How far is Rensselaer, NY from Syracuse, NY?
The driving distance from Rensselaer, NY to Syracuse, NY is about 146.3 miles (235.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 125 miles (201.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 34m 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 17m.
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.
Town in Herkimer County, New York, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rensselaer and Syracuse.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rensselaer and Syracuse.
-
1
Start on the route
71 m · 22 sec
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2
Turn left
17 m · 9 sec
-
3
Turn left onto Broadway
1572 ft · 52 sec · Broadway
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4
Turn right
157 m · 29 sec
-
5
Continue straight
2092 ft · 60 sec
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 787, US 9: Troy
115 m · 13 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 787 South
2653 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left
1.5 km · 1 min
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9
Continue on I 87 Toll: New York State Thruway
3231 ft · 1 min
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 87 North: Montreal, Buffalo, Exits 24-61
1570 ft · 38 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
5.3 mi · 6 min · New York State Thruway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on New York State Thruway
128.8 mi · 2 hr 29 min · New York State Thruway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 481: Syracuse, Oswego
1.2 km · 2 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 481 South: Syracuse, Fairgrounds, Binghamton
2580 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left
2.3 mi · 3 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 690 West: Syracuse, Fairgrounds
1.2 km · 1 min
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17
Continue straight
4.1 mi · 6 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward Townsend Street, Downtown
1280 ft · 42 sec
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19
Turn left onto North Townsend Street
153 m · 16 sec · North Townsend Street
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20
Turn right onto East Water Street
146 m · 16 sec · East Water Street
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21
Turn left onto South State Street
840 ft · 20 sec · South State Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rensselaer and Syracuse.
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
Keep slight left to continue on New York State Thruway
129 mi · 02h 29m
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.
Sunny leaving Rensselaer and Mostly Sunny near Syracuse.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rensselaer to Syracuse?
The road trip is about 146.3 miles (235.4 km) and usually takes 02h 17m 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?
Little Falls is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73 miles from Rensselaer and 73.3 miles from Syracuse.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 125 miles (201.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.3 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 1:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.95 one way or $45.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rensselaer and Mostly Sunny near Syracuse.
Stop Ideas Near Little Falls
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 Little Falls.
Union Station
Rome station
Amsterdam station
Schenectady
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rensselaer and Syracuse. Straight-line distance: 124.99 mi (201.15 km).
#1 Rensselaer
City in Indiana
| Population | 9,142 |
| Coordinates | 42.6425800, -73.7429000 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Syracuse
The fifth most populous city in New York.
| Population | 141,229 |
| Coordinates | 43.0481200, -76.1474200 |
| Altitude | 121 |
| Country | United States |
End: South State Street (-76.14744, 43.04812)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 235 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.45 | $22.95 | $45.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.98 | $25.71 | $51.41 |
| Premium | $5.38 | $27.77 | $55.54 |
| Diesel | $6.51 | $33.59 | $67.17 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026