How far is Lancaster, NY from Albany, NY?
The driving distance from Lancaster, NY to Albany, NY is about 281.7 miles (453.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 249.8 miles (402 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 00m 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 30m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lancaster and Albany.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lancaster and Albany.
-
1
Start on the route
6 m · 3 sec
-
2
Turn left
14 m · 5 sec
-
3
Turn right onto Central Avenue
816 ft · 24 sec · Central Avenue
-
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Central Avenue
27 m · 2 sec · Central Avenue
-
5
Exit the roundabout onto Central Avenue
2.2 mi · 5 min · Central Avenue
-
6
Turn left onto Pleasant View Drive
1 mi · 2 min · Pleasant View Drive
-
7
Turn right onto Transit Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Transit Road
-
8
Take the exit left
1096 ft · 27 sec
-
9
Continue straight
978 ft · 24 sec
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East: Albany
1593 ft · 39 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
267.9 mi · 5 hr 9 min · New York State Thruway
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, Montreal
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
13
Keep slight left
4.9 mi · 7 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward US 9: Loudonville, Arbor Hill
1529 ft · 29 sec
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on US 9 South: Arbor Hill, Henry Johnson Boulevard
1488 ft · 28 sec
-
16
Turn straight onto US 9
1444 ft · 22 sec · US 9
-
17
Continue on Henry Johnson Boulevard
2809 ft · 1 min · Henry Johnson Boulevard
-
18
Turn left onto Central Avenue
155 m · 17 sec · Central Avenue
-
19
Turn slight left onto Washington Avenue
2658 ft · 1 min · Washington Avenue
-
20
Turn right
9 m · 2 sec
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lancaster 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
268 mi · 05h 09m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Lancaster and Mostly Sunny near Albany.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lancaster to Albany?
The road trip is about 281.7 miles (453.3 km) and usually takes 04h 30m 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?
Mattydale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.1 miles from Lancaster and 141.5 miles from Albany.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 249.8 miles (402 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.9 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 8:00 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.85 one way or $79.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lancaster and Mostly Sunny near Albany.
Stop Ideas Near Mattydale
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 Mattydale.
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Empire Expo Center
Rome station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lancaster and Albany. Straight-line distance: 249.77 mi (401.97 km).
#1 Lancaster
Town in Erie County, New York
| Population | 10,064 |
| Coordinates | 42.9006100, -78.6703100 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| 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: 453 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $39.85 | $79.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $44.54 | $89.08 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $48.32 | $96.64 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $46.66 | $93.32 |
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.