Monitor Albany Traffic in Real-Time
Access 320+ live traffic cameras throughout New York's Capital Region. View real-time conditions on I-87 (Northway), I-90 (Thruway), I-787, and local roads serving Albany, Troy, Schenectady, and Saratoga Springs. Our interactive map provides real-time access to live street feeds and intersection cameras throughout downtown Albany and the Empire State Plaza area. Monitor the state government commuter corridor, check conditions at the I-87/I-90 interchange, and track winter weather impacts across the region.
VIEW ALBANY TRAFFIC CAMERAS →Coverage Areas
I-87 (Northway)
135+ Live Cameras
The I-87 Northway is the region's busiest corridor, carrying up to 160,000 vehicles daily through parts of Albany and Colonie according to NYSDOT data.
I-90 (Thruway)
100+ Live Cameras
East-west route connecting the Massachusetts border (Berkshires) through Albany to Syracuse and Buffalo
I-787 & Downtown Albany
55+ Live Cameras
Riverfront highway through downtown, Empire State Plaza access, Port of Albany approaches
Capital Region Surface Roads
30+ Live Cameras
US-9, US-20, NY-5, NY-7, and key arterials through Colonie, Clifton Park, and surrounding communities
Getting Started
Open the Interactive Map
Go to TrafficVision.Live and zoom to the Albany/Capital Region area. Cameras appear as clustered markers that expand as you zoom in.
Filter by Area
Use the search bar to filter by "Albany," "Troy," "Schenectady," or specific highways like "I-87" or "I-90."
Save Your Commute Cameras
Click the star icon on any camera to save it as a favorite. Your favorites persist across sessions for instant access.
Build a Custom Route
Use Route Builder to create a route along your commute. Every camera along your path appears automatically.
Features
Interactive Map
View all Albany cameras on an interactive map with real-time clustering
Grid View
Browse cameras in a filterable grid with search and sort options
Save Favorites
Bookmark frequently-used cameras for quick access
Live Updates
Real-time feeds from 511NY and NYSDOT systems
24/7 Access
Monitor traffic conditions any time of day or night
Mobile Friendly
Fully responsive design works on all devices
About Albany Traffic
Albany sits at the crossroads of two of New York's most critical highways: I-87 (the Northway/Thruway) running north-south and I-90 (the Thruway) running east-west. As the state capital, Albany generates commuter traffic patterns unlike any other upstate city. Tens of thousands of state government employees travel daily to the Empire State Plaza and Capitol complex in downtown Albany, creating predictable but intense morning and evening rush periods concentrated along I-787 and the major arterials feeding downtown.
The Capital Region encompasses four counties (Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Saratoga) with a combined population of roughly 900,000. Albany residents experience an average commute time of 23.3 minutes, based on U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
According to city data, Albany recorded 3,838 traffic crashes in 2022, and the Capital Region has one of the highest traffic fatality rates in the state at 10.7 deaths per 100,000 people, underscoring the value of real-time traffic monitoring.
The tri-city area of Albany, Troy, and Schenectady forms the urban core, while suburban communities like Colonie, Clifton Park, Latham, and Guilderland have grown substantially, pushing commuter traffic volumes higher on connecting highways and local roads.
Commuters can also monitor live street feeds along Washington Avenue and State Street to check for road-level congestion near the Capitol and University at Albany.
Capital Region Rush Hour Patterns
Morning rush runs 7:00-9:00 AM, heaviest on I-87 southbound and I-787 southbound toward the Empire State Plaza. Evening rush peaks 4:00-6:00 PM northbound on the same corridors. State government offices release at 5:00 PM, creating a sharp spike. Fridays during summer see early afternoon departures toward Saratoga and the Adirondacks.
