How far is Elmhurst, NY from Colonie, NY?
The driving distance from Elmhurst, NY to Colonie, NY is about 155.9 miles (250.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136.9 miles (220.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 34m 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 03h 17m.
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.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elmhurst and Colonie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elmhurst and Colonie.
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1
Start on Grand Avenue
27 m · 7 sec · Grand Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Queens Boulevard
1673 ft · 1 min · Queens Boulevard
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3
Turn slight right
66 m · 8 sec
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4
Turn left onto Queens Boulevard
1.1 km · 2 min · Queens Boulevard
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5
Take the ramp straight toward I 278 East: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
770 ft · 19 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
1.5 km · 2 min · Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
1.1 mi · 2 min · Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
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8
Merge slight left onto Grand Central Parkway
1.2 km · 1 min · Grand Central Parkway
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9
Continue on Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
1.6 mi · 3 min · Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Manhattan, Randalls Island
821 ft · 20 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Manhattan, Randalls Island
2737 ft · 1 min
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12
Continue on Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
1857 ft · 42 sec · Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Harlem River Drive North, 125th Street, 2nd Avenue
39 m · 4 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Harlem River Drive North
1962 ft · 53 sec
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15
Merge slight right onto Harlem River Drive
2.3 mi · 4 min · Harlem River Drive
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16
Take the exit slight left toward I 95 South, US 1 South: George Washington Bridge, Amsterdam Avenue, West 179 Street
2580 ft · 1 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 95 South: George Washington Bridge
745 ft · 18 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South, US 1 South: George Washington Bridge (Upper Level)
549 ft · 13 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Trans-Manhattan Expressway
2220 ft · 42 sec · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
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20
Continue on George Washington Bridge (upper level)
3167 ft · 60 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
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21
Continue straight
2659 ft · 48 sec
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22
Keep slight left
3214 ft · 39 sec
-
23
Keep slight left
559 ft · 9 sec
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
1270 ft · 23 sec
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25
Keep slight right to continue on NJ 4 West: Paramus
970 ft · 24 sec
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26
Merge slight right
6.7 mi · 9 min
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27
Take the exit straight toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, Mahwah
951 ft · 26 sec
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28
Keep slight right to continue on NJ 17 North: Mahwah
1302 ft · 37 sec
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29
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
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30
Continue straight
7.3 mi · 10 min
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31
Continue straight
1.2 km · 50 sec
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32
Continue straight
3.3 mi · 4 min
-
33
Continue straight
877 ft · 11 sec
-
34
Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
117.5 mi · 2 hr 16 min
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35
Keep slight right to continue on I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, Montreal
1.4 km · 3 min
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36
Keep slight right
1.9 mi · 3 min
-
37
Take the exit slight right toward NY 5 West: Schenectady
1522 ft · 52 sec
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38
Turn straight onto Central Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Central Avenue
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39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elmhurst and Colonie.
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 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
118 mi · 02h 16m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Elmhurst and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Colonie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elmhurst to Colonie?
The road trip is about 155.9 miles (250.9 km) and usually takes 03h 17m 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?
Clintondale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78 miles from Elmhurst and 77.9 miles from Colonie.
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 19 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 10:26 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.05 one way or $44.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Elmhurst and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Colonie.
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 Elmhurst and Colonie. Straight-line distance: 136.92 mi (220.35 km).
#1 Elmhurst
Elmhurst is a place in New York, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.7364900, -73.8779100 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Colonie
Town in Albany County, New York, United States
| Population | 7,564 |
| Coordinates | 42.7178600, -73.8334600 |
| Altitude | 95 |
| Country | United States |
End: Colonie (-73.83346, 42.71786)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 251 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $22.05 | $44.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $24.65 | $49.29 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $26.74 | $53.47 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $25.82 | $51.63 |
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.