How far is Amherst, NY from Ballston Spa, NY?

The driving distance from Amherst, NY to Ballston Spa, NY is about 270.8 miles (435.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 250.2 miles (402.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
270.81 mi
05h 24m
Flight
250.18 mi
402.63 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Amherst.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
250.18 mi
Kilometers
402.63 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
270.81 mi
Kilometers
435.83 km
Drive Time
05h 24m

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 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ballston Spa
Thu, Apr 23, 4:19 AM EDT
Return by in Amherst
Thu, Apr 23, 9:44 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Amherst
2026-04-22T22:55
Arrive Ballston Spa
Thu, Apr 23, 4:19 AM EDT
Route Timing
05h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:25 AM to 1:25 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:10 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Amherst
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Seneca Knolls
NY

Census-designated place in Onondaga County, New York

From Amherst
135.1 mi
02h 42m
To Ballston Spa
135.7 mi
02h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NW
Destination
57°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Amherst and Ballston Spa.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Amherst and Ballston Spa.

  1. 1

    Start on Millersport Highway

    1848 ft · 51 sec · Millersport Highway

  2. 2

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 290 E

    1756 ft · 43 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left onto Youngmann Expressway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Youngmann Expressway

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East: Albany

    1 km · 57 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway

    246 mi · 4 hr 44 min · New York State Thruway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward NY 30: Amsterdam

    1.2 km · 2 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    112 m · 13 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right

    1.6 km · 2 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Church Street

    1.5 mi · 5 min · Church Street

  10. 10

    Continue on State Highway 67

    4.5 mi · 7 min · State Highway 67

  11. 11

    Continue on Amsterdam Road

    12.6 mi · 17 min · Amsterdam Road

  12. 12

    Continue on West High Street

    1 km · 1 min · West High Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West High Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Amherst and Ballston Spa.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
13 steps
1 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
New York State Thruway
246 mi · 91%
Amsterdam Road
12.6 mi · 5%
State Highway 67
4.5 mi · 2%
Youngmann Expressway
2.4 mi · 1%
Church Street
1.52 mi · 1%
NY 30
0.84 mi
Longest Stretch

New York State Thruway

Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway

246 mi · 04h 44m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 24m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.6 mi
250.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Seneca Knolls
02h 42m from Amherst
Leave By
6:10 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Amherst and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Ballston Spa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Amherst to Ballston Spa?

The road trip is about 270.8 miles (435.8 km) and usually takes 05h 24m 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?

Seneca Knolls is a useful midpoint, sitting about 135.1 miles from Amherst and 135.7 miles from Ballston Spa.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 250.2 miles (402.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.6 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 6:10 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.33 one way or $76.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Amherst and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Ballston Spa.

Stop Ideas Near Seneca Knolls

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Seneca Knolls and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Cafe
Coffee break 7.2 mi away

City Hall Cafe

Syracuse , NY
300 S State St, Syracuse, NY 13202
Rating 4.6/5 32 reviews Coffee shop
Syracuse City Hall
Meeting point 7.2 mi away

Syracuse City Hall

Syracuse , NY
233 E Washington St, Syracuse, NY 13202
Rating 4.0/5 26 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Seneca Knolls.

RAIL

Empire Expo Center

8 mi away
581 State Fair Blvd
RAIL

William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center

12 mi away
131 Alliance Bank Parkway
RAIL

Rome station

68 mi away
6599 Martin Street
RAIL

Union Station

86 mi away
321 Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Amherst and Ballston Spa. Straight-line distance: 250.18 mi (402.63 km).

Amherst

#1 Amherst

Town in New York, United States

Population120,809
Coordinates42.9783900, -78.7997600
Altitude182
CountryUnited States
Ballston Spa

#2 Ballston Spa

City in Saratoga County, New York, United States of America

Population5,189
Coordinates43.0009100, -73.8490100
Altitude96
CountryUnited States
Start: Amherst (-78.79976, 42.97839)
End: Ballston Spa (-73.84901, 43.00091)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 436 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.56 gal
36.17 L · about $38.33
Round trip
$76.65
19.12 gal · 72.34 L
Estimated CO2
85 kg one way
Round trip: 169.9 kg / 375 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.01 $38.33 $76.65
Mid-grade $4.48 $42.84 $85.68
Premium $4.86 $46.47 $92.94
Diesel $4.69 $44.87 $89.75

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

There is no time difference between Amherst and Ballston Spa. The current time is 22:55:05.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.