Bosphorus Restaurant
Early in the drive, short detour
Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey
Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm
+19733359690
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 33m
Distance
322.4 mi
519 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Babylon, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Wheeler, NY
Wikimedia Commons
This 322.4-mile journey from Babylon, NY to Wheeler, NY is a substantial undertaking, estimated to take around 6 hours and 33 minutes of pure driving time. Given the duration and the nature of the route, it's best considered as a single-day trip, though an early start is highly recommended. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, utilizing West Main Street, Little East Neck Road North, and Farmingdale Road for significant portions of your travel. With a projected fuel cost of approximately $52, this drive offers a budget-friendly way to traverse between two points within the Northeast region. The route is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging, less monotonous drive than highway travel.
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
161.2 miles from Babylon, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 22m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 86 | 99 mi | 1h 55m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 68.2 mi | 1h 20m |
| I 81 | 58.1 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 380 | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| Southern State Parkway | 17.9 mi | 22m |
| Keystone Shortway | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Clearview Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 168 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,210 veh/hr typical · worst 4,900
Quietest
1 AM
~430 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Babylon, NY and Wheeler, NY.
Start on South Carll Avenue
Turn left onto NY 27A
Turn right onto NY 109
Continue on NY 109
Take the ramp
Merge onto SO
Take the exit
Merge onto CI
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto NY 24
Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue
Turn right onto NY 24
Continue on I 295
Continue on I 295
Continue on I 295
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
Take the exit
Continue on I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Take the exit
Continue on I 380
Merge onto I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
Take the exit
Turn right onto NY 53
Turn left onto Fritz Hill Road
Arrive at destination
To best manage this 322.4-mile, 6-hour 33-minute drive, consider departing Babylon, NY before 8 AM to maximize daylight and potentially avoid peak traffic. Since this is a single-day trip with a 0% highway share and a turn-heavy profile, plan for more frequent, shorter stops rather than one long break. The estimated fuel cost is around $52, so ensure your tank is full before you leave and keep an eye on your gauge, especially as you enter less populated areas. A practical tip for this route: be extra vigilant when navigating intersections, as the 'turn-heavy' nature means you'll be making many turns; double-checking your navigation before each one will prevent backtracking.
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 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 71 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.2 miles or 3h 22m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wheeler, NY than in the middle of the route.
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 322.4 miles and 6h 33m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 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.
A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 161.2 miles from Babylon, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · early in the drive
Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey
Early in the drive, short detour
Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm
+19733359690
Crabtree's Restaurant
Floral Park, New York
Shogun Japan Japanese restaurant
Hollis, New York
Best coffee break · first break window
Englewood, New Jersey
Near the start, short detour
Hours: Closed
+12015675111
Marimba Cafe
Hackensack, New Jersey
Wonderland Play and Party
South Hackensack, New Jersey
Early in the drive, short detour
Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey
Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm
+19733359690
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Floral Park, New York
Hours: 12–10 pm
+15163267769
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~9 min detour
Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+19732993399
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Hollis, New York
Hours: 12–9 pm
+13322041966
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~9 min detour
Boonton, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+19739173334
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Paramus, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+12014871088
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Queens, New York
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+17183477136
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Hours: 5 am–9 pm
+15704216566
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Englewood, New Jersey
Hours: Closed
+12015675111
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Hackensack, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+12012563010
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
South Hackensack, New Jersey
Hours: 10 am–7 pm
+12014265898
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
New York, New York
+19172614093
Near the end, short detour
Painted Post, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Elmira, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Painted Post, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Horseheads, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18334662474
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Mt Pocono, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Leonia, New Jersey
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+12013367275
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Ridgefield Park, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
Near the start, right off the route
Teaneck, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+12018362403
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Englewood, New Jersey
Hours: Closed
+12014085555
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Englewood, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–5 pm
+12015415559
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Parsippany, New Jersey
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+19732637254
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Englewood, New Jersey
Hours: 10 am–1 pm
+12018151784
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lindenhurst, New York
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+16317861136
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 24.7 and 46.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward Hempstead Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$52.40 one way
$104.79 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $56.71 | $113.42 |
| premium | $4.87 | $61.76 | $123.53 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $68.58 | $137.16 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.83
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
$52
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$100–$125
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.7 | 1 | $33.85 | $15.48 |
| Efficient EV | 80.6 | 0 | $28.21 | $12.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 129 | 1 | $45.14 | $20.63 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Babylon on Sunday
Local time
12:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Wheeler on Sunday
Local time
12:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for the entirety of this 322.4-mile route, as the highway share is 0%. This means you'll be on surface streets and local roads for the full 6 hours and 33 minutes. While there isn't a "longest stretch" data point provided, the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests frequent intersections and changes in direction. This type of driving requires constant attention and can feel more immersive than cruising on an interstate. You'll likely experience varying speed limits and traffic conditions as you pass through different communities on your way from Babylon to Wheeler.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and Christopher Columbus Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.7 miles in.
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 322.4 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Babylon, NY and Wheeler, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Hackensack.
Cross Island Parkway North
Hempstead Avenue West
Grandstand
Upper Level
Njtp South: Hackensack
Hackensack
Founded 1820
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 33m. Total distance: 322.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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