Catharine, NY to Oyster Bay, NY is 263.8 miles and takes about 5h 45m via Keystone Shortway and I 81, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, taking you from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Expect a drive with many turns, suggesting a route that winds through local roads more than long stretches of highway. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, this is a solid one-day drive, perfect for a spontaneous weekend getaway or a focused journey to your destination.
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
131.9 miles from Catharine, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
I 81
53.4 mi
1h 3m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Southern Tier Expressway
23.5 mi
28m
Northern Boulevard
14.5 mi
24m
State Highway 224
11.2 mi
15m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
State Highway 96
6.5 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 80 mi, about 1h 37m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 336 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
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Catharine, NY and Oyster Bay, NY.
1
Start on CR 15
75 ft·7 sec·County Route 15
2
Turn left onto CR 14
3.8 mi·9 min·County Route 14
3
Turn left onto NY 13
0.2 mi·12 sec·State Highway 13
4
Turn right onto NY 224
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 224
5
Continue on NY 34
1.6 mi·2 min·State Highway 34
6
Continue on NY 34
0.8 mi·1 min·Spencer-Van Etten Road
7
Continue on NY 34
1.0 mi·2 min·West Tioga Street
8
Continue on NY 96
0.3 mi·27 sec·Candor Road
9
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 96
10
Continue on NY 96
2.4 mi·3 min·Candor Road
11
Continue on NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·Spencer Road
12
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi·15 sec·Spencer Avenue
13
Turn right onto NY 96
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
14
At end of road, turn right onto NY 96
0.4 mi·54 sec·Owego Street
15
Continue on NY 96
2.3 mi·3 min·Owego Road
16
Continue on NY 96
5.4 mi·7 min·State Highway 96
17
At end of road, turn right onto NY 96
1.7 mi·3 min·NY 96
18
At end of road, turn right onto NY 96
335 ft·15 sec·Main Street
19
Turn left onto NY 17C; NY 96
0.1 mi·20 sec·Park Street
20
Turn slight left onto Susquehanna River Bridge Road
89 ft·3 sec·Susquehanna River Bridge Road
21
Continue on NY 96
0.3 mi·45 sec·Susquehanna River Bridge Road
22
Turn left onto NY 434
2.0 mi·3 min·Southside Drive
23
Take the ramp
372 ft·9 sec
24
Merge onto I 86
24 mi·28 min·Southern Tier Expressway
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
29
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
30
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
32
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
34
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
36
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
38
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
39
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
41
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
43
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
45
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
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.
47
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
48
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·2 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 5Toward NY 25A: Northern BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Continue on Clearview Expressway
457 ft·17 sec·Clearview Expressway
52
Turn left onto NY 25A
15 mi·24 min·Northern Boulevard
Use the left lane.
53
Turn left onto NY 106
0.3 mi·29 sec·Jericho Oyster Bay Road
54
Turn straight onto NY 106
0.5 mi·46 sec·Oyster Bay Road
55
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 106
260 ft·4 sec·Oyster Bay Road
56
Continue on NY 106
0.9 mi·1 min·Pine Hollow Road
Use the left lane.
57
Continue on NY 106
105 ft·5 sec·South Street
58
Turn right onto Berry Hill Road
112 ft·9 sec·Berry Hill Road
59
Continue on Berry Hill Road
64 ft·2 sec·Berry Hill Road
60
Arrive at destination
Berry Hill Road
Trip Plan
For this 263.8-mile journey, aim for an early morning departure from Catharine, NY, to maximize daylight and allow ample time for the drive's turn-heavy nature. With a recommended single day for completion, you can afford to be flexible with stops, perhaps pausing for a quick break every 80-100 miles. Given the significant portion of local roads, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move away from the major interstate segments; it’s wise to refuel when you see stations rather than waiting until the tank is low. Planning for about 5 hours and 45 minutes of driving time means you should arrive in Oyster Bay with time to spare before evening.
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 131.9 miles from Catharine, NY, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80 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 58 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.9 miles or 2h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 35m
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 Catharine, 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 Catharine, NY
This is one driving day of about 263.8 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Catharine, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 80 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 63 and 240.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
63 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
116.4 mi into trip|~2h 36m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
230.9 mi into trip|~4h 52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
231.2 mi into trip|~4h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
240.6 mi into trip|~5h 7m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.68 one way
$85.35 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$46.31
$92.62
premium
$4.85
$50.35
$100.70
diesel
$4.80
$49.81
$99.62
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
$43
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.1
0
$27.70
$12.66
Efficient EV
66
0
$23.08
$10.55
EV Truck/SUV
105.5
1
$36.93
$16.88
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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
Catharine, NY
Evening
in Catharine on Monday
Local time
8:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Areas Of Smoke
S 6 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 18 at 2:52AM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 2:27AM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Oyster Bay, NY
Evening
in Oyster Bay on Monday
Local time
8:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Smoke
S 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 18 at 2:52AM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 2:27AM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Upton 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
8 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
5h 45m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 236.5
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
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 236.5
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 236.5
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 236.5
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 236.5
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 236.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' with only 54% of the route utilizing highways. While you'll experience some stretches on major arteries like the Keystone Shortway and I 81, the majority of your time will be spent on more winding local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 80 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a bit of highway cruising before you transition back to navigating more varied terrain. Be prepared for frequent directional changes, making it a more engaging driving experience than a straight interstate cruise.
Only 54% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
60 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80 mi on Keystone Shortway.
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 63 miles in near I 81.
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 263.8 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 63 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,795 ft-5 ft
Total Climb
1,285 ft
Total Descent
2,420 ft
Highest Point
1,795 ft
~131.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,801 ft
Notable High Points
1,795 ft at ~131.9 miles+811 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Catharine, NY and Oyster Bay, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.
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 5h 45m. Total distance: 263.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80 miles on Keystone Shortway. 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 24 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 Oyster Bay, 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 63 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Oyster Bay, NY before the return drive.
