How far is Grand Island, NY from Albany, NY?
The driving distance from Grand Island, NY to Albany, NY is about 294.8 miles (474.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 265 miles (426.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 21m 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 04h 40m.
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 Onondaga County, New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Grand Island and Albany.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Island and Albany.
-
1
Start on Colonial Drive
743 ft · 38 sec · Colonial Drive
-
2
Turn left onto Homeland Drive
142 m · 26 sec · Homeland Drive
-
3
Turn left onto Baseline Road
1.1 km · 2 min · Baseline Road
-
4
Turn slight left onto Grand Island Boulevard
1.5 mi · 3 min · Grand Island Boulevard
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Grand Island Boulevard
26 m · 2 sec · Grand Island Boulevard
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Grand Island Boulevard
58 m · 4 sec · Grand Island Boulevard
-
7
Continue on South Parkway
917 ft · 18 sec · South Parkway
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8
Take the ramp slight left toward I 190 S
1722 ft · 42 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Niagara Thruway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Niagara Thruway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 290 East: Tonawanda, Rochester
1993 ft · 49 sec
-
11
Continue on Youngmann Expressway
9.5 mi · 13 min · Youngmann Expressway
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East: Albany
1 km · 57 sec
-
13
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
271 mi · 5 hr 13 min · New York State Thruway
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, Montreal
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
15
Keep slight left
4.9 mi · 7 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward US 9: Loudonville, Arbor Hill
1529 ft · 29 sec
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on US 9 South: Arbor Hill, Henry Johnson Boulevard
1488 ft · 28 sec
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18
Turn straight onto US 9
1444 ft · 22 sec · US 9
-
19
Continue on Henry Johnson Boulevard
2809 ft · 1 min · Henry Johnson Boulevard
-
20
Turn left onto Central Avenue
155 m · 17 sec · Central Avenue
-
21
Turn slight left onto Washington Avenue
2658 ft · 1 min · Washington Avenue
-
22
Turn right
9 m · 2 sec
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Grand Island and Albany.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
New York State Thruway
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
271 mi · 05h 13m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Grand Island and Partly Sunny near Albany.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Grand Island to Albany?
The road trip is about 294.8 miles (474.4 km) and usually takes 04h 40m 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?
Seneca Knolls is a useful midpoint, sitting about 146.7 miles from Grand Island and 148.1 miles from Albany.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 265 miles (426.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:38 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.69 one way or $83.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Grand Island and Partly Sunny near Albany.
Stop Ideas Near Seneca Knolls
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Cafe
Syracuse City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Seneca Knolls.
Empire Expo Center
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Rome station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Grand Island and Albany. Straight-line distance: 265.02 mi (426.51 km).
#1 Grand Island
Town in New York
| Population | 21,767 |
| Coordinates | 43.0331100, -78.9625400 |
| Altitude | 178 |
| 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: 474 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $41.69 | $83.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $46.60 | $93.20 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $50.55 | $101.11 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $48.82 | $97.64 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.