Babylon to Esopus is 121.6 miles and takes about 2 hours 40 minutes via NY 17 and Southern State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. With 90% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward journey focused on covering ground efficiently. The route is primarily a highway-focused drive, so pack accordingly for comfort on interstates. This is a solid choice if you're looking for a quick trip between two points in the Northeast.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
60.8 miles from Babylon, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
29.9 mi
34m
Southern State Parkway
17.9 mi
22m
NJ 17
14.7 mi
18m
Route 9W
14.5 mi
19m
US 9W
7.7 mi
9m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 29.9 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Babylon, NY and Esopus, NY.
1
Start on South Carll Avenue
68 ft·11 sec·South Carll Avenue
2
Turn left onto NY 27A
0.5 mi·51 sec·West Main Street
3
Turn right onto NY 109
0.9 mi·1 min·Little East Neck Road North
4
Continue on NY 109
3.6 mi·5 min·Farmingdale Road
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward SO West: New York
6
Merge onto SO
18 mi·22 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
9
Take the exit
317 ft·9 sec
Exit 26BToward NY 24: UBS Arena-Belmont ParkUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
437 ft·12 sec
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead AvenueUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West
12
Keep slight right at fork
266 ft·8 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·13 sec·this road
Toward Grandstand, Hempstead Avenue West
14
Keep slight left at fork
100 ft·4 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue
15
Turn right onto NY 24
1.0 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Jamaica Avenue
17
Turn right onto NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·212th Street
18
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
20
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi·8 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
23
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
24
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi·39 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 72AToward NJ 4 West: ParamusUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
29
Merge onto NJ 4
6.7 mi·9 min·NJ 4
Use the slight right lane.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, MahwahUse the straight lane.
31
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: MahwahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
35
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
36
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
37
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
30 mi·34 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
38
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Exit 17Toward I 84, NY 300, NY 17K: Scranton, NewburghUse the slight right lane.
39
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward I 84, NY 300: Danbury, Scranton
40
Continue on this road
485 ft·11 sec·this road
41
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 84 East: Danbury
42
Merge onto I 84
2.2 mi·2 min·I 84
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 39Toward US 9W, NY 32: Highland, NewburghUse the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Turn left onto US 9W; NY 32
410 ft·13 sec·North Robinson Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
45
Continue on US 9W
14 mi·19 min·Route 9W
Use the left lane.
46
Continue on US 9W; US 44; NY 55
0.9 mi·1 min·US 9W; US 44; NY 55
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
47
Continue on US 9W
6.8 mi·8 min·US 9W
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
48
Turn slight right onto Main Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·Main Street
49
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 40 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You can leave Babylon in the morning and arrive in Esopus with plenty of daylight remaining. With a fuel cost estimated around $20, it's an economical trip. Consider making your only planned stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if necessary, though the drive is short enough that this might not be essential. Keep an eye on traffic, especially when transitioning onto the Southern State Parkway, as it can get busy during peak hours.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.8 miles from Babylon, NY, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.9 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 27 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.8 miles or 1h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Esopus, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Babylon, 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 Babylon, NY
This is one driving day of about 121.6 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Babylon, 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 NY 17 for about 29.9 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 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 24.7 and 50.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
24.7 mi into trip|~33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
8
24.9 mi into trip|~34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hempstead Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Hempstead Avenue West
8
43.7 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
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.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
9
43.9 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
8
50.9 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.02 one way
$40.03 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$21.64
$43.29
premium
$4.92
$23.57
$47.14
diesel
$5.61
$26.85
$53.70
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
$20
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.5
0
$12.77
$5.84
Efficient EV
30.4
0
$10.64
$4.86
EV Truck/SUV
48.6
0
$17.02
$7.78
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Babylon, NY
Late night
in Babylon on Tuesday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Esopus, NY
Late night
in Esopus on Tuesday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°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
2 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
2h 40m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
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...
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 41.9
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 41.9
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 41.9
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 41.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the journey utilizing high-speed roads. You'll spend most of your time on the Southern State Parkway and NY 17, which are designed for quicker travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29.9 miles on NY 17, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. While primarily highway, be prepared for potential variations in traffic depending on the time of day and any construction zones. The character of the drive is efficient and direct, minimizing slower local roads.
90% 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: 29.9 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and Southern State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.7 miles in.
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 32 significant decision points across 121.6 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 24.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Babylon, NY and Esopus, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Gsp South - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 121.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.9 miles on NY 17. 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.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Esopus, 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 24.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Esopus, NY before heading back.
