Cambridge, NY to Babylon, NY is 219.5 miles and takes about 4h 49m via New York State Thruway, Southern State Parkway, and NJ 17, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, connecting the Northeast region. It's a single-day drive that relies heavily on major parkways and the Thruway, making it a fairly direct path. Consider this route if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently with minimal fuss.
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
109.7 miles from Cambridge, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
111.2 mi
2h 8m
Southern State Parkway
18 mi
22m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
State Highway 67
10.9 mi
17m
I 787
10.5 mi
15m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
South Park Street
5.3 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 111.2 mi, about 2h 8m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,026 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,234 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 21 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge, NY and Babylon, NY.
1
Start on Broad Street
56 ft·9 sec·Broad Street
2
Turn left onto 372
0.3 mi·42 sec·West Main Street
3
Turn right onto NY 22
5.3 mi·8 min·South Park Street
4
Turn right onto NY 67
11 mi·17 min·State Highway 67
5
Turn left onto CR 117
0.6 mi·1 min·State Street
6
Continue on CR 117
2.4 mi·4 min·Melrose-Valley Falls Road
7
Continue on CR 119
1.4 mi·1 min·CR 119 - Madigan Road
8
Turn slight right onto CR 117
1.5 mi·2 min·Melrose-Valley Falls Road
9
Turn straight onto NY 40
2.6 mi·4 min·State Highway 40
10
Continue on NY 40
1.1 mi·2 min·Speigletown Road
11
Continue on NY 40
518 ft·13 sec·Brickyard Road
12
Continue on NY 40
0.6 mi·1 min·Leversee Road
13
Turn right onto NY 40; NY 142
465 ft·18 sec·Plank Road
14
Turn left onto NY 40
3.4 mi·7 min·Oakwood Avenue
15
Continue on NY 40
392 ft·14 sec·10th Street
16
Turn right onto NY 7
513 ft·16 sec·Hoosick Street
Use the right lane.
17
Turn right onto I 787; NY 7
0.5 mi·42 sec·I 787; NY 7
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 787
9.4 mi·13 min·I 787
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on I 787
0.6 mi·1 min·I 787
Exit 1Toward I 87 Toll: New York State Thruway
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1
21
Merge onto I 87
111 mi·2 hr 8 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
24
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
27
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
28
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
30
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 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
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
40
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
41
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
42
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
43
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
44
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
46
Merge onto SO
18 mi·22 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 33Toward NY 109 East: BabylonUse the slight right lane.
48
Turn slight right onto NY 109
3.5 mi·5 min·Farmingdale Road
Use the left lane.
49
Continue on NY 109
0.9 mi·1 min·Little East Neck Road North
50
Turn left onto NY 27A
0.5 mi·49 sec·West Main Street
51
Turn right onto South Carll Avenue
68 ft·2 sec·South Carll Avenue
52
Arrive at destination
South Carll Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 49 minute estimated drive time, leaving Cambridge, NY in the morning should allow you to reach Babylon, NY well before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $39, this is a straightforward trip. The 111.2-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway is a good point to ensure you have enough fuel before transitioning to more varied road types. Since it's a single-day drive, you have flexibility for an early start or a slightly later departure.
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 109.7 miles from Cambridge, NY, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.2 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 48 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.7 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Babylon, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cambridge, 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 Cambridge, NY
This is one driving day of about 219.5 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Cambridge, 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 New York State Thruway for about 111.2 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 152.6 and 214.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
152.6 mi into trip|~3h 16m in|NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
154 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
183 mi into trip|~3h 58m 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
8
196 mi into trip|~4h 17m in
Take the exit toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 25A
Toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Lon...
7
214.4 mi into trip|~4h 41m in
Take the exit toward NY 109 East: Babylon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 33
Toward NY 109 East: Babylon
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.51 one way
$71.02 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$38.53
$77.07
premium
$4.85
$41.90
$83.79
diesel
$4.80
$41.45
$82.89
Estimated Tolls: $28.11
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(111.2 mi)$5.56
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
$36
Tolls
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.9
0
$23.05
$10.54
Efficient EV
54.9
0
$19.21
$8.78
EV Truck/SUV
87.8
1
$30.73
$14.05
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Cambridge, NY
Night
in Cambridge on Monday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Smoke
SW 12 mph73% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:03PM EDT until July 18 at 5:45PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:00PM EDT until July 18 at 6:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Babylon, NY
Night
in Babylon on Monday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 14 mph52% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:03PM EDT until July 18 at 5:45PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:00PM EDT until July 18 at 6:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
5 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
4h 49m 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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 181.6
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 174.1
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 15.1
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 181.6
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 181.6
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 181.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 37% of the 219.5 miles on highways. The longest stretch without needing to exit is 111.2 miles on the New York State Thruway. After this, the route transitions to surface roads and parkways like the Southern State Parkway. Expect to encounter more frequent exits and potential traffic as you approach your destination.
Only 37% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
52 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.2 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 152.6 miles in near NY 17.
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 219.5 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 152.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 183 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
524 ft7 ft
Total Climb
648 ft
Total Descent
1,136 ft
Highest Point
524 ft
~143.5 mi in
Elevation Range
517 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cambridge, NY and Babylon, NY, road signs point toward Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Cross Island Parkway South - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 219.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.2 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $28.11 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 14 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 Babylon, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 152.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 183 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Saratoga National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Babylon, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
