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Trip from Canton, NY to Babylon, 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 6m

Distance

395 mi

636 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$65

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
7h 58m ★
6 AM
8h 7m
8 AM
8h 23m
10 AM
8h 12m
12 PM
8h 11m
3 PM
8h 13m
5 PM
8h 22m
8 PM
8h 2m

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 St. Lawrence County, New York, United States

Canton, NY

Wikimedia Commons

town in Long Island, New York, United States

Babylon, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 409.7-mile journey from Canton, NY to Babylon, NY is a substantial drive, estimated to take about 7 hours and 32 minutes of pure travel time. Given the duration and the nature of the route, it's best tackled in a single day if you're aiming for efficiency, but you could certainly break it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $67. You'll be sticking to local roads for the entire journey, with no highway driving involved, making it a more engaging, albeit turn-heavy, experience. This route primarily traverses the Northeast region of the US, staying within New York State.

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

197.5 miles from Canton, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 2m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 201.9 mi 3h 53m
Gouverneur Street 23.8 mi 27m
State Highway 12 22.8 mi 31m
Bea Luck Road 19.6 mi 23m
Southern State Parkway 18 mi 22m
State Highway 812 16.7 mi 20m
Indian River Road 16.1 mi 19m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Canton, NY and Babylon, NY.

1

Start on US 11; NY 68

0.3 mi · 48 sec · Main Street
2

Turn left onto US 11

24 mi · 27 min · Gouverneur Street
3

Turn left onto NY 58; NY 812

0.6 mi · 40 sec · William Street
4

Continue on NY 58; NY 812

5.5 mi · 6 min · State Highway 58
5

Turn right onto NY 812

2.1 mi · 2 min · Balmat-Fowler Road
6

Continue on NY 812

7.9 mi · 9 min · State Highway 812
7

At end of road, turn right onto NY 3; NY 812

0.3 mi · 33 sec · State Highway 812
8

Continue on NY 3; NY 812

0.4 mi · 59 sec · State Street
9

Continue on NY 3; NY 812

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
10

Continue on NY 3; NY 812

2.9 mi · 4 min · State Route 3
11

Turn left onto NY 812

5.7 mi · 6 min · Indian River Road
12

Continue on NY 812

10 mi · 12 min · Indian River Road
13

Continue on NY 812

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
14

Continue on NY 812

8.4 mi · 10 min · State Highway 812
15

Turn left onto East State Street

1.5 mi · 3 min · East State Street
16

Continue on Ross Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Ross Road
17

Turn left onto NY 12

20 mi · 23 min · Bea Luck Road
18

Continue on NY 12

0.8 mi · 51 sec · State Highway 12
19

Continue on NY 12

9.7 mi · 11 min · Erwin Parkway
20

Continue on NY 12

22 mi · 30 min · State Highway 12
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
22

Merge onto NY 49

0.4 mi · 26 sec · State Route 49
23

Continue on I 790; NY 5

0.2 mi · 13 sec · I 790; NY 5
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
25

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90
26

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 90 East
27

Merge onto I 90

84 mi · 1 hr 36 min · New York State Thruway
28

Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway

118 mi · 2 hr 16 min · New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston Use the slight right lane.
29

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17

0.9 mi · 59 sec · NY 17
Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey Use the slight right lane.
30

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
31

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17

14 mi · 18 min · NJ 17
Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah Use the slight left / straight lanes.
32

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
33

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
34

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4
Use the right lane.
35

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
37

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
39

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
41

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42

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.
43

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
44

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46

Continue on NY 24

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
47

At end of road, turn left onto NY 24

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
48

Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue

0.9 mi · 2 min · Hempstead Avenue
49

Turn right onto 225th Street

228 ft · 9 sec · 225th Street
Use the right lane.
50

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
51

Merge onto CI

1.3 mi · 1 min · Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 25A Toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island Use the slight left / straight lanes.
53

Merge onto SO

18 mi · 22 min · Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
54

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 33 Toward NY 109 East: Babylon Use the slight right lane.
55

Turn slight right onto NY 109

3.5 mi · 5 min · Farmingdale Road
Use the left lane.
56

Continue on NY 109

0.9 mi · 1 min · Little East Neck Road North
57

Turn left onto NY 27A

0.5 mi · 49 sec · West Main Street
58

Turn right onto South Carll Avenue

68 ft · 2 sec · South Carll Avenue
59

Arrive at destination

South Carll Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour, 32-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Canton to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic congestion as you approach Babylon. With two recommended stops, plan to take breaks roughly every 2-3 hours to stretch your legs and refuel, especially since you'll be on local roads for the entire 409.7 miles. The estimated fuel cost of $67 is a good baseline, but keep an eye on your gauge, as frequent stops and varied speeds on local roads can impact fuel consumption. A key tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the specific turns on Gouverneur Street and William Street before you depart, as these local arteries will be crucial to your navigation.

