This 342.9-mile drive from Altona, NY to Oyster Bay, NY will take approximately 7 hours and 4 minutes, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. You'll primarily be on the Adirondack Northway and I-87 for a significant portion of your journey. With a projected fuel cost of around $56 and two recommended stops, this route offers a practical way to travel within New York State. The drive features a mixed profile, suggesting you'll experience a variety of road types. It's a straightforward path through the Northeast region, connecting two points within the same state.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
171.4 miles from Altona, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Adirondack Northway
152 mi
2h 57m
I 87
118.6 mi
2h 17m
Military Turnpike
14.7 mi
20m
Northern Boulevard
14.5 mi
24m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Devils Den Road
2.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Adirondack Northway
— 152 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altona, NY and Oyster Bay, NY.
1
Start on CR 23
18 ft·6 sec·Miner Farm Road
2
Turn left onto CR 16
2.3 mi·5 min·Devils Den Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto NY 190
15 mi·20 min·Military Turnpike
4
Turn left onto NY 3
1.0 mi·1 min·State Route 3
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
7
Merge onto I 87
152 mi·2 hr 57 min·Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
0.3 mi·31 sec·I 87
Exit 1E-WToward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, BuffaloUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on I 87
0.5 mi·51 sec·I 87
Exit 1WToward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 87
Toward I 87 South: New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
13
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.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
16
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
21
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
23
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
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.
25
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
26
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·2 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 5Toward NY 25A: Northern BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on Clearview Expressway
457 ft·17 sec·Clearview Expressway
30
Turn left onto NY 25A
15 mi·24 min·Northern Boulevard
Use the left lane.
31
Turn left onto NY 106
0.3 mi·29 sec·Jericho Oyster Bay Road
32
Turn straight onto NY 106
0.5 mi·46 sec·Oyster Bay Road
33
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 106
260 ft·4 sec·Oyster Bay Road
34
Continue on NY 106
0.9 mi·1 min·Pine Hollow Road
Use the left lane.
35
Continue on NY 106
105 ft·5 sec·South Street
36
Turn right onto Berry Hill Road
112 ft·9 sec·Berry Hill Road
37
Continue on Berry Hill Road
64 ft·2 sec·Berry Hill Road
38
Arrive at destination
Berry Hill Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Altona to avoid potential traffic as you get closer to the Oyster Bay area. With 342.9 miles to cover, pacing yourself with the two recommended stops is key. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 152-mile stretch on the Adirondack Northway where services might be less frequent. The $56 fuel estimate is a good starting point for budgeting your trip. Given the duration, packing snacks and drinks can enhance comfort between planned stops.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 171.4 miles from Altona, NY, or about 3h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152 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 75 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.4 miles or 3h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oyster Bay, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Altona, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Altona, NY
This is one driving day of about 342.9 miles and 7h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Altona, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Adirondack Northway for about 152 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 170.7 and 319.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
170.7 mi into trip|~3h 26m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1E-W
Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
7
171.5 mi into trip|~3h 27m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 87 South: New York
9
289.3 mi into trip|~5h 44m 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
290.7 mi into trip|~5h 46m 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
319.7 mi into trip|~6h 26m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.44 one way
$112.89 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$61.03
$122.07
premium
$4.92
$66.46
$132.92
diesel
$5.61
$75.71
$151.42
Estimated Tolls: $23.58
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
Military Turnpike
(14.7 mi)$1.03
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
$56
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$105–$130
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.9
1
$36.00
$16.46
Efficient EV
85.7
0
$30.00
$13.72
EV Truck/SUV
137.2
1
$48.01
$21.95
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Altona, NY
Late night
in Altona on Sunday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oyster Bay, NY
Late night
in Oyster Bay on Sunday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
8 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
7h 4m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 319.2
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 319.2
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 141.9
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 319.2
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 319.2
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 319.2
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's about half highway, with a 49% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 152 miles on the Adirondack Northway, which means you can cover a good amount of ground before needing to think about a break. The 'mixed drive' profile indicates that while you have substantial highway mileage, you'll also navigate other road types, likely transitioning from more rural to more developed areas as you approach your destination. This route isn't a constant interstate grind but offers a blend of faster travel and potentially more local road sections.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 152 mi on Adirondack Northway.
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 170.7 miles in near I 87.
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 24 significant decision points across 342.9 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 170.7 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.5 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 289.3 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Altona, NY and Oyster Bay, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Gsp South: Paterson and Fort Lee.
Oyster Bay is one of three towns in Nassau County, on Long Island, New York.
The town of Oyster Bay comprises a large portion of eastern Nassau County and includes a slew of villages and other communities. This article covers North Oyster Bay – the area closest to Oyster Bay itself (in other words, everything that is north of the Long Island Expressway). See South Oyster Bay for the southern half of the town (in other words, the area south of the expressway). See the article for Glen Cove for communities in the northwest part of the town that are closest to that city.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 4m. Total distance: 342.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 152 miles on Adirondack Northway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.58 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 Oyster Bay, 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 170.7 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.5 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 289.3 miles (NY 17): 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 Saratoga 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 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Oyster Bay, NY before the return drive.
