How far is Watertown, NY from Albany, NY?
The driving distance from Watertown, NY to Albany, NY is about 173 miles (278.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 141.7 miles (228 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 08m 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 04m.
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.
Town in Herkimer County, New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Light Rain Likely then Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Watertown and Albany.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watertown and Albany.
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1
Start on Public Square
1004 ft · 34 sec · Public Square
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2
Continue on State Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · State Street
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3
Turn right onto Gifford Street
2.4 mi · 3 min · Gifford Street
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4
Continue on Van Allen Road
8.4 mi · 10 min · Van Allen Road
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5
Continue on State Highway 12
1.4 mi · 2 min · State Highway 12
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6
Continue on Main Street
3048 ft · 41 sec · Main Street
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7
Continue on High Street
2991 ft · 39 sec · High Street
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8
Continue on County Road 14
1772 ft · 23 sec · County Road 14
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9
Continue on State Highway 12
10.9 mi · 13 min · State Highway 12
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10
Continue on Dayan Street
2636 ft · 1 min · Dayan Street
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11
Turn right onto South State Street
3100 ft · 2 min · South State Street
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12
Continue on Utica Boulevard
2768 ft · 1 min · Utica Boulevard
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13
Continue on Bea Luck Road
19.8 mi · 23 min · Bea Luck Road
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14
Continue on State Highway 12
1.2 km · 52 sec · State Highway 12
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15
Continue on Erwin Parkway
9.7 mi · 11 min · Erwin Parkway
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16
Continue on State Highway 12
22 mi · 31 min · State Highway 12
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17
Take the exit slight right
1572 ft · 38 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto State Route 49
2039 ft · 27 sec · State Route 49
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19
Continue straight
998 ft · 13 sec
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Genesee Street South
840 ft · 18 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on I 90
1.2 km · 2 min
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22
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East
1766 ft · 43 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
83.7 mi · 1 hr 37 min · New York State Thruway
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24
Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, I 90 East: Albany, Montreal
1.2 mi · 2 min
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25
Keep slight left
4.9 mi · 7 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward US 9: Loudonville, Arbor Hill
1529 ft · 29 sec
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27
Keep slight right to continue on US 9 South: Arbor Hill, Henry Johnson Boulevard
1488 ft · 28 sec
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28
Turn straight onto US 9
1444 ft · 22 sec · US 9
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29
Continue on Henry Johnson Boulevard
2809 ft · 1 min · Henry Johnson Boulevard
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30
Turn left onto Central Avenue
155 m · 17 sec · Central Avenue
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31
Turn slight left onto Washington Avenue
2658 ft · 1 min · Washington Avenue
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32
Turn right
9 m · 2 sec
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Watertown and Albany.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
New York State Thruway
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
83.7 mi · 01h 37m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Watertown and Light Rain Likely then Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Albany.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Watertown to Albany?
The road trip is about 173 miles (278.4 km) and usually takes 03h 04m 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?
Frankfort is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87 miles from Watertown and 86 miles from Albany.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 141.7 miles (228 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:52 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.49 one way or $48.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Watertown and Light Rain Likely then Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Albany.
Stop Ideas Near Frankfort
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 Frankfort.
Union Station
Rome station
Amsterdam station
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Watertown and Albany. Straight-line distance: 141.69 mi (228.02 km).
#1 Watertown
Town in Jefferson County, New York
| Population | 4,426 |
| Coordinates | 43.9747800, -75.9107600 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Albany
The capital of New York State.
| Population | 95,429 |
| Coordinates | 42.6525800, -73.7562300 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
End: Washington Avenue (-73.756162, 42.652644)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 278 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $24.49 | $48.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $27.38 | $54.76 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $29.70 | $59.40 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $28.68 | $57.36 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.