How far is Syracuse, NY from Ithaca, NY?
The driving distance from Syracuse, NY to Ithaca, NY is about 53.9 miles (86.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 45.5 miles (73.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 33m 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 01h 16m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Syracuse and Ithaca.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Syracuse and Ithaca.
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1
Start on South State Street
3 m · 6 sec · South State Street
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2
Turn left onto East Genesee Street
1371 ft · 31 sec · East Genesee Street
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3
Turn right onto Almond Street
1445 ft · 28 sec · Almond Street
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4
Turn slight right
90 m · 5 sec
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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
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8
Continue straight
26.8 mi · 31 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 11, NY 41, NY 281: Homer, Cortland, Ithaca
1917 ft · 47 sec
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10
Keep slight left
2837 ft · 1 min
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Homer Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Homer Road
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12
Continue on West Road
2.8 mi · 6 min · West Road
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13
Merge slight left onto NY13
3.4 mi · 5 min · NY13
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14
Continue on Cortland Road
3.4 mi · 5 min · Cortland Road
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15
Continue on North Street
1.2 km · 2 min · North Street
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16
Turn right onto West Main Street
1.3 km · 2 min · West Main Street
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17
Continue on Dryden Road
5.2 mi · 8 min · Dryden Road
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18
Continue on Dryden Road
3.9 mi · 8 min · Dryden Road
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19
Continue on Dryden Road
867 ft · 17 sec · Dryden Road
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20
Continue on Ithaca Road
1816 ft · 31 sec · Ithaca Road
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21
Turn right onto Mitchell Street
1208 ft · 23 sec · Mitchell Street
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22
At the end of the road, turn right onto East State Street
2261 ft · 32 sec · East State Street
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23
Keep slight right to continue on Seneca Way
991 ft · 30 sec · Seneca Way
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Seneca Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Syracuse and Ithaca.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 81 South
Continue straight
26.8 mi · 00h 31m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Syracuse and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Ithaca.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Syracuse to Ithaca?
The road trip is about 53.9 miles (86.7 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?
Homer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27 miles from Syracuse and 27 miles from Ithaca.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 45.5 miles (73.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.4 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 3:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.62 one way or $15.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Syracuse and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Ithaca.
Stop Ideas Near Homer
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 Homer.
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 Ithaca. Straight-line distance: 45.56 mi (73.32 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 Ithaca
City in New York, USA
| Population | 30,981 |
| Coordinates | 42.4406300, -76.4966100 |
| Altitude | 125 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ithaca (-76.49661, 42.44063)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 87 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $7.62 | $15.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $8.51 | $17.03 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $9.24 | $18.47 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $8.92 | $17.84 |
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.