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Trip from Amherst, NY to Bay Shore, NY

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

Drive Time

8h 45m

Distance

418.7 mi

674 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$69

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
8h 38m ★
6 AM
8h 46m
8 AM
9h 2m
10 AM
8h 51m
12 PM
8h 50m
3 PM
8h 52m
5 PM
9h 1m
8 PM
8h 41m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in New York, United States

Amherst, NY

Wikimedia Commons

hamlet within town of Islip, Suffolk County, New York, United States

Bay Shore, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 418.7 miles across New York, your journey from Amherst to Bay Shore takes approximately 8 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. While technically possible to push through in one long haul, splitting the trip into two days is highly recommended to keep the experience manageable. You will primarily navigate via the I-290 East, the Youngmann Expressway, and I-90 East to reach your destination. Budgeting roughly $68 for fuel is a smart move for this transit across the state. Because this route involves a significant time commitment, planning for two scheduled stops will help you maintain your energy levels. Ultimately, this drive is a practical way to traverse the Northeast, provided you approach the distance with realistic expectations.

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

209.3 miles from Amherst, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 99.4 mi 1h 54m
I 81 98.8 mi 1h 57m
Keystone Shortway 80 mi 1h 37m
Southern State Parkway 24.7 mi 31m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
East Lake Road 9.9 mi 14m
State Highway 41 9.8 mi 13m
Clark Street Road 9.6 mi 11m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 99.4 mi, about 1h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, NY and Bay Shore, NY.

1

Start on NY 263

0.4 mi · 50 sec · Millersport Highway
2

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 290 E
3

Merge onto I 290

2.4 mi · 3 min · Youngmann Expressway
4

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 57 sec
Exit 1-49 Toward I 90 East: Albany Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
5

Merge onto I 90

99 mi · 1 hr 54 min · New York State Thruway
6

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 58 sec
Exit 41 Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde Use the slight right lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork

327 ft · 7 sec
8

Continue on NY 414

0.3 mi · 35 sec · State Route 414
9

Turn left onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318
Use the left lane.
10

At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
11

Continue on US 20; NY 5

9.6 mi · 11 min · Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
12

Turn right onto State Street

226 ft · 12 sec · State Street
13

Turn left onto Dill Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Dill Street
14

Continue on Loop Road

458 ft · 16 sec · Loop Road
15

Turn left onto Genesee Street

5.5 mi · 9 min · Genesee Street
16

Continue on US 20

2.2 mi · 4 min · West Genesee Street Road
17

Turn right onto NY 41

0.5 mi · 45 sec · East Lake Street
18

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road
19

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
20

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road
21

Continue on NY 41

9.8 mi · 13 min · State Highway 41
22

Turn right onto NY 281

1.2 mi · 2 min · North West Street
23

Take the ramp

0.7 mi · 1 min
Use the left lane.
24

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
25

Merge onto I 81

45 mi · 54 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.
27

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 6
Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
28

Continue on I 84; I 380

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford Use the straight lane.
29

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
30

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
31

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
32

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 5 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level Use the slight right lane.
33

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.
35

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue
37

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
38

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
39

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
40

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
42

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
44

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
46

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47

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.
48

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
49

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51

Continue on NY 24

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
52

At end of road, turn left onto NY 24

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
53

Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue

0.9 mi · 2 min · Hempstead Avenue
54

Turn right onto 225th Street

228 ft · 9 sec · 225th Street
Use the right lane.
55

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
56

Merge onto CI

1.3 mi · 1 min · Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
57

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 25A Toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island Use the slight left / straight lanes.
58

Merge onto SO

25 mi · 31 min · Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
59

Keep slight left at fork onto SO

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
60

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 41S Toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore Use the slight right lane.
61

Turn straight onto CR 57

0.5 mi · 1 min · Bay Shore Road
62

Continue on CR 57

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Howells Road
63

Turn straight onto CR 57

341 ft · 6 sec · Sunrise Highway
64

Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57

0.6 mi · 1 min · Howells Road
Toward Howells Road South Use the right lane.
65

Continue on CR 57

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Roosevelt Street
66

Continue on CR 57

0.7 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue
67

At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A

0.2 mi · 21 sec · East Main Street
68

Turn left onto 1st Avenue

523 ft · 22 sec · 1st Avenue
69

Arrive at destination

1st Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 8 hour and 45 minute journey, aim to depart early in the morning to beat local congestion. Since you should plan for at least two stops, look for opportunities to rest that break up the drive into manageable segments. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, keep a close eye on your GPS and road signage to ensure you stay on the correct path through the I-290 and Youngmann Expressway transitions. If you choose to split the trip over two days, research overnight options halfway through the route to avoid rushing. Always keep your $68 fuel budget in mind, and try to refuel before hitting the more densely populated stretches near your destination.

