How far is New Paltz, NY from Amherst, NY?
The driving distance from New Paltz, NY to Amherst, NY is about 349.6 miles (562.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 255.1 miles (410.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 32m 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 05h 16m.
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.
Village in New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between New Paltz and Amherst.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Paltz and Amherst.
-
1
Start on Main Street
1189 ft · 33 sec · Main Street
-
2
Continue on New Paltz-Minnewaska Road
5.7 mi · 8 min · New Paltz-Minnewaska Road
-
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Main Street
10.4 mi · 16 min · Main Street
-
4
At the end of the road, turn left onto United States Highway 209
5.2 mi · 6 min · United States Highway 209
-
5
Continue on North Main Street
1.6 km · 1 min · North Main Street
-
6
Turn right onto Canal Street
11.5 mi · 13 min · Canal Street
-
7
Continue on State Highway 42
1429 ft · 20 sec · State Highway 42
-
8
Turn slight right onto Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Main Street
-
9
Continue on State Highway 52
1.3 mi · 1 min · State Highway 52
-
10
Continue on Old Monticello Road
2339 ft · 30 sec · Old Monticello Road
-
11
Continue on State Highway 52
4.4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 52
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward NY 17 West: Binghamton
86 m · 9 sec
-
13
Merge slight left onto Triangle Road
832 ft · 11 sec · Triangle Road
-
14
Take the exit straight
753 ft · 18 sec
-
15
Merge slight left
81.1 mi · 1 hr 42 min
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
1.8 mi · 2 min
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Syracuse
37.4 mi · 44 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward NY 13: Cortland
789 ft · 22 sec
-
19
Turn right onto Clinton Avenue
12 m · 5 sec · Clinton Avenue
-
20
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Locust Avenue
-
21
Continue on Albany Street
3055 ft · 1 min · Albany Street
-
22
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Main Street
2126 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
-
23
Turn left onto Clinton Street
10.5 mi · 15 min · Clinton Street
-
24
Continue on East Lake Road
2904 ft · 49 sec · East Lake Road
-
25
Continue on State Route 41
4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
-
26
Continue on East Lake Road
9.4 mi · 14 min · East Lake Road
-
27
Continue on East Lake Street
2676 ft · 48 sec · East Lake Street
-
28
Turn left onto East Genesee Street
7.3 mi · 14 min · East Genesee Street
-
29
Turn right onto North Fulton Street
815 ft · 13 sec · North Fulton Street
-
30
Turn left onto Arterial West
1931 ft · 1 min · Arterial West
-
31
Continue on Chase Street
9.8 mi · 11 min · Chase Street
-
32
Continue on Auburn Road
1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
-
33
Turn right
4.1 mi · 7 min
-
34
Continue straight
97 m · 10 sec
-
35
Turn right onto State Route 414
1557 ft · 29 sec · State Route 414
-
36
Continue on Ridge Road
66 m · 11 sec · Ridge Road
-
37
Take the ramp left
945 ft · 23 sec
-
38
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Buffalo
3202 ft · 1 min
-
39
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
99.6 mi · 1 hr 55 min · New York State Thruway
-
40
Take the exit slight right toward I 290: Niagara Falls
2277 ft · 37 sec
-
41
Continue on Youngmann Expressway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Youngmann Expressway
-
42
Take the exit slight right toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road
1117 ft · 30 sec
-
43
Turn left onto Sheridan Drive
1.4 km · 2 min · Sheridan Drive
-
44
Turn left onto Millersport Highway
143 m · 14 sec · Millersport Highway
-
45
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Millersport Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between New Paltz and Amherst.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
New York State Thruway
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
99.6 mi · 01h 55m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving New Paltz and Showers And Thunderstorms near Amherst.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from New Paltz to Amherst?
The road trip is about 349.6 miles (562.7 km) and usually takes 05h 16m 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?
McGraw is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.9 miles from New Paltz and 190.7 miles from Amherst.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 255.1 miles (410.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 94.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:28 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $49.47 one way or $98.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around New Paltz and Showers And Thunderstorms near Amherst.
Stop Ideas Near McGraw
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 McGraw.
Empire Expo Center
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Rome station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between New Paltz and Amherst. Straight-line distance: 255.15 mi (410.62 km).
#1 New Paltz
Town in New York
| Population | 6,901 |
| Coordinates | 41.7475900, -74.0868100 |
| Altitude | 73 |
| 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: 563 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $49.47 | $98.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $55.30 | $110.59 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $59.98 | $119.97 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $57.92 | $115.85 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.