How far is Elmira, NY from Albany, NY?
The driving distance from Elmira, NY to Albany, NY is about 194.2 miles (312.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 160.6 miles (258.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 12m 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 06m.
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 Otsego County, New York, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elmira and Albany.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elmira and Albany.
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1
Start on West Church Street
673 ft · 16 sec · West Church Street
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2
Turn right onto Clemens Center Parkway
1037 ft · 25 sec · Clemens Center Parkway
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3
Turn left onto East Water Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Water Street
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4
Take the ramp right
1342 ft · 33 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Southern Tier Expressway
53.5 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Southern Tier Expressway
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6
Take the exit slight left toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
1 mi · 2 min
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7
Merge slight left
1.5 mi · 2 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 East: Albany
117.5 mi · 2 hr 17 min
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East: Albany
2339 ft · 44 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
9.6 mi · 11 min · New York State Thruway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, Montreal
1.2 mi · 2 min
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12
Keep slight left
4.9 mi · 7 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 9: Loudonville, Arbor Hill
1529 ft · 29 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on US 9 South: Arbor Hill, Henry Johnson Boulevard
1488 ft · 28 sec
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15
Turn straight onto US 9
1444 ft · 22 sec · US 9
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16
Continue on Henry Johnson Boulevard
2809 ft · 1 min · Henry Johnson Boulevard
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17
Turn left onto Central Avenue
155 m · 17 sec · Central Avenue
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18
Turn slight left onto Washington Avenue
2658 ft · 1 min · Washington Avenue
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19
Turn right
9 m · 2 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elmira 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.
I 88 East
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 East: Albany
118 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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving Elmira and Chance Rain Showers near Albany.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elmira to Albany?
The road trip is about 194.2 miles (312.6 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?
Unadilla is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.5 miles from Elmira and 97.8 miles from Albany.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 160.6 miles (258.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.6 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 10:48 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.50 one way or $55.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Elmira and Chance Rain Showers near Albany.
Stop Ideas Near Unadilla
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 Unadilla.
Union Station
Rome station
Scranton, PA
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elmira and Albany. Straight-line distance: 160.54 mi (258.36 km).
#1 Elmira
City in Chemung County, New York, USA
| Population | 27,045 |
| Coordinates | 42.0898000, -76.8077300 |
| Altitude | 260 |
| 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: 313 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $27.50 | $55.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $30.74 | $61.48 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $33.35 | $66.69 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $32.20 | $64.40 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.