How far is Albany, NY from Niagara Falls, NY?
The driving distance from Albany, NY to Niagara Falls, NY is about 301.7 miles (485.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 270 miles (434.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 57m 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 58m.
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.
Town in New York, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Albany and Niagara Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany and Niagara Falls.
-
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
9.5 mi · 13 min · Youngmann Expressway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 190 North / Niagara Falls
1708 ft · 42 sec · I 190 North / Niagara Falls
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12
Merge slight left onto Niagara Thruway
6.8 mi · 8 min · Niagara Thruway
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13
Continue on North Grand Island Bridge
1.1 km · 58 sec · North Grand Island Bridge
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14
Take the exit slight right toward NY 384: Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls State Park, American Falls State Park
126 m · 14 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Niagara Science Parkway, New York State Park, American Falls
946 ft · 32 sec
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16
Continue on Niagara Scenic Parkway
3.2 mi · 5 min · Niagara Scenic Parkway
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward John B. Daly Boulevard
9 m · 2 sec · John B. Daly Boulevard
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18
Exit the roundabout onto John B. Daly Boulevard
2873 ft · 49 sec · John B. Daly Boulevard
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto Niagara Street
121 m · 11 sec · Niagara Street
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20
Turn right onto 7th Street
2170 ft · 2 min · 7th Street
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21
Turn left onto Pine Avenue
609 ft · 19 sec · Pine Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pine Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Albany and Niagara Falls.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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 Mostly Sunny near Niagara Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Albany to Niagara Falls?
The road trip is about 301.7 miles (485.5 km) and usually takes 05h 58m 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?
Van Buren is a useful midpoint, sitting about 150.5 miles from Albany and 151.1 miles from Niagara Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 270 miles (434.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.7 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 5:02 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.66 one way or $85.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Albany and Mostly Sunny near Niagara Falls.
Stop Ideas Near Van Buren
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 Van Buren.
Empire Expo Center
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Rome station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Albany and Niagara Falls. Straight-line distance: 270.08 mi (434.65 km).
#1 Albany
The capital of New York State.
| Population | 95,429 |
| Coordinates | 42.6525800, -73.7562300 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Niagara Falls
A city in Niagara County, New York.
| Population | 47,392 |
| Coordinates | 43.0945000, -79.0567100 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
End: Niagara Falls (-79.05671, 43.0945)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 485 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $42.66 | $85.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $47.68 | $95.36 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $51.72 | $103.44 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $49.94 | $99.89 |
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.