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Trip from Albany, NY to Sayville, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 7m

Distance

193.9 mi

312 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
3h 54m ★
6 AM
4h 7m
8 AM
4h 34m
10 AM
4h 16m
12 PM
4h 14m
3 PM
4h 18m
5 PM
4h 32m
8 PM
3h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York, United States

Sayville, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Albany to Sayville is 193.9 miles and takes about 4 hours 7 minutes via the New York State Thruway and Long Island Expressway, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, traversing the Northeast region from its capital to Long Island. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. Plan for a mixed driving experience that balances speed with the occasional need to navigate more local road conditions as you approach your destination.

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

96.9 miles from Albany, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 111.2 mi 2h 8m
Long Island Expressway 32 mi 43m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Cross Bronx Expressway 6.6 mi 8m
Veterans Memorial Highway 4.2 mi 6m
Lakeland Avenue 3.8 mi 7m
Clearview Expressway 3.2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 111.2 mi, about 2h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Albany, NY and Sayville, 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 1 Toward 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 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey Use 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 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah Use 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 Bridge Use 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 6B Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge Use 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-W Toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 4E Toward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
31

Merge onto I 495

32 mi · 43 min · Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 57 Toward NY 454: Commack, Patchogue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33

Turn straight onto Express Drive South

0.5 mi · 1 min · Express Drive South
34

Turn right onto NY 454

4.2 mi · 6 min · Veterans Memorial Highway
35

Turn right onto CR 93

3.8 mi · 7 min · Lakeland Avenue
Use the right lane.
36

Arrive at destination

Gillette Avenue

Trip Plan

With a drive time under 4.5 hours, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day. Aim to depart Albany early to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially if heading out on a weekday. The longest stretch of 111.2 miles on the New York State Thruway offers a good opportunity to drive efficiently, so consider making your primary stop before or after this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $32 estimated cost suggests several fill-ups may be needed over the 193.9 miles, particularly on the toll roads.

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 96.9 miles from Albany, NY, or about 1h 54m 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 43 miles or 52m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 96.9 miles or 1h 54m 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 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sayville, 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 193.9 miles and 4h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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.

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

97 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Rhinebeck, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ramapo, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 96.9 miles from Albany, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

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

$31.92 one way

$63.83 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 68 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $34.51 $69.03
premium $4.92 $37.58 $75.16
diesel $5.61 $42.81 $85.62

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

$32

Tolls

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$85–$110

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 67.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 58.2 0 $20.36 $9.31
Efficient EV 48.5 0 $16.97 $7.76
EV Truck/SUV 77.6 0 $27.15 $12.41

Gas CO2

68 kg

EV CO2

23 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 Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Albany, NY

Morning in Albany on Sunday

Local time

6:00 AM

EDT

Current temp

34°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sayville, NY

Morning in Sayville on Sunday

Local time

6:00 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Ramapo, NY

97 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.

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 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 7m 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

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 140.4
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

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 140.4
View on nps.gov
Fire Island National Seashore

Fire Island National Seashore

National Seashore

Immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife, Fire Island has been a special...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 193.9
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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 ~22 min detour Free near mile 140.4
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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 140.4
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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 140.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route features a 35% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on high-speed parkways and interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 111.2 miles, primarily on the New York State Thruway, offering a chance to settle in for a solid drive. Expect a mixed driving profile, transitioning from the faster pace of the Thruway to the Long Island Expressway, and then potentially navigating NJ 17 before reaching your final destination. This blend means you'll experience both efficient highway travel and moments that require more attention to local traffic patterns.

35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 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 Effort 10/10

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 24 significant decision points across 193.9 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.

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 Sayville, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Eastern Long Island.

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

About the Cities

Starting in Albany, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1686

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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 7m. Total distance: 193.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 7m 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.

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 Sayville, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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 Fire Island National Seashore (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Sayville, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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