How far is Albany, NY from Cortland, NY?
The driving distance from Albany, NY to Cortland, NY is about 158.1 miles (254.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 123.3 miles (198.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 39m 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 03h 19m.
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.
City in Otsego County, New York, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Albany and Cortland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany and Cortland.
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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
10.6 mi · 12 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 88, NY 7: Schenectady, Binghamton
1070 ft · 23 sec
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10
Continue straight
2701 ft · 1 min
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11
Continue straight
87.4 mi · 1 hr 41 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward NY 206: Bainbridge
2492 ft · 1 min
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13
Turn right onto Demarest Avenue
132 m · 8 sec · Demarest Avenue
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Demarest Avenue
34 m · 2 sec · Demarest Avenue
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Demarest Avenue
655 ft · 11 sec · Demarest Avenue
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16
Continue on East Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · East Main Street
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17
Continue on State Highway 206
6.8 mi · 11 min · State Highway 206
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18
Continue on State Highway 41
1.3 mi · 2 min · State Highway 41
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19
Continue on State Highway 206
6.7 mi · 10 min · State Highway 206
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20
Continue on Coventry Road
609 ft · 10 sec · Coventry Road
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21
Continue on Washington Street
1521 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street
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22
Continue on Genesee Street
2463 ft · 44 sec · Genesee Street
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23
Continue on State Highway 206
10.3 mi · 15 min · State Highway 206
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24
Continue on East Main Street
2670 ft · 47 sec · East Main Street
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25
Turn right
1.4 km · 1 min
-
26
Take the exit right toward I 81 North
1918 ft · 47 sec
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27
Merge slight left
21.5 mi · 25 min
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28
Take the exit slight right toward NY 13: Cortland
789 ft · 24 sec
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29
Turn left onto Clinton Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Clinton Avenue
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30
Turn left onto Main Street
6 m · 1 sec · Main Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Albany and Cortland.
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 88
Continue straight
87.4 mi · 01h 41m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Albany and Mostly Cloudy near Cortland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Albany to Cortland?
The road trip is about 158.1 miles (254.5 km) and usually takes 03h 19m 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?
Oneonta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.9 miles from Albany and 79.2 miles from Cortland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 123.3 miles (198.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.8 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 10:20 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.37 one way or $44.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Albany and Mostly Cloudy near Cortland.
Stop Ideas Near Oneonta
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Oneonta.
Union Station
Amsterdam station
Rome station
Schenectady
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Albany and Cortland. Straight-line distance: 123.29 mi (198.42 km).
#1 Albany
The capital of New York State.
| Population | 95,429 |
| Coordinates | 42.6525800, -73.7562300 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cortland
City in New York, USA
| Population | 18,455 |
| Coordinates | 42.6011800, -76.1804800 |
| Altitude | 344 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cortland (-76.18048, 42.60118)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 254 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $22.37 | $44.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $25.00 | $50.01 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $27.12 | $54.25 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $26.19 | $52.39 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.