How far is Syracuse, NY from Rochester, NY?

The driving distance from Syracuse, NY to Rochester, NY is about 86.7 miles (139.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 74.4 miles (119.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
86.71 mi
01h 46m
Flight
74.43 mi
119.78 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Syracuse.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
74.43 mi
Kilometers
119.78 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
86.71 mi
Kilometers
139.54 km
Drive Time
01h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rochester
Wed, May 13, 4:46 PM EDT
Return by in Syracuse
Wed, May 13, 6:32 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Syracuse
2026-05-13T15:00
Arrive Rochester
Wed, May 13, 4:46 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:46 AM to 11:46 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:58 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Syracuse
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Waterloo
NY

City in Seneca County, New York, United States of America

From Syracuse
43.2 mi
00h 53m
To Rochester
43.4 mi
00h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Wednesday

Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 16 mph S
Destination
66°F
Wednesday

Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
13 to 17 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Syracuse and Rochester.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Syracuse and Rochester.

  1. 1

    Start on South State Street

    154 m · 18 sec · South State Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Washington Street

    3027 ft · 2 min · East Washington Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South West Street

    1531 ft · 37 sec · South West Street

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on I 690 West: Baldwinsville

    1417 ft · 35 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    7.9 mi · 9 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 90

    105 m · 8 sec

  7. 7

    Continue on I 90

    1198 ft · 29 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 90

    1733 ft · 42 sec

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    758 ft · 19 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 90 West: Buffalo

    985 ft · 24 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway

    61 mi · 1 hr 10 min · New York State Thruway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 490: Rochester

    2126 ft · 52 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on Eastern Expressway

    14.8 mi · 19 min · Eastern Expressway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Broad Street, Plymouth Avenue, Stadiums

    1111 ft · 30 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Spring Street

    121 m · 16 sec · Spring Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto South Plymouth Avenue

    634 ft · 20 sec · South Plymouth Avenue

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Plymouth Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Syracuse and Rochester.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
17 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
New York State Thruway
61 mi · 70%
Eastern Expressway
14.8 mi · 17%
I 690 West
8.14 mi · 9%
I 90
0.76 mi · 1%
East Washington Street
0.57 mi · 1%
I 490
0.4 mi
Longest Stretch

New York State Thruway

Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway

61 mi · 01h 10m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.3 mi
74.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Waterloo
00h 53m from Syracuse
Leave By
2:58 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Syracuse and Rain Showers near Rochester.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Syracuse to Rochester?

The road trip is about 86.7 miles (139.5 km) and usually takes 01h 46m 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?

Waterloo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.2 miles from Syracuse and 43.4 miles from Rochester.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 74.4 miles (119.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.3 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 2:58 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.27 one way or $24.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Syracuse and Rain Showers near Rochester.

Stop Ideas Near Waterloo

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Waterloo, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Waterloo.

RAIL

Empire Expo Center

56 mi away
581 State Fair Blvd
RAIL

William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center

61 mi away
131 Alliance Bank Parkway
RAIL

Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station

67 mi away
320 Central Avenue
RAIL

Rome station

119 mi away
6599 Martin Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Syracuse and Rochester. Straight-line distance: 74.43 mi (119.78 km).

Syracuse

#1 Syracuse

The fifth most populous city in New York.

Population141,229
Coordinates43.0481200, -76.1474200
Altitude121
CountryUnited States
Rochester

#2 Rochester

County seat of Monroe County, New York, United States

Population7,202
Coordinates43.1547800, -77.6155600
Altitude154
CountryUnited States
Start: Syracuse (-76.14742, 43.04812)
End: Rochester (-77.61556, 43.15478)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 140 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.06 gal
11.58 L · about $12.27
Round trip
$24.54
6.12 gal · 23.16 L
Estimated CO2
27.2 kg one way
Round trip: 54.4 kg / 120 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.01 $12.27 $24.54
Mid-grade $4.48 $13.71 $27.42
Premium $4.86 $14.87 $29.75
Diesel $4.69 $14.36 $28.73

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Syracuse and Rochester. The current time is 15:00:36.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.