How far is Beacon, NY from Amherst, NY?
The driving distance from Beacon, NY to Amherst, NY is about 356.9 miles (574.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 267.2 miles (430 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 05m 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 32m.
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.
Human settlement in Cortland County, New York, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Patchy Fog
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Beacon and Amherst.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beacon and Amherst.
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1
Start on Main Street
2610 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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2
Turn right onto North Avenue
1 km · 2 min · North Avenue
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3
Continue on North Road
839 ft · 31 sec · North Road
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4
Take the ramp left toward I 84 West, NY 52 West: Newburgh Beacon Bridge, Newburgh
1613 ft · 46 sec
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5
Merge slight left
6.8 mi · 8 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward NY 17K: Montgomery, Newburgh
1226 ft · 30 sec
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7
Turn right
6.9 mi · 10 min
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8
Turn slight left onto State Highway 17K
10 mi · 14 min · State Highway 17K
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9
Take the ramp sharp right toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Wurtsboro, Binghamton
1502 ft · 37 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
109.5 mi · 2 hr 17 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
1.8 mi · 2 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Syracuse
37.4 mi · 44 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward NY 13: Cortland
789 ft · 22 sec
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14
Turn right onto Clinton Avenue
12 m · 5 sec · Clinton Avenue
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15
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Locust Avenue
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16
Continue on Albany Street
3055 ft · 1 min · Albany Street
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Main Street
2126 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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18
Turn left onto Clinton Street
10.5 mi · 15 min · Clinton Street
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19
Continue on East Lake Road
2904 ft · 49 sec · East Lake Road
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20
Continue on State Route 41
4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
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21
Continue on East Lake Road
9.4 mi · 14 min · East Lake Road
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22
Continue on East Lake Street
2676 ft · 48 sec · East Lake Street
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23
Turn left onto East Genesee Street
7.3 mi · 14 min · East Genesee Street
-
24
Turn right onto North Fulton Street
815 ft · 13 sec · North Fulton Street
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25
Turn left onto Arterial West
1931 ft · 1 min · Arterial West
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26
Continue on Chase Street
9.8 mi · 11 min · Chase Street
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27
Continue on Auburn Road
1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
-
28
Turn right
4.1 mi · 7 min
-
29
Continue straight
97 m · 10 sec
-
30
Turn right onto State Route 414
1557 ft · 29 sec · State Route 414
-
31
Continue on Ridge Road
66 m · 11 sec · Ridge Road
-
32
Take the ramp left
945 ft · 23 sec
-
33
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Buffalo
3202 ft · 1 min
-
34
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
99.6 mi · 1 hr 55 min · New York State Thruway
-
35
Take the exit slight right toward I 290: Niagara Falls
2277 ft · 37 sec
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36
Continue on Youngmann Expressway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Youngmann Expressway
-
37
Take the exit slight right toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road
1117 ft · 30 sec
-
38
Turn left onto Sheridan Drive
1.4 km · 2 min · Sheridan Drive
-
39
Turn left onto Millersport Highway
143 m · 14 sec · Millersport Highway
-
40
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Millersport Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Beacon and Amherst.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 86 West
Merge slight left
110 mi · 02h 17m
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 Beacon and Patchy Fog near Amherst.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Beacon to Amherst?
The road trip is about 356.9 miles (574.4 km) and usually takes 05h 32m 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?
Lapeer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 165 miles from Beacon and 191.9 miles from Amherst.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 267.2 miles (430 km), while the road route adds roughly 89.7 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 5:54 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $50.51 one way or $101.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 112 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Beacon and Patchy Fog near Amherst.
Stop Ideas Near Lapeer
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 Lapeer.
Empire Expo Center
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Rome station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Beacon and Amherst. Straight-line distance: 267.17 mi (429.97 km).
#1 Beacon
City in Dutchess County, New York, United States
| Population | 13,930 |
| Coordinates | 41.5048200, -73.9695800 |
| Altitude | 42 |
| 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: 574 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $50.51 | $101.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $56.46 | $112.92 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $61.25 | $122.50 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $59.14 | $118.29 |
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.