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 209.3 miles from Amherst, NY, or about 4h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.4 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 92 miles or 1h 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 209.3 miles or 4h 24m 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 209.3 miles or 4h 24m

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 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bay Shore, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Amherst, 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 Amherst, NY

Aim for roughly 209 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Bay Shore, NY

Aim for roughly 209 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Amherst, 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 New York State Thruway for about 99.4 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

Overnight candidate

Ramapo, NY

209 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Ramapo, NY

Overnight Options

Night 1

Ramapo, NY

209 mi · about 4.4h in

A practical overnight split lands near Ramapo, NY after about 209 miles or 4.4 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Thompson, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 92 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Union, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 209.3 miles from Amherst, 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 99.4 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 209 miles or 4.4 hours on the road.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Crabtree's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Floral Park, New York

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 388.8

Hours: 12–10 pm

+15163267769

Visit website

Shogun Japan Japanese restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hollis, New York

1.5 mi

Juany's Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fair Lawn, New Jersey

2.4 mi

Crabtree's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 388.8

Floral Park, New York

Hours: 12–10 pm

+15163267769

Visit website

Shogun Japan Japanese restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 388.8

Hollis, New York

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13322041966

Visit website

Juany's Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 358.9

Fair Lawn, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+15512248030

Visit website

Sage Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 358.9

Fair Lawn, New Jersey

Hours: 4–9 pm

+12017970500

Visit website

Luigi's Restaurant And Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 388.8

Queens, New York

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+17183477136

Visit website

Fusion 27 restaurant and catering services

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately mile 358.9

Totowa, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+19735955595

Visit website

Bite Food & Coffee Co

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately mile 358.9

Fair Lawn, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+15512248072

Visit website

Lima 33 Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately mile 388.8

Little Neck, New York

Hours: 1–9 pm

+17182254949

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 119.6

Auburn, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 119.6

Auburn, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887174544

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 29.9

Batavia, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 29.9

Batavia, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Williamsville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 329

Randolph, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ViaLynk Charging Station

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 119.6

Auburn, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15186913119

Visit website

ViaLynk Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 119.6

Auburn, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336115965

Visit website

Play Space ABC Cayuga

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 119.6

Auburn, New York

Hours: 9 am–1 pm

+13152525541

Visit website

Cayuga Museum of History & Art

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 119.6

Auburn, New York

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13152538051

Visit website

Ward O'Hara Agricultural

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 119.6

Auburn, New York

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13152527644

Visit website

Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 10:30 am–2:30 pm

+17168563858

Visit website

Billy Wilson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Williamsville, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+17166317132

Visit website

The Buffalo Zoo

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17168373900

Visit website

Delaware Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17168381249

Visit website

Posh Princess Palace

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 358.9

Lodi, New Jersey

Hours: 1–7 pm

+18628997674

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 45

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 415.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
3.1 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Albany

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 1-49 Toward I 90 East: Albany
8
103.1 mi into trip | ~2h 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
253.4 mi into trip | ~5h 17m 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...
9
368.2 mi into trip | ~7h 33m 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
9
415.8 mi into trip | ~8h 39m in

Take the exit toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore

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 41S Toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$68.92 one way

$137.84 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 147 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $74.53 $149.05
premium $4.92 $81.15 $162.30
diesel $5.61 $92.44 $184.89

Estimated Tolls: $27.52

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55
New York State Thruway (99.4 mi) $4.97

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

$69

Tolls

$28

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$226–$336

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 146.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 125.6 1 $43.96 $20.10
Efficient EV 104.7 1 $36.64 $16.75
EV Truck/SUV 167.5 2 $58.62 $26.80

Gas CO2

146 kg

EV CO2

49 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 18, 2026

Origin

Amherst, NY

Night in Amherst on Saturday

Local time

10:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bay Shore, NY

Night in Bay Shore on Saturday

Local time

10:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Ramapo, NY

209 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

5 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

8h 45m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local driving experience that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route requires frequent navigation as you transition between major connectors and local paths. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches of highway here, which keeps the drive feeling active rather than passive. The personality of the road changes as you move through different environments, requiring you to stay alert to shifting traffic patterns. By embracing the technical nature of this drive, you will find it much easier to navigate the 418.7-mile distance without feeling fatigued by repetitive scenery.

Only 45% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
69 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.4 mi on New York State Thruway.

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 3.1 miles in.

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 45 significant decision points across 418.7 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 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.4 miles (US 6): 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 Amherst, NY and Bay Shore, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.

Clyde

103.1 mi in | ~2h

Mt Pocono

253.4 mi in | ~5h 17m | via US 6

Milford

254.2 mi in | ~5h 18m | via I 84; I 380

New York City

368 mi in | ~7h 33m

Leonia

368.2 mi in | ~7h 33m

Teaneck

368.2 mi in | ~7h 33m

George Washington Bridge Upper Level

370.5 mi in | ~7h 37m

Cross Island Parkway South

389.1 mi in | ~8h 4m

Southern State Parkway East

390.6 mi in | ~8h 6m

Eastern Long Island

390.6 mi in | ~8h 6m

About the Cities

Starting in Amherst, NY

Full guide →

Amherst is a town in the Northtowns of Erie County, New York.

Top landmarks

  • • Entranceway at Main Street at Roycroft Boulevard — residential landscape feature in Amherst, New York state, USA
  • • Entranceways at Main Street at Lamarck Drive and Smallwood Drive — residential landscape feature in Amherst, New York state, USA

Arriving in Bay Shore, NY

Full guide →

Bay Shore is a hamlet in the town of Islip on Long Island in the state of New York.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 99.4 miles on New York State Thruway. 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 209 miles on day one.

Expect about $27.52 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 Bay Shore, 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 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 8.8 hours each way, a round trip means 17.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bay Shore, NY before the return drive.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Continue From Bay Shore, NY

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