How far is Cortland, NY from Amherst, NY?
The driving distance from Cortland, NY to Amherst, NY is about 177.4 miles (285.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.3 miles (217.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 29m 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 44m.
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.
Town in New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cortland and Amherst.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cortland and Amherst.
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1
Start on Main Street
1892 ft · 51 sec · Main Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Main Street
1597 ft · 48 sec · North Main Street
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3
Turn right onto Homer Avenue
1815 ft · 51 sec · Homer Avenue
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4
Continue on South Main Street
999 ft · 31 sec · South Main Street
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5
Turn left onto Fisher Avenue
2640 ft · 1 min · Fisher Avenue
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6
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Homer Road
1.4 km · 2 min · West Homer Road
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7
Continue on South West Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · South West Street
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8
Turn left onto Clinton Street
9.8 mi · 14 min · Clinton Street
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9
Continue on East Lake Road
2904 ft · 49 sec · East Lake Road
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10
Continue on State Route 41
4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
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11
Continue on East Lake Road
9.4 mi · 14 min · East Lake Road
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12
Continue on East Lake Street
2676 ft · 48 sec · East Lake Street
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13
Turn left onto East Genesee Street
7.3 mi · 14 min · East Genesee Street
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14
Turn right onto North Fulton Street
815 ft · 13 sec · North Fulton Street
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15
Turn left onto Arterial West
1931 ft · 1 min · Arterial West
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16
Continue on Chase Street
9.8 mi · 11 min · Chase Street
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17
Continue on Auburn Road
1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
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18
Turn right
4.1 mi · 7 min
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19
Continue straight
97 m · 10 sec
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20
Turn right onto State Route 414
1557 ft · 29 sec · State Route 414
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21
Continue on Ridge Road
66 m · 11 sec · Ridge Road
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22
Take the ramp left
945 ft · 23 sec
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23
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Buffalo
3202 ft · 1 min
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24
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
99.6 mi · 1 hr 55 min · New York State Thruway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward I 290: Niagara Falls
2277 ft · 37 sec
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26
Continue on Youngmann Expressway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Youngmann Expressway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road
1117 ft · 30 sec
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28
Turn left onto Sheridan Drive
1.4 km · 2 min · Sheridan Drive
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29
Turn left onto Millersport Highway
143 m · 14 sec · Millersport Highway
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Millersport Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cortland and Amherst.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
New York State Thruway
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
99.6 mi · 01h 55m
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 Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Amherst.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cortland to Amherst?
The road trip is about 177.4 miles (285.5 km) and usually takes 02h 44m 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?
Farmington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.1 miles from Cortland and 99.3 miles from Amherst.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.3 miles (217.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.1 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 1:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.10 one way or $50.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Cortland and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Amherst.
Stop Ideas Near Farmington
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 Farmington.
Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station
Empire Expo Center
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Buffalo–Depew station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cortland and Amherst. Straight-line distance: 135.33 mi (217.8 km).
#1 Cortland
City in New York, USA
| Population | 18,455 |
| Coordinates | 42.6011800, -76.1804800 |
| Altitude | 344 |
| 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: 285 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $25.10 | $50.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $28.05 | $56.10 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $30.43 | $60.86 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $29.38 | $58.77 |
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.