How far is Washington Heights, NY from Schenectady, NY?
The driving distance from Washington Heights, NY to Schenectady, NY is about 153.4 miles (246.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.7 miles (218.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 05m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Census-designated place in Ulster County, New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Washington Heights and Schenectady.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington Heights and Schenectady.
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1
Start on Broadway
585 ft · 26 sec · Broadway
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2
Turn right onto West 179th Street
533 ft · 20 sec · West 179th Street
-
3
Take the ramp straight toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, New Jersey
1542 ft · 40 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto George Washington Bridge (upper level)
2310 ft · 44 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
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5
Continue straight
2659 ft · 48 sec
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6
Keep slight left
3214 ft · 39 sec
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7
Keep slight left
559 ft · 9 sec
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
1270 ft · 23 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on NJ 4 West: Paramus
970 ft · 24 sec
-
10
Merge slight right
6.7 mi · 9 min
-
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
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12
Keep slight right to continue on NJ 17 North: Mahwah
1302 ft · 37 sec
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13
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
-
14
Continue straight
7.3 mi · 10 min
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15
Continue straight
1.2 km · 50 sec
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16
Continue straight
3.3 mi · 4 min
-
17
Continue straight
877 ft · 11 sec
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
117.5 mi · 2 hr 16 min
-
19
Keep slight left to continue on New York State Thruway
6.1 mi · 7 min · New York State Thruway
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward I 890, NY 146, NY 7: Schenectady
3248 ft · 1 min
-
21
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 5 min
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway
892 ft · 22 sec
-
23
Keep slight right to continue on Broadway
1383 ft · 38 sec
-
24
Keep slight right
65 m · 5 sec
-
25
Turn straight onto Broadway
1892 ft · 58 sec · Broadway
-
26
Turn right onto Clinton Street
1982 ft · 1 min · Clinton Street
-
27
Turn left onto Franklin Street
80 m · 9 sec · Franklin Street
-
28
Turn right onto Jay Street
66 m · 6 sec · Jay Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Jay Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Washington Heights and Schenectady.
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 87 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
118 mi · 02h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Washington Heights and Sunny near Schenectady.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Washington Heights to Schenectady?
The road trip is about 153.4 miles (246.8 km) and usually takes 03h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Tillson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.7 miles from Washington Heights and 76.7 miles from Schenectady.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.7 miles (218.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:50 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.06 one way or $48.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Washington Heights and Sunny near Schenectady.
Stop Ideas Near Tillson
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 Tillson.
Rhinecliff–Kingston station
Poughkeepsie station
Hudson
Croton–Harmon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Washington Heights and Schenectady. Straight-line distance: 135.71 mi (218.4 km).
#1 Washington Heights
Washington Heights is a place in New York, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.8501000, -73.9354100 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Schenectady
The most populous city in Schenectady County, New York.
| Population | 65,231 |
| Coordinates | 42.8142400, -73.9395700 |
| Altitude | 74 |
| Country | United States |
End: Schenectady (-73.93957, 42.81424)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 247 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.45 | $24.06 | $48.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.98 | $26.95 | $53.91 |
| Premium | $5.38 | $29.12 | $58.23 |
| Diesel | $6.51 | $35.21 | $70.43 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026