7
268.6 mi into trip|~5h 49m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
268.8 mi into trip|~5h 49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 West: Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
7
369 mi into trip|~7h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 290: Niagara Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 50
Toward I 290: Niagara Falls
7
378.9 mi into trip|~8h in|I 190 North / Niagara Falls
Keep slight right at fork onto I 190 North / Niagara Falls toward I 190 North: Niagara Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 190 North: Niagara Falls
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$70.38 one way
$140.77 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$76.27
$152.54
premium
$5.23
$82.79
$165.59
diesel
$6.28
$99.35
$198.71
Estimated Tolls: $6.15
New York State Thruway
(116.2 mi)$5.81
Niagara Thruway
(6.9 mi)$0.34
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
$70
Tolls
$6
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
120.6
1
$42.22
$19.30
Efficient EV
100.5
1
$35.18
$16.08
EV Truck/SUV
160.8
2
$56.29
$25.73
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Yonkers, NY
Evening
in Yonkers on Friday
Local time
8:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Mostly Clear
N 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Youngstown, NY
Evening
in Youngstown on Friday
Local time
8:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Clear
SW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
36°F
Hamilton, NY
201 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
1 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
8h 33m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 249.6
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 263.5
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 56% highway, featuring a significant stretch of 116.2 miles on the New York State Thruway. Beyond that, you'll transition to mostly surface roads. Expect a significant portion of your driving to be on major interstates, interspersed with periods of more local road travel as you approach your destination. The long highway segment suggests a stretch of consistent cruising before you begin navigating more varied road types.
Only 56% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
56 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.2 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 20 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 35 significant decision points across 402.1 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 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 268.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 268.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,643 ft86 ft
Total Climb
2,596 ft
Total Descent
2,386 ft
Highest Point
1,643 ft
~229.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,557 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 Youngstown, NY, road signs point toward New York State Thruway and Albany.
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
Youngstown is the northwesternmost community in the state of New York. Its strategic location at the mouth of the Niagara River, on the border with Canada, made it a prime site for fortifications, the last of which has stood just north of the village since 1726.
Top landmarks
•Fort Niagara Light — lighthouse in New York, United States
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.2 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 201 miles on day one.
Expect about $6.15 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 Youngstown, 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. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 268.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 268.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Women's Rights National Historical Park and Hamilton Grange National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.6 hours each way, a round trip means 17.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Youngstown, NY before the return drive.
