How far is Watervliet, NY from Amherst, NY?
The driving distance from Watervliet, NY to Amherst, NY is about 287.3 miles (462.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 258.8 miles (416.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 01m 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 04h 30m.
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 Onondaga County, New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Watervliet and Amherst.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watervliet and Amherst.
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1
Start on 19th Street
1.5 km · 3 min · 19th Street
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2
Continue on Troy Schenectady Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Troy Schenectady Road
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Latham Circle
58 m · 6 sec · Troy Schenectady Road
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4
Exit the rotary onto Troy Schenectady Road
2323 ft · 54 sec · Troy Schenectady Road
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5
Take the ramp slight left
2269 ft · 58 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Adirondack Northway
4.6 mi · 6 min · Adirondack Northway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
1694 ft · 32 sec
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8
Continue on I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
2619 ft · 51 sec
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9
Keep slight left
272 mi · 5 hr 15 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 290: Niagara Falls
2277 ft · 37 sec
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11
Continue on Youngmann Expressway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Youngmann Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem Road
1117 ft · 30 sec
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13
Turn left onto Sheridan Drive
1.4 km · 2 min · Sheridan Drive
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14
Turn left onto Millersport Highway
143 m · 14 sec · Millersport Highway
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Millersport Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Watervliet and Amherst.
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 South
Keep slight left
272 mi · 05h 15m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Watervliet and Showers And Thunderstorms near Amherst.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Watervliet to Amherst?
The road trip is about 287.3 miles (462.4 km) and usually takes 04h 30m 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?
Lyncourt is a useful midpoint, sitting about 142.2 miles from Watervliet and 145.2 miles from Amherst.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 258.8 miles (416.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.5 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 7:58 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.65 one way or $81.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Watervliet and Showers And Thunderstorms near Amherst.
Stop Ideas Near Lyncourt
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Cafe
Syracuse City Hall
Town hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lyncourt.
William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center
Empire Expo Center
Rome station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Watervliet and Amherst. Straight-line distance: 258.78 mi (416.46 km).
#1 Watervliet
City in New York, USA
| Population | 9,807 |
| Coordinates | 42.7300800, -73.7012300 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Amherst
Town in New York, United States
| Population | 120,809 |
| Coordinates | 42.9783900, -78.7997600 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| Country | United States |
End: Millersport Highway (-78.799874, 42.978447)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 462 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $40.65 | $81.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $45.44 | $90.87 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $49.29 | $98.58 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $47.60 | $95.19 |
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.