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Driving Directions to Cornell University

The directions below are provided by the Information and Referral Center. If you have questions, or are in need of further assistance, please call the IRC at (607)254-INFO (4636) or (607)255-2000. An information specialist will be happy to help.

Once in Ithaca, there will be signs directing you to campus. Use these in conjunction with the directions below to find Cornell University.

Once you arrive on campus please stop at the Visitor and Parking Information Booth open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. An attendant will assist you with locating the safest and most convenient parking available. There also is a campus phone at the booth for you to contact the Information and Referral Center during the hours that the booth is not staffed.

Driving to Cornell University Main Campus

Here is a quick reference for drivers from each primary direction. For precise directions, please use the Door-to-Door Directions feature above.

From Points North -- Including Syracuse and Watertown

Including Syracuse and Watertown — Syracuse, NY is approximately 60 miles north of Cornell University with an estimated driving time of 1 hour and 30 minutes.

  1. South on I-81.
  2. Exit 12 at Cortland/Homer.
  3. Rte. 281 South to State Rte. 13.
  4. South on State Rte. 13 to Ithaca, NY.
  5. State Rte. 13 South to State Rte. 366.
  6. After NYSEG (electrical utilities) complex, turn left onto State Rte. 366.
  7. State Rte. 366 west to the intersection of State Rte. 366 and Hoy Road.
  8. Right onto Hoy Road and follow to campus.

From Points East -- Including Albany and Boston

Including Albany and Boston — Albany, NY is approximately 160 miles east of Cornell University with an estimated driving time of 2 hours and 30 minutes.

  1. West on I-90/NY State Thruway, portions of which charge toll.
  2. West on I-90 (NY State Thruway) to I-88.
  3. West on I-88 for 76 miles to Exit 8 for State Rte. 206 at Bainbridge, NY.
  4. West on State Rte. 206 for 25 miles to State Rte. 79 at Whitney Point, NY.
  5. West on State Rte. 79 for 28 miles to Ithaca, NY.
  6. Turn right onto Pine Tree Road (1.6 miles)
  7. Turn left at Dryden Road/Rte. 366 (0.3 miles)
  8. From Dryden Road, go straight onto Hoy Road at the flashing light.
  9. Follow Hoy Road to campus.

From Points South -- Including New York City

Including New York City — New York City is approximately 220 miles southeast of Cornell University with an estimated driving time of 5 hours.

  1. North on I-87 (portions charge toll) to the Tappan Zee Bridge.
  2. Cross the Tappan Zee Bridge (portions charge toll) and continue North on I-87.
  3. North on I-87 (portions charge toll) to State Rte. 17 at Harriman, NY.
  4. West on State Rte. 17 for 111 miles to I-81.
  5. North on I-81 to Exit 8 for Whitney Point, NY.
  6. West on State Rte. 79 for 28 miles to Ithaca, NY.
  7. Turn right onto Pine Tree Road (1.6 miles)
  8. Turn left at Dryden Road/Rte. 366 (0.3 miles)
  9. From Dryden Road, go straight on Hoy Road at the flashing light.
  10. Follow Hoy Road to campus.

From Points South -- Including New Jersey

Including New Jersey — Northern New Jersey is approximately 220 miles southeast of Cornell University with an estimated driving time of 5 hours.

  1. West on I-80 to I-380.
  2. North I-380 to I-81.
  3. North on I-81 to Exit 8 for Whitney Point, NY.
  4. West on State Rte. 79 for 28 miles to Ithaca, NY.
  5. Turn right onto Pine Tree Road (1.6 miles)
  6. Turn left at Dryden Road/Rte. 366 (0.3 miles)
  7. From Dryden Road, go straight on Hoy Road at the flashing light.
  8. Follow Hoy Road to campus.

From Points Southwest -- Including Ohio and Elmira

Including Ohio and Elmira — Cleveland, OH is approximately 330 miles southwest of Cornell University with an estimated driving time of 5 hours.

  1. East on I-90 (NY State Thruway) to Exit 10 for Jamestown, NY.
  2. East on Rte. 17 to Rte. 13.
  3. North on Rte. 13 into Ithaca, NY.
  4. Continue North until the intersection of Rte. 13 and Rte. 79.
  5. Travel East on Rte. 79/Green St.
  6. Rte. 79/Green St. becomes Rte. 79/East State St.
  7. Continue to travel on Rte. 79 East
  8. Turn left onto Mitchell St./Rte. 366.
  9. Follow Mitchell up the hill and bear left onto Ithaca Road.
  10. Ithaca Road will become Dryden Road at the stoplight.
  11. From Dryden Road, turn left onto Hoy Road at the flashing light.
  12. Follow Hoy Road to campus.

From Points West -- Including Toronto, Buffalo, and Rochester

Including Toronto, Buffalo, and Rochester — Buffalo, NY is approximately 150 miles west of Cornell University with an estimated driving time of 3 hours.

  1. East on I-90 (NY State Thruway) to Exit 42.
  2. South on Rte. 14 for approximately one-quarter mile to Rte. 96.
  3. South on Rte. 96 for approximately 45 miles to Ithaca, NY.
  4. South on Rte. 13 for approximately one-quarter mile to Rte. 79 and Green St.
  5. East on Rte. 79/Green St.
  6. Green St. becomes East State St.
  7. Continue to travel east on Rte. 79 East/State St.
  8. Turn left onto Mitchell St./Rte. 366.
  9. Follow Mitchell St. up the hill and bear left onto Ithaca Road.