Traveling from Amboy to Oyster Bay covers 286.1 miles, a journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 55 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you can comfortably complete the trip in a single day, making it an efficient way to cross New York state. You should budget approximately $47 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating via I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and I-380 keeps the pace steady as you transition across the Northeast region. It is a straightforward route that prioritizes speed over scenic detours, making it ideal if your goal is simply to reach your destination without unnecessary delays.
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
143.1 miles from Amboy, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
128.7 mi
2h 32m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Northern Boulevard
14.5 mi
24m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Christopher Columbus Highway
5.5 mi
5m
I 690
4.1 mi
5m
I 84
3.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 128.7 mi, about 2h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amboy, NY and Oyster Bay, NY.
1
Start on Airport Road
73 ft·6 sec·Airport Road
2
Turn left onto NY 173
0.8 mi·1 min·Warners Road
3
Turn right onto Hinsdale Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Hinsdale Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NY 5 East
5
Merge onto NY 5
1.1 mi·1 min·NY 5
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward NY 695 North
7
Continue on NY 695
1.0 mi·1 min·NY 695
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·56 sec
Toward I 690 East
9
Merge onto I 690
4.1 mi·5 min·I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 81 South: BinghamtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 81
2.8 mi·4 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I-81
0.8 mi·48 sec·I-81
13
Continue on I 81
73 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
15
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.
16
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.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
18
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
19
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
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.
21
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.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
25
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
27
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
28
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
30
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
32
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
34
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
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.
36
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
37
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·2 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 5Toward NY 25A: Northern BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on Clearview Expressway
457 ft·17 sec·Clearview Expressway
41
Turn left onto NY 25A
15 mi·24 min·Northern Boulevard
Use the left lane.
42
Turn left onto NY 106
0.3 mi·29 sec·Jericho Oyster Bay Road
43
Turn straight onto NY 106
0.5 mi·46 sec·Oyster Bay Road
44
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 106
260 ft·4 sec·Oyster Bay Road
45
Continue on NY 106
0.9 mi·1 min·Pine Hollow Road
Use the left lane.
46
Continue on NY 106
105 ft·5 sec·South Street
47
Turn right onto Berry Hill Road
112 ft·9 sec·Berry Hill Road
48
Continue on Berry Hill Road
64 ft·2 sec·Berry Hill Road
49
Arrive at destination
Berry Hill Road
Trip Plan
To keep your travel day manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the drive is just under six hours, leaving early in the morning helps you avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach the destination. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the long I-81 stretch to ensure you aren't caught needing a station during the more remote sections. Because you have a set fuel budget of $47, tracking your mileage against your initial fill-up will help you stay on target. Treat this as a single-day push to maximize your time once you arrive in Oyster Bay.
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 143.1 miles from Amboy, NY, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.7 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 63 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.1 miles or 2h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 41m
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 Amboy, 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 Amboy, NY
This is one driving day of about 286.1 miles and 5h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Amboy, 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 I 81 for about 128.7 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 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 85.3 and 262.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
85.3 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
138.7 mi into trip|~2h 47m 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
253.2 mi into trip|~5h 3m 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
253.5 mi into trip|~5h 3m 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
8
262.9 mi into trip|~5h 17m 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
$47.09 one way
$94.19 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$50.92
$101.85
premium
$4.92
$55.45
$110.90
diesel
$5.61
$63.17
$126.33
Estimated Tolls: $22.55
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
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
$47
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$95–$120
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.8
1
$30.04
$13.73
Efficient EV
71.5
0
$25.03
$11.44
EV Truck/SUV
114.4
1
$40.05
$18.31
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Amboy, NY
Morning
in Amboy on Sunday
Local time
10:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oyster Bay, NY
Morning
in Oyster Bay on Sunday
Local time
10:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 6 to 12 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
49°F
Ramapo, NY
143 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
39 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
5h 55m 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 256.5
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 256.5
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 256.5
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 256.5
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 256.5
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 256.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by consistent highway travel, as 61% of your journey stays on major interstates. The experience is dominated by long, uninterrupted stretches, most notably the 128.7-mile segment on I-81 that serves as the longest portion of the drive. While the road personality is largely utilitarian and focused on efficiency, the transition between these major arteries keeps the momentum moving forward. You will find that the lack of technical local roads allows for a predictable, high-speed pace throughout the day. It is a no-nonsense interstate grind that rewards drivers who prefer steady cruising over navigating complex secondary highways.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
49 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.7 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 85.3 miles in near I 81.
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 31 significant decision points across 286.1 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 85.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.2 miles: 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 Amboy, NY and Oyster Bay, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.
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.
Top landmarks
•Christ Church — historic Episcopal parish in Oyster Bay, New York, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 55m. Total distance: 286.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.7 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $22.55 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 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 85.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.2 miles: 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 Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 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.
