How far is Albany, NY from Elma, NY?
The driving distance from Albany, NY to Elma, NY is about 281.4 miles (452.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 248.1 miles (399.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 16m 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 05h 38m.
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.
Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Albany and Elma.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany and Elma.
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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
263.9 mi · 5 hr 5 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Clarence Service Area
43 m · 3 sec
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10
Turn slight right
946 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn right
17 m · 6 sec
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12
Turn right
3262 ft · 4 min
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto Ransom Road
1.9 mi · 4 min · Ransom Road
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14
Turn right onto Walden Avenue
2.3 mi · 4 min · Walden Avenue
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15
Turn left onto Cemetery Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Cemetery Road
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto Broadway Street
1287 ft · 30 sec · Broadway Street
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17
Turn left onto Bowen Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · Bowen Road
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Bowen Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Albany and Elma.
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
264 mi · 05h 05m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Albany and Partly Sunny near Elma.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Albany to Elma?
The road trip is about 281.4 miles (452.8 km) and usually takes 05h 38m 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 140.4 miles from Albany and 141 miles from Elma.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 248.1 miles (399.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.3 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 5:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.81 one way or $79.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Albany and Partly Sunny near Elma.
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 Elma. Straight-line distance: 248.14 mi (399.34 km).
#1 Albany
The capital of New York State.
| Population | 95,429 |
| Coordinates | 42.6525800, -73.7562300 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elma
City in New York, United States of America
| Population | 11,752 |
| Coordinates | 42.8508900, -78.6403000 |
| Altitude | 217 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elma (-78.6403, 42.85089)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 453 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $39.81 | $79.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $44.50 | $88.99 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $48.27 | $96.54 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $46.61 | $93.22 |
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 · May 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.