Albany, NY to Middle Island, NY is 200.9 miles and takes about 4h 17m via New York State Thruway and Long Island Expressway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, taking you south from the Northeast region into another part of the same region. The route is mostly highway driving, making it a straightforward trip if you're looking for efficiency. With a recommended one-day drive, you can easily reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
100.5 miles from Albany, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
111.2 mi
2h 8m
Long Island Expressway
30.3 mi
41m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
Middle Country Road
10.8 mi
16m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Clearview Expressway
3.2 mi
3m
Nesconset Highway
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 111.2 mi, about 2h 8m
Traffic on I-495
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~4,880 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~521 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 24 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany, NY and Middle Island, NY.
1
Start on this road
30 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto NY 5
352 ft·10 sec·Washington Avenue
3
Turn left onto Eagle Street
156 ft·4 sec·Eagle Street
4
Turn slight right onto Pine Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·Pine Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto Broadway
0.2 mi·41 sec·Broadway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto Broadway
0.2 mi·24 sec·Broadway
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 787 South
8
Merge onto I 787
1.1 mi·1 min·I 787
9
Continue on I 787
0.6 mi·1 min·I 787
Exit 1Toward I 87 Toll: New York State Thruway
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1
11
Merge onto I 87
111 mi·2 hr 8 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
14
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
17
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
22
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
24
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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.
26
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
27
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 295
3.2 mi·3 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 4E-WToward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long IslandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 4EToward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
31
Merge onto I 495
30 mi·41 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 56Toward NY 111: Smithtown, IslipUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
0.2 mi·23 sec·Express Drive South
34
Continue on Express Drive South
0.4 mi·44 sec·Express Drive South
35
Turn left onto NY 111
1.6 mi·2 min·Wheeler Road
36
Continue on NY 111
0.1 mi·17 sec·Townline Road
Use the left lane.
37
Turn left onto NY 111
0.4 mi·35 sec·Hauppauge Boulevard
Use the left lane.
38
Turn slight right onto NY 347
1.3 mi·2 min·Nesconset-Port Jefferson Highway
39
Continue on NY 347
2.5 mi·3 min·Nesconset Highway
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward Route 25, Middle Country Road EAST, Centereach, Riverhead
41
Turn right onto NY 25
11 mi·16 min·Middle Country Road
Use the straight lane.
42
Turn left
28 ft·2 sec
43
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 17-minute drive, departing in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour congestion on Long Island. Since it's a single-day trip, you won't need to plan for an overnight stay, offering flexibility. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 111 miles on the New York State Thruway, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that segment, as stops might be less frequent. Budget around $36 for fuel for the 200.9-mile journey.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 100.5 miles from Albany, NY, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 44 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.5 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Middle Island, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Albany, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Albany, NY
This is one driving day of about 200.9 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Albany, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 111.2 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 114.4 and 152.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
114.4 mi into trip|~2h 15m in|NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
115.8 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
144.8 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 6B
Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge
8
152.6 mi into trip|~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4E-W
Toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
8
152.8 mi into trip|~3h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 4E
Toward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, East...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.50 one way
$65.00 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$35.27
$70.54
premium
$4.85
$38.35
$76.69
diesel
$4.80
$37.93
$75.87
Estimated Tolls: $28.11
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(111.2 mi)$5.56
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
$33
Tolls
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.3
0
$21.09
$9.64
Efficient EV
50.2
0
$17.58
$8.04
EV Truck/SUV
80.4
1
$28.13
$12.86
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Albany, NY
Late night
in Albany on Monday
Local time
2:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 to 10 mph51% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:56PM EDT until July 19 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:56PM EDT until July 19 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Destination
Middle Island, NY
Late night
in Middle Island on Monday
Local time
2:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph70% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:56PM EDT until July 19 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:56PM EDT until July 19 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
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.
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
11 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 17m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 138.6
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 138.6
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 138.6
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 138.6
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 138.6
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 138.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 33% of this 200.9-mile drive is on highways. You'll experience a long stretch of 111.2 miles on the New York State Thruway, which is a significant portion of the trip. After the highway sections, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of the drive. Expect a mix of cruising and navigating through areas with more frequent exits and local traffic as you get closer to Middle Island.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.2 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 114.4 miles in near NY 17.
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 26 significant decision points across 200.9 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 114.4 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.8 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.8 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
525 ft11 ft
Total Climb
792 ft
Total Descent
853 ft
Highest Point
525 ft
~100.5 mi in
Elevation Range
514 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Albany, NY and Middle Island, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York, Eastern Long Island, Islip and Middle Country Road East - among others.
Gsp South: Paterson
129.8 mi in|~2h 35m
Fort Lee
129.8 mi in|~2h 35m
New York
129.8 mi in|~2h 35m
Eastern Long Island
152.6 mi in|~3h 7m
Islip
183.3 mi in|~3h 49m
Middle Country Road East
190 mi in|~3h 59m
Centereach
190 mi in|~3h 59m
Riverhead
190 mi in|~3h 59m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Albany is the capital of New York. Albany is an interesting showcase of several centuries' worth of architectural styles, including the modernistic Empire State Plaza.
Top landmarks
•New York State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of New York
•Fort Orange — fort in New Netherland (now Albany, New York)
•Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — historic cathedral in Albany, New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 17m. Total distance: 200.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.2 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $28.11 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.
Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Middle Island, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 114.4 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.8 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.8 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Middle Island, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
