How far is Syracuse, NY from Cortland, NY?
The driving distance from Syracuse, NY to Cortland, NY is about 33.2 miles (53.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.9 miles (49.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 40m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City in Onondaga County, New York, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Syracuse and Cortland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Syracuse and Cortland.
-
1
Start on South State Street
3 m · 6 sec · South State Street
-
2
Turn left onto East Genesee Street
1371 ft · 37 sec · East Genesee Street
-
3
Turn right onto Almond Street
1445 ft · 28 sec · Almond Street
-
4
Turn slight right
90 m · 5 sec
-
5
Take the ramp straight toward I 81 South
1057 ft · 26 sec
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6
Merge slight left
2 mi · 3 min
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7
Continue straight
1.2 km · 49 sec
-
8
Continue straight
28.6 mi · 33 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward NY 13: Cortland, Ithaca
926 ft · 23 sec
-
10
Turn right onto Clinton Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Clinton Avenue
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11
Turn left onto Main Street
6 m · 1 sec · Main Street
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Syracuse and Cortland.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 81 South
Continue straight
28.6 mi · 00h 33m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Syracuse and Mostly Cloudy near Cortland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Syracuse to Cortland?
The road trip is about 33.2 miles (53.5 km) and usually takes 00h 40m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Tully is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.7 miles from Syracuse and 16.6 miles from Cortland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.9 miles (49.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.69 one way or $9.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Syracuse and Mostly Cloudy near Cortland.
Stop Ideas Near Tully
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 Tully.
Empire Expo Center
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Rome station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Syracuse and Cortland. Straight-line distance: 30.93 mi (49.77 km).
#1 Syracuse
The fifth most populous city in New York.
| Population | 141,229 |
| Coordinates | 43.0481200, -76.1474200 |
| Altitude | 121 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cortland
City in New York, USA
| Population | 18,455 |
| Coordinates | 42.6011800, -76.1804800 |
| Altitude | 344 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cortland (-76.18048, 42.60118)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 54 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $4.69 | $9.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $5.24 | $10.49 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $5.69 | $11.37 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $5.49 | $10.98 |
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.