How far is Cortland, NY from Albany, NY?
The driving distance from Cortland, NY to Albany, NY is about 158.8 miles (255.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 123.3 miles (198.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 32m 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 46m.
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.
City in Otsego County, New York, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cortland and Albany.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cortland and Albany.
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1
Start on Main Street
6 m · 1 sec · Main Street
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2
Turn right onto Clinton Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Clinton Avenue
-
3
Take the exit right toward I 81 South
1016 ft · 25 sec
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4
Merge slight left
21.3 mi · 25 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward NY 79: Whitney Point, Lisle
1858 ft · 42 sec
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6
Turn left
1 mi · 1 min
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7
Turn left onto East Main Street
2670 ft · 45 sec · East Main Street
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8
Continue on State Highway 206
10.3 mi · 15 min · State Highway 206
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9
Continue on Genesee Street
2466 ft · 44 sec · Genesee Street
-
10
Continue on Washington Street
1521 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street
-
11
Continue on Coventry Road
609 ft · 10 sec · Coventry Road
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12
Continue on State Highway 206
6.7 mi · 10 min · State Highway 206
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13
Continue on State Highway 41
1.3 mi · 2 min · State Highway 41
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14
Continue on State Highway 206
6.8 mi · 11 min · State Highway 206
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15
Continue on West Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · West Main Street
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16
Continue on Demarest Avenue
651 ft · 11 sec · Demarest Avenue
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Demarest Avenue
31 m · 2 sec · Demarest Avenue
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Demarest Avenue
131 m · 7 sec · Demarest Avenue
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19
Continue on State Highway 206
780 ft · 18 sec · State Highway 206
-
20
Take the ramp left
2343 ft · 57 sec
-
21
Merge slight left
87.6 mi · 1 hr 41 min
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East: Albany
2339 ft · 44 sec
-
23
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
9.6 mi · 11 min · New York State Thruway
-
24
Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, Montreal
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
25
Keep slight left
4.9 mi · 7 min
-
26
Take the exit slight right toward US 9: Loudonville, Arbor Hill
1529 ft · 29 sec
-
27
Keep slight right to continue on US 9 South: Arbor Hill, Henry Johnson Boulevard
1488 ft · 28 sec
-
28
Turn straight onto US 9
1444 ft · 22 sec · US 9
-
29
Continue on Henry Johnson Boulevard
2809 ft · 1 min · Henry Johnson Boulevard
-
30
Turn left onto Central Avenue
155 m · 17 sec · Central Avenue
-
31
Turn slight left onto Washington Avenue
2658 ft · 1 min · Washington Avenue
-
32
Turn right
9 m · 2 sec
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cortland and Albany.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 206
Merge slight left
87.6 mi · 01h 41m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Cortland and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Albany.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cortland to Albany?
The road trip is about 158.8 miles (255.5 km) and usually takes 02h 46m 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?
Oneonta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.7 miles from Cortland and 80 miles from Albany.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 123.3 miles (198.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.5 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 12:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.45 one way or $44.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Cortland and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Albany.
Stop Ideas Near Oneonta
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 Oneonta.
Union Station
Amsterdam station
Rome station
Schenectady
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cortland and Albany. Straight-line distance: 123.29 mi (198.42 km).
#1 Cortland
City in New York, USA
| Population | 18,455 |
| Coordinates | 42.6011800, -76.1804800 |
| Altitude | 344 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Albany
The capital of New York State.
| Population | 95,429 |
| Coordinates | 42.6525800, -73.7562300 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
End: Washington Avenue (-73.756162, 42.652644)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 255 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $22.45 | $44.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $25.09 | $50.19 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $27.22 | $54.44 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $26.29 | $52.57 |
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.