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 197.5 miles from Canton, NY, or about 4h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.9 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 87 miles or 1h 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 197.5 miles or 4h 2m 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 197.5 miles or 4h 2m

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 6h 42m

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 Canton, 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 Canton, NY

Aim for roughly 198 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Babylon, NY

Aim for roughly 198 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Canton, 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 201.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in New York, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Poughkeepsie, NY

198 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 Poughkeepsie, NY

Overnight Options

Night 1

Poughkeepsie, NY

198 mi · about 4.1h in

A practical overnight split lands near Poughkeepsie, NY after about 198 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Whitesboro, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Schenectady, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 197.5 miles from Canton, 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 201.9 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 198 miles or 4.1 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

Shogun Japan Japanese restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hollis, New York

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 366.8

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13322041966

Visit website

Hainan

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Flushing, New York

2.3 mi

Canali's Italian & American Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Schenectady, New York

2.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Saddle River Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Saddle River, New Jersey

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour Expensive mile 338.6

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+12012822300

Visit website

Shogun Japan Japanese restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 366.8

Hollis, New York

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13322041966

Visit website

Hainan

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 366.8

Flushing, New York

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19175637223

Visit website

Canali's Italian & American Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 197.5

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 4–9 pm

+15183555323

Visit website

Yossies Cafe & Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 310.4

Monroe, New York

Hours: 8 am–1 pm

+18457830901

Visit website

Honey Day Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 338.6

Glen Rock, New Jersey

Hours: 8:30 am–3 pm

+12013893535

Visit website

Caribe Spanish Restaurant & Sports Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately mile 197.5

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15182806277

Visit website

Bellevue Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 197.5

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15183937720

Visit website

Lima 33 Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 366.8

Little Neck, New York

Hours: 1–9 pm

+17182254949

Visit website

Saddle River Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour Expensive mile 338.6

Saddle River, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+12012822300

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 197.5

Rotterdam, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ViaLynk Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 197.5

Schenectady, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15186913119

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 141.1

Herkimer, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 310.4

Central Valley, New York

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 310.4

Central Valley, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887800062

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 310.4

Central Valley, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 197.5

Schenectady, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Lynkwell Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 197.5

Schenectady, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Venetian Shores Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 395

Lindenhurst, New York

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+16317861136

Visit website

Geiger Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 395

Deer Park, New York

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+16318932100

Visit website

Fun things to do in Saratoga -- Food Tours, Ghost Tours, Craft Beer Tours, Bike Tours & much more

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 197.5

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15188323796

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 35

5 decision points cluster between mile 209.9 and 371.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
209.9 mi into trip | ~4h 17m in | New York State Thruway

Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
9
328.1 mi into trip | ~6h 33m 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
329.5 mi into trip | ~6h 35m 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
358.5 mi into trip | ~7h 15m 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
371.5 mi into trip | ~7h 34m 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...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$65.02 one way

$130.04 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 138 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $70.31 $140.61
premium $4.92 $76.56 $153.12
diesel $5.61 $87.21 $174.42

Estimated Tolls: $32.64

George Washington Bridge $16.00
New York State Thruway (201.9 mi) $10.09
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

$65

Tolls

$33

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$228–$338

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 138.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 118.5 1 $41.47 $18.96
Efficient EV 98.8 1 $34.56 $15.80
EV Truck/SUV 158 1 $55.30 $25.28

Gas CO2

138 kg

EV CO2

46 kg (67% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Canton, NY

Late night in Canton on Sunday

Local time

3:56 AM

EDT

Current temp

37°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Babylon, NY

Late night in Babylon on Sunday

Local time

3:56 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°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.

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

7 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 6m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 354.2
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 354.2
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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 ~22 min detour Free near mile 354.2
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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 354.2
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

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 354.2
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

11 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 354.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for the entirety of this 409.7-mile trip, as indicated by the 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through towns and along local streets like Gouverneur Street and William Street for the majority of your journey, with Highway 58 also playing a role. The absence of long highway stretches suggests a more intimate connection with the landscape and local communities as you pass through. Be prepared for frequent adjustments in speed and direction, as this is not a route for simply setting cruise control and letting the miles melt away.

Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
59 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 201.9 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 209.9 miles in near New York State Thruway.

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 35 significant decision points across 395 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 209.9 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 328.1 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 329.5 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Canton, NY and Babylon, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South, Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Cross Island Parkway South - among others.

Genesee Street South

125 mi in | ~2h 37m

Boston

209.9 mi in | ~4h 17m | via New York State Thruway

Gsp South: Paterson

343.6 mi in | ~6h 53m

Fort Lee

343.6 mi in | ~6h 53m

New York

343.6 mi in | ~6h 53m

Cross Island Parkway South

370 mi in | ~7h 31m

Southern State Parkway East

371.5 mi in | ~7h 34m

Eastern Long Island

371.5 mi in | ~7h 34m

About the Cities

Starting in Canton, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1805

Canton (pop 7,200 in 2020, founded 1801) is the county seat of St. Lawrence County in northern New York. This tiny village is home to the State University of New York at Canton and to St. Lawrence University.

Arriving in Babylon, NY

Full guide →

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

Who Is This Route For?

Solo Traveler

8h 6m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 201.9 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 198 miles on day one.

Expect about $32.64 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 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 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 209.9 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 328.1 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 329.5 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 8.1 hours each way, a round trip means 16.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Babylon, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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