Key Routes and Interchanges
Major Albany Highway Corridors
- I-87 (Northway) — North-south from NYC to Montreal. Exits 1-15 serve the Capital Region, connecting Colonie, Latham, Clifton Park, and Saratoga Springs
- I-90 (Thruway) — East-west from Massachusetts border to Buffalo. Exits 24-25 serve Albany, with Exit 24 being the primary I-87/I-90 interchange
- I-787 — Riverfront highway from I-90 through downtown Albany along the Hudson River to Cohoes. Primary access to Empire State Plaza and the Capitol
- I-87/I-90 Interchange — One of upstate New York's busiest junctions. Merging traffic from four directions creates regular backups during rush hours
- US-9 / US-20 — Major surface arterials connecting Albany suburbs. US-9 (Central Avenue/Northern Blvd) is the primary commercial corridor through Colonie
- NY-7 — East-west route linking Troy, Latham, and I-87. Heavily used by Rensselaer County commuters heading to Northway employment centers
The I-87/I-90 interchange (Thruway Exit 24) is the single most congestion-prone point in the Capital Region. Traffic approaching from all four directions converges here: I-87 northbound from the Hudson Valley and New York City, I-87 southbound from Saratoga and the Adirondacks, I-90 westbound from Massachusetts, and I-90 eastbound from Syracuse and Utica. During peak periods, backups on the I-87 northbound approach can extend several miles, particularly when combined with incidents on the interchange ramps.
I-787 runs along the Hudson River's west bank through downtown Albany, providing the most direct access to the government employment district. The highway connects to I-90 at its southern end and continues north through Menands and Watervliet to Cohoes. Despite carrying heavy commuter volumes, I-787 has no tolls and fewer lanes than the Northway, leading to significant congestion at its I-90 junction and at the exits serving the Empire State Plaza, State Street, and Clinton Avenue.
Check Albany Traffic Right Now
See live conditions on I-87, I-90, I-787, and all Capital Region corridors before you drive.
VIEW ALBANY CAMERAS →Neighborhoods and Traffic Generators
Downtown Albany is anchored by the Empire State Plaza, a 98-acre complex of state government buildings, the Capitol, and the Convention Center. The plaza generates enormous weekday commuter traffic but relatively little weekend volume. Adjacent neighborhoods including Pine Hills (home to many state workers and students), Lark Street (the city's entertainment district), and Arbor Hill see traffic patterns tied closely to the state workday schedule.
The University at Albany (SUNY) campus on the western edge of the city draws approximately 17,000 students and several thousand employees. The campus sits along Washington Avenue Extended near the I-90/Fuller Road exit, creating localized congestion during class change periods. Event nights at the SEFCU Arena add evening traffic spikes along Washington Avenue and Western Avenue.
The Crossgates Mall area in Guilderland, located at the intersection of I-87 (Exit 2) and Western Avenue, is the Capital Region's largest retail complex. Weekend and holiday shopping traffic can cause significant backups on I-87 southbound at Exit 2 and along Western Avenue. The adjacent Stuyvesant Plaza and surrounding commercial development compound this congestion.
Troy, directly across the Hudson River from Albany via the Collar City Bridge (NY-7) and the Congress Street Bridge, is home to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and several state agencies. The limited number of river crossings concentrates traffic on these bridges and on the I-787 corridor, particularly during morning rush when Troy residents commute to Albany government jobs.
Schenectady, connected to Albany via I-890 and NY-5 (State Street), has seen revitalization in its downtown district. The Rivers Casino and the Proctors Theatre generate event-driven traffic. I-890 serves as the primary link between Schenectady and the I-90/I-87 system, with its interchange at I-90 Exit 25 handling substantial commuter volumes.
Monitor Your Capital Region Commute
Build a custom route and see every camera along your daily drive through Albany, Troy, or Schenectady.
BUILD YOUR ROUTE →Winter Weather and Driving Conditions
Albany averages over 60 inches of snow per year, with the heaviest accumulations between December and March. Lake-effect snow from Lake Ontario and the Great Lakes can produce sudden whiteout conditions on I-90 west of Albany. Nor'easters bring heavy, wet snow that reduces visibility to near zero. Ice storms are a regular occurrence in the Hudson Valley and can shut down highways for extended periods.
