How far is Albany, NY from Amherst, NY?
The driving distance from Albany, NY to Amherst, NY is about 284 miles (457.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 256.6 miles (412.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 17m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in Onondaga County, New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Albany and Amherst.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany and Amherst.
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1
Start on the route
9 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn left onto Washington Avenue
2407 ft · 1 min · Washington Avenue
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3
Keep slight right to continue on Central Avenue
745 ft · 25 sec · Central Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Henry Johnson Boulevard
1.3 km · 2 min · Henry Johnson Boulevard
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90: Buffalo, Boston
1373 ft · 21 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West
2801 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left
5.1 mi · 7 min
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8
Keep slight left
272 mi · 5 hr 15 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 290: Niagara Falls
2277 ft · 37 sec
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10
Continue on Youngmann Expressway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Youngmann Expressway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road
1117 ft · 30 sec
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12
Turn left onto Sheridan Drive
1.4 km · 2 min · Sheridan Drive
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13
Turn left onto Millersport Highway
143 m · 14 sec · Millersport Highway
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Millersport Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Albany and Amherst.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 90 West
Keep slight left
272 mi · 05h 15m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Albany and Sunny near Amherst.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Albany to Amherst?
The road trip is about 284 miles (457.1 km) and usually takes 04h 17m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mattydale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 141.1 miles from Albany and 143 miles from Amherst.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 256.6 miles (412.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.17 one way or $80.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Albany and Sunny near Amherst.
Stop Ideas Near Mattydale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Cafe
Syracuse City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mattydale.
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Empire Expo Center
Rome station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Albany and Amherst. Straight-line distance: 256.57 mi (412.91 km).
#1 Albany
The capital of New York State.
| Population | 95,429 |
| Coordinates | 42.6525800, -73.7562300 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Amherst
Town in New York, United States
| Population | 120,809 |
| Coordinates | 42.9783900, -78.7997600 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| Country | United States |
End: Millersport Highway (-78.799874, 42.978447)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 457 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $40.17 | $80.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $44.90 | $89.80 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $48.71 | $97.41 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $47.03 | $94.07 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in New York · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.