How far is Ithaca, NY from Amherst, NY?
The driving distance from Ithaca, NY to Amherst, NY is about 148.2 miles (238.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 122.7 miles (197.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 14m 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 37m.
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.
Village in Ontario County, New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ithaca and Amherst.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ithaca and Amherst.
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1
Start on East Seneca Street
1.3 km · 2 min · East Seneca Street
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2
Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard
103 m · 15 sec · Taughannock Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto West Buffalo Street
871 ft · 21 sec · West Buffalo Street
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4
Continue on Cliff Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Cliff Street
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5
Continue on Trumansburg Road
8.7 mi · 13 min · Trumansburg Road
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6
Continue on East Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
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7
Continue on Trumansburg Road
704 ft · 12 sec · Trumansburg Road
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8
Continue on State Highway 96
4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 96
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9
Turn right onto Powell Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Powell Road
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10
Continue on County Road 141
1.4 km · 1 min · County Road 141
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11
Turn left onto State Highway 89
10.1 mi · 14 min · State Highway 89
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12
Turn left onto Ernsberger Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Ernsberger Road
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto Ovid Street
2.8 mi · 4 min · Ovid Street
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14
Turn left onto Townline Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Townline Road
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15
Turn right onto State Highway 96
6.2 mi · 9 min · State Highway 96
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16
Continue on Fayette Street
1281 ft · 37 sec · Fayette Street
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17
Turn right onto West River Street
108 m · 16 sec · West River Street
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18
Turn left onto Washington Street
1639 ft · 28 sec · Washington Street
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19
Continue on South Virginia Street
1.4 km · 1 min · South Virginia Street
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20
Turn left onto North Road
906 ft · 15 sec · North Road
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21
Continue on State Highway 96
6 mi · 9 min · State Highway 96
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22
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90: Lyons, Thruway
1447 ft · 40 sec
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23
Merge slight left
942 ft · 20 sec
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24
Take the exit left
773 ft · 19 sec
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25
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Buffalo
2379 ft · 58 sec
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26
Continue on I 90 West: Buffalo
1219 ft · 30 sec
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27
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
92.5 mi · 1 hr 47 min · New York State Thruway
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28
Take the exit slight right toward I 290: Niagara Falls
2277 ft · 37 sec
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29
Continue on Youngmann Expressway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Youngmann Expressway
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30
Take the exit slight right toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road
1117 ft · 30 sec
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31
Turn left onto Sheridan Drive
1.4 km · 2 min · Sheridan Drive
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32
Turn left onto Millersport Highway
143 m · 14 sec · Millersport Highway
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Millersport Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ithaca and Amherst.
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
92.5 mi · 01h 47m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving Ithaca and Mostly Sunny near Amherst.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ithaca to Amherst?
The road trip is about 148.2 miles (238.5 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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?
Victor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.3 miles from Ithaca and 74.9 miles from Amherst.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 122.7 miles (197.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.5 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 1:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.97 one way or $41.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Ithaca and Mostly Sunny near Amherst.
Stop Ideas Near Victor
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 Victor.
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 Ithaca and Amherst. Straight-line distance: 122.69 mi (197.45 km).
#1 Ithaca
City in New York, USA
| Population | 30,981 |
| Coordinates | 42.4406300, -76.4966100 |
| Altitude | 125 |
| 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: 239 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $20.97 | $41.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $23.44 | $46.87 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $25.42 | $50.85 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $24.55 | $49.10 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.