The Capital Region's winters are among the most challenging in the eastern United States. Albany sits in a geographic position that exposes it to multiple types of winter weather: lake-effect snow bands sweeping east from the Great Lakes, Nor'easters tracking up the Atlantic coast, and Alberta Clippers bringing Arctic air and light but frequent snow. The Northway (I-87) north of Albany toward Saratoga Springs is particularly exposed to lake-effect events and high winds, with drifting snow reducing visibility on open stretches.
The I-90 corridor west of Albany through the Mohawk Valley acts as a funnel for lake-effect snow streaming off Lake Ontario. Drivers heading toward Syracuse or Utica on the Thruway should check cameras for conditions west of Exit 25 (Schenectady), where accumulation rates can differ dramatically from what is falling in Albany itself. NYSDOT deploys an extensive plow fleet, but heavy storms can overwhelm response capacity during the initial hours.
Ice storms pose perhaps the greatest danger to Capital Region commuters. The Hudson Valley's terrain and proximity to warm Atlantic moisture create conditions where rain falls through a shallow layer of cold air near the surface, freezing on contact with roads, bridges, and overpasses. Bridge decks on I-787 and the river crossings freeze before road surfaces, and the elevated sections of the I-87/I-90 interchange are particularly hazardous during freezing rain events.
Winter Driving Tips for Albany
Check cameras on I-787 bridge decks and the I-87/I-90 interchange ramps early - these elevated surfaces freeze first. For I-90 westbound trips, compare conditions at Albany cameras versus those near Schenectady and Amsterdam to gauge lake-effect intensity. NYSDOT cameras update frequently enough to distinguish between active snowfall and post-storm conditions.
About Albany Traffic Cameras
TrafficVision.Live provides free access to 320+ live traffic cameras throughout Albany and the Capital Region. Our platform aggregates feeds from 511NY and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), giving you comprehensive coverage of traffic conditions across the region's highways and arterials. These cameras are part of the world's largest traffic camera directory with 135,000+ live feeds from 600+ sources worldwide.
Whether you're commuting to the Empire State Plaza, heading north to Saratoga Springs for the races, or navigating the I-87/I-90 interchange, our camera network provides real-time visibility into Capital Region traffic. View live feeds from I-87, I-90, I-787, US-9, NY-5, NY-7, and dozens of local intersections.
Our interactive map interface lets you quickly locate cameras near your route, while the grid view provides an organized way to browse all available feeds. Build custom routes to see all cameras along your commute, save favorites for instant access, and monitor multiple areas simultaneously to make informed travel decisions.
Heading North on the Northway?
Check I-87 cameras from Albany to Saratoga Springs before your drive. Winter conditions can change rapidly.
VIEW NORTHWAY CAMERAS →All Albany traffic cameras are available 24/7 at no cost. Our platform is optimized for both desktop and mobile devices, ensuring you can check traffic conditions wherever you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Albany traffic cameras free to view?
Yes, all traffic cameras on TrafficVision.Live are completely free. We aggregate 511NY and NYSDOT camera feeds that are already publicly available.
How often do Albany cameras update?
Most NYSDOT cameras refresh every 2-5 seconds, providing near real-time traffic conditions on highways and major intersections throughout the Capital Region.
Can I see cameras on the Northway (I-87) north of Albany?
Yes, our coverage extends along I-87 from the I-90 interchange through Colonie, Clifton Park, and into Saratoga County, covering all major exits and interchanges.
Do cameras show conditions during winter storms?
Yes, NYSDOT cameras operate year-round and are especially useful during snow and ice events. Check cameras along your route before driving to assess road treatment and visibility conditions.
Can I monitor traffic at the I-87/I-90 interchange?
Yes, we have multiple cameras covering the I-87/I-90 interchange (Thruway Exit 24), including approach ramps from all four directions. This is one of the most heavily monitored junctions in the Capital Region.
Where can I find Albany street feeds?
You can find live Albany street feeds and intersection cameras by using our interactive map, which aggregates 511NY and NYSDOT data for major surface routes like US-9 and NY-5.
Ready to View Albany Traffic Cameras?
Stop guessing about Capital Region traffic conditions. Our real-time camera feeds show you exactly what's happening on I-87, I-90, I-787, and city street feeds before you're stuck in it.
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