Spanning 59.5 miles across the Northeast, this trip from Buchanan to Oyster Bay is a straightforward journey typically taking about 1 hour and 34 minutes. Because the total duration is quite manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $10 for fuel to complete the trip. As you travel from the Hudson Valley area toward the North Shore of Long Island, you will navigate a mix of regional landscapes. It is a practical drive for anyone looking to connect these two New York locales without turning the commute into a multi-day ordeal.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
29.7 miles from Buchanan, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Northern Boulevard
14.5 mi
24m
Sprain Brook Parkway
12.8 mi
17m
US 9
12.4 mi
19m
North Columbus Avenue
2.3 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Expressway
2.2 mi
3m
Clearview Expressway
2.1 mi
2m
New England Thruway
2.1 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Northern Boulevard
— 14.5 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buchanan, NY and Oyster Bay, NY.
1
Start on this road
28 ft·3 sec·this road
2
Continue on Tate Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Tate Avenue
3
Turn slight left onto NY 9A
0.5 mi·51 sec·Albany Post Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
5
Merge onto US 9
12 mi·19 min·US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward New York City
7
Merge onto Taconic State Parkway
1.9 mi·2 min·Taconic State Parkway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto Sprain Brook Parkway
13 mi·17 min·Sprain Brook Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on Bronx River Parkway
0.4 mi·44 sec·Bronx River Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 11EToward Cross County Parkway East, Mount VernonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
0.7 mi·1 min·Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 8Toward NY 22: North Columbus Avenue, Mount VernonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto Parkway South
380 ft·15 sec·Parkway South
Toward NY 22
14
Turn right onto NY 22
2.3 mi·3 min·North Columbus Avenue
15
Continue on NY 22
0.2 mi·17 sec·South 3rd Avenue
16
Continue on NY 22
0.3 mi·1 min·Provost Avenue
17
Continue on Conner Street
0.2 mi·21 sec·Conner Street
18
Turn right onto New England Thruway
0.5 mi·59 sec·New England Thruway
19
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 95 South
20
Merge onto I 95
1.5 mi·2 min·New England Thruway
21
Continue on I 95
1.3 mi·2 min·Bruckner Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695
2.2 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Exit 7AToward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long IslandUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·2 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 5Toward NY 25A: Northern BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on Clearview Expressway
457 ft·17 sec·Clearview Expressway
27
Turn left onto NY 25A
15 mi·24 min·Northern Boulevard
Use the left lane.
28
Turn left onto NY 106
0.3 mi·29 sec·Jericho Oyster Bay Road
29
Turn straight onto NY 106
0.5 mi·46 sec·Oyster Bay Road
30
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 106
260 ft·4 sec·Oyster Bay Road
31
Continue on NY 106
0.9 mi·1 min·Pine Hollow Road
Use the left lane.
32
Continue on NY 106
105 ft·5 sec·South Street
33
Turn right onto Berry Hill Road
112 ft·9 sec·Berry Hill Road
34
Continue on Berry Hill Road
64 ft·2 sec·Berry Hill Road
35
Arrive at destination
Berry Hill Road
Trip Plan
Given the 1-hour and 34-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak rush hours is always wise when navigating these New York thoroughfares. Since there are no formal stops required for a trip of this length, you can easily complete the entire 59.5-mile stretch in one go. Keep your $10 fuel budget in mind before you head out to ensure you aren't searching for stations in unfamiliar territory. A concrete tip for this specific drive is to keep a close eye on your GPS when navigating the Northern Boulevard section, as the transition from highway speeds to local traffic can happen quickly. Enjoy the simplicity of this short drive by keeping your itinerary light and adaptable.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 29.7 miles from Buchanan, NY, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.5 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 13 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.7 miles or 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
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 Buchanan, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Buchanan, NY
This is one driving day of about 59.5 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Buchanan, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Northern Boulevard for about 14.5 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.6 and 42.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
15.6 mi into trip|~24m in|Sprain Brook Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto Sprain Brook Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
28.9 mi into trip|~42m in
Take the exit toward Cross County Parkway East, Mount Vernon
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.
Exit 11E
Toward Cross County Parkway East, Mount Vernon
8
30 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the exit toward NY 22: North Columbus Avenue, Mount Vernon
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.
Exit 8
Toward NY 22: North Columbus Avenue, Mount Vern...
9
36.7 mi into trip|~56m in|I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway toward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 7A
Toward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Is...
7
42.9 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward NY 25A: Northern Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward NY 25A: Northern Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.79 one way
$19.59 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg21 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$10.59
$21.18
premium
$4.92
$11.53
$23.06
diesel
$5.61
$13.14
$26.27
Estimated Tolls: $6.70
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New England Thruway
(1.5 mi)$0.11
New England Thruway
(0.5 mi)$0.04
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
$10
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
17.8
0
$6.25
$2.86
Efficient EV
14.9
0
$5.21
$2.38
EV Truck/SUV
23.8
0
$8.33
$3.81
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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 17, 2026
Origin
Buchanan, NY
Evening
in Buchanan on Sunday
Local time
5:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oyster Bay, NY
Evening
in Oyster Bay on Sunday
Local time
5:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
N 8 mph54% chanceLive forecast
43°F
Mount Vernon, NY
30 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
31 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
1h 34m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 36.9
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 36.9
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 43.1
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 36.9
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 43.1
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 43.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances high-speed transit with local navigation. With roughly 57% of the trip spent on highways, you will spend a significant portion of your time on the Sprain Brook Parkway and US 9 before transitioning onto local roads like Northern Boulevard. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 14.5 miles on Northern Boulevard, which offers a brief reprieve from frequent turns. Overall, the road personality shifts from more open parkway segments to the more congested, stop-and-go nature typical of local road driving. Stay alert as the environment changes, as the transition between these road types requires constant attention to shifting traffic patterns.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.5 mi on Northern Boulevard.
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 15.6 miles in near Sprain Brook Parkway.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.5 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 15.6 miles (Sprain Brook Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
408 ft10 ft
Total Climb
569 ft
Total Descent
564 ft
Highest Point
408 ft
~17 mi in
Elevation Range
398 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Buchanan, NY and Oyster Bay, NY, road signs point toward New York City, Cross County Parkway East, Mount Vernon and Long Island.
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 1h 34m. Total distance: 59.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.5 miles on Northern Boulevard. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.70 in tolls one way, starting with Throgs Neck 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.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.6 miles (Sprain Brook Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and African Burial Ground 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 Oyster Bay, NY before heading back.
