How far is Saranac Lake, NY from Albany, NY?
The driving distance from Saranac Lake, NY to Albany, NY is about 148.4 miles (238.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 117.4 miles (188.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 16m 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 38m.
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 New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Saranac Lake and Albany.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saranac Lake and Albany.
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1
Start on Church Street
2177 ft · 45 sec · Church Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto River Street
1126 ft · 32 sec · River Street
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3
Keep slight right to continue on River Street
93 m · 9 sec · River Street
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4
Turn slight right onto Lake Flower Avenue
1.1 mi · 3 min · Lake Flower Avenue
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5
Continue on Saranac-Placid Road
4.9 mi · 8 min · Saranac-Placid Road
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6
Turn right onto Old Military Road
3.6 mi · 6 min · Old Military Road
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7
Turn straight onto Cascade Road
5.3 mi · 8 min · Cascade Road
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8
Continue on State Highway 73
7.2 mi · 10 min · State Highway 73
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9
Turn straight onto State Highway 9N
1.8 mi · 3 min · State Highway 9N
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10
Continue on State Highway 73
11.5 mi · 17 min · State Highway 73
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11
Turn straight
2.1 mi · 3 min
-
12
Take the ramp right toward I 87 South
1717 ft · 33 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Adirondack Northway
97.6 mi · 1 hr 53 min · Adirondack Northway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward NY 2, NY 7: Schenectady, Watervliet, Troy, Cohoes
2440 ft · 38 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on NY 2, NY 7 West: Troy, Schenectady
1663 ft · 26 sec
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16
Merge slight right
72 m · 4 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on NY 2, NY 7 West: Watervliet, Schenectady
1349 ft · 29 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on NY 2, NY 9
827 ft · 20 sec
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19
Turn straight onto Troy Schenectady Road
2619 ft · 1 min · Troy Schenectady Road
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Latham Circle
6 m · 1 sec · Loudon Road
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21
Exit the rotary onto Loudon Road
6.2 mi · 11 min · Loudon Road
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22
Continue on Henry Johnson Boulevard
2809 ft · 1 min · Henry Johnson Boulevard
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23
Turn left onto Central Avenue
155 m · 17 sec · Central Avenue
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24
Turn slight left onto Washington Avenue
2658 ft · 1 min · Washington Avenue
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25
Turn right
9 m · 2 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Saranac Lake and Albany.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Adirondack Northway
Merge slight left onto Adirondack Northway
97.6 mi · 01h 53m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Saranac Lake and Chance Rain Showers near Albany.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Saranac Lake to Albany?
The road trip is about 148.4 miles (238.8 km) and usually takes 02h 38m 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?
Bolton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.7 miles from Saranac Lake and 75.7 miles from Albany.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 117.4 miles (188.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 31 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 1:14 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.01 one way or $42.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Saranac Lake and Chance Rain Showers near Albany.
Stop Ideas Near Bolton
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 Bolton.
Whitehall station
Fort Edward station
Fair Haven, Vermont
Castleton station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Saranac Lake and Albany. Straight-line distance: 117.38 mi (188.9 km).
#1 Saranac Lake
Village in New York
| Population | 5,193 |
| Coordinates | 44.3295000, -74.1312700 |
| Altitude | 471 |
| 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: 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 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $21.01 | $42.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $23.48 | $46.96 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $25.47 | $50.94 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $24.60 | $49.19 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.