How far is Lake Placid, NY from Essex, NY?
The driving distance from Lake Placid, NY to Essex, NY is about 42.9 miles (69.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 31.2 miles (50.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 22m 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 01h 11m.
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.
Human settlement in Essex County, New York, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Placid and Essex.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Placid and Essex.
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1
Start on Spring Street
112 m · 21 sec · Spring Street
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2
Turn left onto Colden Avenue
92 m · 14 sec · Colden Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Mill Pond Drive
100 m · 9 sec · Mill Pond Drive
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Main Street
73 m · 7 sec · South Main Street
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5
Continue on Sentinel Road
2216 ft · 57 sec · Sentinel Road
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6
Continue on Cascade Road
6.4 mi · 10 min · Cascade Road
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7
Continue on State Highway 73
7.2 mi · 10 min · State Highway 73
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8
Turn straight onto State Highway 9N
1.8 mi · 3 min · State Highway 9N
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9
Continue on State Highway 9N
9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 9N
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10
Continue on Route 9N
1152 ft · 21 sec · Route 9N
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11
Turn left onto Water Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · Water Street
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12
Continue on River Street
2220 ft · 38 sec · River Street
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13
Turn left onto State Highway 9N
4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 9N
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14
Turn left onto Youngs Road
2.6 mi · 10 min · Youngs Road
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15
Turn right onto Elizabethtown-Wadhams Road
570 ft · 16 sec · Elizabethtown-Wadhams Road
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16
Continue on State Highway 22
4.7 mi · 7 min · State Highway 22
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17
Continue on Station Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Station Road
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18
Continue on Station Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Station Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Station Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Placid and Essex.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 9N
Continue on State Highway 9N
9.04 mi · 00h 12m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Lake Placid and Rain Showers Likely near Essex.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Placid to Essex?
The road trip is about 42.9 miles (69.1 km) and usually takes 01h 11m 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?
Elizabethtown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.4 miles from Lake Placid and 21.5 miles from Essex.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31.2 miles (50.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.7 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 4:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.05 one way or $12.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Lake Placid and Rain Showers Likely near Essex.
Stop Ideas Near Elizabethtown
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 Elizabethtown.
Westport station
Port Henry station
Lake Placid, New York
Port Kent station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Placid and Essex. Straight-line distance: 31.19 mi (50.2 km).
#1 Lake Placid
Town in Essex County, New York, United States
| Population | 2,356 |
| Coordinates | 44.2796200, -73.9819800 |
| Altitude | 549 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Essex
Town in Essex County, New York
| Population | 630 |
| Coordinates | 44.3100500, -73.3526300 |
| Altitude | 38 |
| Country | United States |
End: Essex (-73.35263, 44.31005)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 69 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $6.05 | $12.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $6.77 | $13.53 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $7.34 | $14.68 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $7.09 | $14.18 |
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.