How far is Colonie, NY from Elmhurst, NY?
The driving distance from Colonie, NY to Elmhurst, NY is about 161.7 miles (260.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136.9 miles (220.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 55m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Ulster County, New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Colonie and Elmhurst.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonie and Elmhurst.
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1
Start on Central Avenue
2604 ft · 60 sec · Central Avenue
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2
Take the ramp slight right toward I 87 South
1839 ft · 1 min
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3
Merge slight left onto Adirondack Northway
2537 ft · 39 sec · Adirondack Northway
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4
Keep slight right to continue on I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
1694 ft · 32 sec
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5
Continue on I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
2619 ft · 51 sec
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 87 South: New York
117.8 mi · 2 hr 17 min
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
1.5 km · 60 sec
-
8
Continue straight
2496 ft · 39 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on NJ 17 South: Mahwah
14.1 mi · 19 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
566 ft · 19 sec
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
2455 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left
1417 ft · 24 sec
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13
Continue straight
6.4 mi · 9 min
-
14
Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
1124 ft · 18 sec
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15
Merge slight left
1.2 km · 55 sec
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16
Keep slight left
1.3 km · 1 min
-
17
Continue on George Washington Bridge (upper level)
3174 ft · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
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18
Continue on Trans-Manhattan Expressway
1.2 km · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany, Yankee Stadium
1177 ft · 29 sec
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on I 87 South: Queens
2122 ft · 58 sec
-
21
Merge slight left onto Major Deegan Expressway
2.8 mi · 4 min · Major Deegan Expressway
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on I 278 West: RFK Bridge, Manhattan, Queens
1846 ft · 50 sec
-
23
Continue on Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
2.3 mi · 4 min · Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
-
24
Continue on Grand Central Parkway
1.3 km · 2 min · Grand Central Parkway
-
25
Keep slight right to continue on Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
1.3 mi · 2 min · Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
-
26
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Roosevelt Avenue
622 ft · 17 sec
-
27
Keep slight left to continue on Broadway East, 69th Street, Roosevelt Avenue, 37th Avenue
80 m · 9 sec
-
28
Turn left onto Broadway
1.4 mi · 5 min · Broadway
-
29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Colonie and Elmhurst.
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 87 South
Keep slight right to continue on I 87 South: New York
118 mi · 02h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Colonie and Partly Cloudy near Elmhurst.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Colonie to Elmhurst?
The road trip is about 161.7 miles (260.2 km) and usually takes 02h 55m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Clintondale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.8 miles from Colonie and 83.8 miles from Elmhurst.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 136.9 miles (220.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.85 one way or $45.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Colonie and Partly Cloudy near Elmhurst.
Stop Ideas Near Clintondale
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 Clintondale.
Poughkeepsie station
Rhinecliff–Kingston station
Croton–Harmon station
Hudson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Colonie and Elmhurst. Straight-line distance: 136.92 mi (220.35 km).
#1 Colonie
Town in Albany County, New York, United States
| Population | 7,564 |
| Coordinates | 42.7178600, -73.8334600 |
| Altitude | 95 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elmhurst
Elmhurst is a place in New York, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.7364900, -73.8779100 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
End: Grand Avenue (-73.877923, 40.736497)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 260 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $22.85 | $45.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $25.54 | $51.08 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $27.71 | $55.42 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $26.76 | $53.51 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.