This 398.8-mile journey from Alabama, NY to Babylon, NY will take approximately 8 hours and 22 minutes of driving time. It's a trip best split over two days, especially considering the "turn-heavy local drive" profile. You'll be traveling primarily on I 81, the New York State Thruway, and the Keystone Shortway, with highways making up about 45% of the route. With an estimated fuel cost of $65 and two planned stops, this drive offers a manageable pace for a two-day adventure across the Northeast region. It's a solid option if you're looking for a straightforward, albeit somewhat involved, drive between these two New York locations.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
199.4 miles from Alabama, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
New York State Thruway
80.7 mi
1h 33m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Southern State Parkway
18 mi
22m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alabama, NY and Babylon, NY.
1
Start on Lewiston Road
31 ft·6 sec·Lewiston Road
2
Turn left onto NY 63; NY 77
6.6 mi·9 min·Alleghany Road
3
Take the ramp
369 ft·9 sec
4
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·15 sec·this road
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 90 East: AlbanyUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 90
81 mi·1 hr 33 min·New York State Thruway
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
9
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
10
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
11
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
12
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
14
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
15
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
16
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
17
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
18
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
19
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
20
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
21
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
22
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
23
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
24
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
26
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
31
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
32
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
36
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
38
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
40
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
41
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
43
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
45
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
47
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
2.0 mi·2 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6BToward I 295 South: Throgs Neck BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
49
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
50
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
53
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
54
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
55
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
56
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
57
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
58
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
59
Merge onto SO
18 mi·22 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
60
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 33Toward NY 109 East: BabylonUse the slight right lane.
61
Turn slight right onto NY 109
3.5 mi·5 min·Farmingdale Road
Use the left lane.
62
Continue on NY 109
0.9 mi·1 min·Little East Neck Road North
63
Turn left onto NY 27A
0.5 mi·49 sec·West Main Street
64
Turn right onto South Carll Avenue
68 ft·2 sec·South Carll Avenue
65
Arrive at destination
South Carll Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 398.8-mile drive, plan to depart early to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially on the highway segments like I 81. Splitting the drive over two days is highly recommended, allowing for comfortable stops and reducing fatigue. Aim for your overnight stop roughly halfway through, perhaps after around 4-5 hours of driving. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $65 and you'll want to refuel strategically before hitting longer stretches or less populated areas. Since there are 2 recommended stops, use them to break up the drive and stretch your legs.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 199.4 miles from Alabama, NY, or about 4h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 88 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 199.4 miles or 4h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 199.4 miles or 4h 14m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Babylon, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alabama, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alabama, NY
Aim for roughly 199 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Babylon, NY
Aim for roughly 199 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Alabama, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 98.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 44
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 352.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
6.8 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 90 East: Albany
8
87.7 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
238 mi into trip|~5h in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
352.6 mi into trip|~7h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
352.9 mi into trip|~7h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.64 one way
$131.29 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg140 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$70.98
$141.97
premium
$4.92
$77.29
$154.59
diesel
$5.61
$88.05
$176.10
Estimated Tolls: $26.59
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(80.7 mi)$4.04
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Tolls
$27
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$222–$332
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 139.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
119.6
1
$41.87
$19.14
Efficient EV
99.7
1
$34.89
$15.95
EV Truck/SUV
159.5
1
$55.83
$25.52
Gas CO2
140 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Alabama, NY
Late night
in Alabama on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Babylon, NY
Late night
in Babylon on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Ramapo, NY
199 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
16 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 22m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 357.5
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 357.5
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 96.3
Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 357.5
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 357.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a driving experience that blends highway cruising with more intricate local road navigation, as indicated by the "turn-heavy local drive" profile. While 45% of the route utilizes highways, the remaining portion will involve more frequent turns and potentially slower speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 98.8 miles on I 81, offering a period of consistent travel before you transition back to more varied road conditions. This mix means you'll need to stay engaged, as the road's character shifts throughout the 8-hour-plus journey.
Only 45% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
65 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 44 significant decision points across 398.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 238 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,916 ft7 ft
Total Climb
2,223 ft
Total Descent
2,861 ft
Highest Point
1,916 ft
~256.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,909 ft
Notable High Points
1,916 ft at ~256.3 miles+536 ft prominence
913 ft at ~313.3 miles+575 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alabama, NY and Babylon, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.
Alabama is a state in the Southern United States. Alabama is known for its civil rights history and scenic beauty, and has a lot to offer those who enjoy the great outdoors, from Gulf Coast beaches to 40 National and stare parks.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 199 miles on day one.
Expect about $26.59 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Babylon, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 238 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.4 hours each way, a round trip means 16.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Babylon, NY before the return drive.
