How far is Washington Heights, NY from Albany, NY?

The driving distance from Washington Heights, NY to Albany, NY is about 139.2 miles (224 km), with a travel time of about 02h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 124.9 miles (201 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 37m 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
139.17 mi
02h 48m
Flight
124.88 mi
200.98 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Washington Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
124.88 mi
Kilometers
200.98 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
139.17 mi
Kilometers
223.98 km
Drive Time
02h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Albany
Wed, Apr 29, 7:12 AM EDT
Return by in Washington Heights
Wed, Apr 29, 10:01 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Washington Heights
2026-04-29T04:23
Arrive Albany
Wed, Apr 29, 7:12 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:49 AM to 12:49 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:52 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Washington Heights
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
New Paltz
NY

Town in New York

From Washington Heights
69.6 mi
01h 24m
To Albany
69.5 mi
01h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Wednesday

Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 13 mph SE
Destination
44°F
Overnight

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 12:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Washington Heights and Albany.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Washington Heights and Albany.

  1. 1

    Start on Broadway

    585 ft · 26 sec · Broadway

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West 179th Street

    533 ft · 20 sec · West 179th Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp straight toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, New Jersey

    1542 ft · 40 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto George Washington Bridge (upper level)

    2310 ft · 44 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    2659 ft · 48 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    3214 ft · 39 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    559 ft · 9 sec

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

    1270 ft · 23 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on NJ 4 West: Paramus

    970 ft · 24 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight right

    6.7 mi · 9 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit straight toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, Mahwah

    951 ft · 26 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on NJ 17 North: Mahwah

    1302 ft · 37 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    3.3 mi · 4 min

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    7.3 mi · 10 min

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    1.2 km · 50 sec

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    3.3 mi · 4 min

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    877 ft · 11 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany

    111.7 mi · 2 hr 9 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy

    1351 ft · 50 sec

  20. 20

    Continue straight

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward US 9 North, US 20 West: Downtown Albany

    1250 ft · 36 sec

  22. 22

    Turn straight onto Quay Street

    966 ft · 34 sec · Quay Street

  23. 23

    Turn left

    1299 ft · 42 sec

  24. 24

    Turn left onto State Street

    1520 ft · 51 sec · State Street

  25. 25

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Eagle Street

    55 m · 5 sec · Eagle Street

  26. 26

    Turn straight onto Washington Avenue

    152 m · 20 sec · Washington Avenue

  27. 27

    Turn left

    9 m · 2 sec

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Washington Heights and Albany.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
28 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 87 North
112 mi · 80%
NJ 17 North
15.1 mi · 11%
NJ 4 West
6.85 mi · 5%
I 787
1.85 mi · 1%
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
1.66 mi · 1%
I 95 South
0.53 mi
Longest Stretch

I 87 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany

112 mi · 02h 09m

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
02h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.3 mi
124.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
New Paltz
01h 24m from Washington Heights
Leave By
12:52 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Washington Heights and Mostly Cloudy near Albany.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Washington Heights to Albany?

The road trip is about 139.2 miles (224 km) and usually takes 02h 48m 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?

New Paltz is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.6 miles from Washington Heights and 69.5 miles from Albany.

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

The direct path is about 124.9 miles (201 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.3 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 12:52 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.68 one way or $39.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Washington Heights and Mostly Cloudy near Albany.

Stop Ideas Near New Paltz

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around New Paltz, 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 New Paltz.

RAIL

Poughkeepsie station

13 mi away
41 Main St.
RAIL

Rhinecliff–Kingston station

22 mi away
Hutton and Charles Sts.
RAIL

Hudson

61 mi away
69 South Front St.
RAIL

Croton–Harmon station

64 mi away
1 Croton Point Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Washington Heights and Albany. Straight-line distance: 124.88 mi (200.98 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Washington Heights

Washington Heights is a place in New York, United States.

Population0
Coordinates40.8501000, -73.9354100
Altitude54
CountryUnited States
Albany

#2 Albany

The capital of New York State.

Population95,429
Coordinates42.6525800, -73.7562300
Altitude45
CountryUnited States
Start: Washington Heights (-73.93541, 40.8501)
End: Albany (-73.75623, 42.65258)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 224 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.91 gal
18.59 L · about $19.68
Round trip
$39.37
9.82 gal · 37.18 L
Estimated CO2
43.6 kg one way
Round trip: 87.3 kg / 192 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.01 $19.68 $39.37
Mid-grade $4.48 $22.00 $44.00
Premium $4.86 $23.87 $47.74
Diesel $4.69 $23.05 $46.10

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 29, 2026

There is no time difference between Washington Heights and Albany. The current time is 04:23:47.

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.