Cazenovia to Islip is 278.7 miles and takes about 6h 2m via NY 17, State Highway 8, and Southern State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to its southern edge. Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of the trip, making it a relatively straightforward journey. Given its manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
139.3 miles from Cazenovia, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
106 mi
2h 12m
State Highway 8
36.8 mi
41m
Southern State Parkway
24.7 mi
31m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
New York State Thruway
13.7 mi
15m
County Road 16
11.8 mi
16m
State Route 80
8.8 mi
12m
Rexford Street
8.3 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 106 mi, about 2h 12m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,060 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,244 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 72 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 Cazenovia, NY and Islip, NY.
1
Start on US 20; NY 13
0.3 mi·1 min·Albany Street
2
Turn left onto US 20; NY 13
0.2 mi·27 sec·Forman Street
3
Continue on NY 13
5.8 mi·7 min·Rippleton Road
4
Continue on NY 13
0.2 mi·25 sec·State Route 13
5
Turn left onto NY 13; NY 80
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
6
Continue on NY 13; NY 80
1.1 mi·1 min·McKinley Street
7
Continue on NY 13; NY 80
1.9 mi·2 min·State Route 13
8
Continue on NY 80
6.1 mi·8 min·State Route 80
9
Continue on NY 26; NY 80
2.7 mi·3 min·State Route 80
10
Continue on NY 26; NY 80
2.2 mi·3 min·State Highway 26
11
Turn left onto CR 16
12 mi·16 min·County Road 16
12
Turn left onto NY 23
1.2 mi·1 min·NY 23
13
Turn left onto CR 44
2.8 mi·3 min·County Road 44
14
Turn right onto NY 12
1.2 mi·1 min·State Highway 12
15
Continue on NY 12
0.6 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
16
Turn left onto NY 23
8.3 mi·9 min·Rexford Street
17
Turn right onto NY 8
18 mi·20 min·State Highway 8
18
Continue on NY 8
0.4 mi·29 sec·Airport Road
19
Continue on NY 8
19 mi·21 min·State Highway 8
20
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.3 mi·18 sec·Oak Street
21
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.4 mi·44 sec·State Highway 10
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward NY 17 East
23
Merge onto NY 17
105 mi·2 hr 11 min·NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·59 sec
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York CityUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York CityUse the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto I 87
14 mi·15 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
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.
28
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
29
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.
30
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
32
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
33
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
35
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
37
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
39
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
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.
41
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
42
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
45
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
46
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
47
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
48
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
49
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
51
Merge onto SO
25 mi·31 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
53
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 41SToward Bay Shore Road South, Bay ShoreUse the slight right lane.
54
Turn straight onto CR 57
0.5 mi·1 min·Bay Shore Road
55
Continue on CR 57
0.3 mi·43 sec·Howells Road
56
Turn straight onto CR 57
341 ft·6 sec·Sunrise Highway
57
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57
0.6 mi·1 min·Howells Road
Toward Howells Road SouthUse the right lane.
58
Continue on CR 57
0.2 mi·24 sec·Roosevelt Street
59
Continue on CR 57
0.7 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue
60
At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A
1.1 mi·1 min·East Main Street
61
Continue on Montauk Highway
0.2 mi·17 sec·Montauk Highway
62
Continue on NY 27A
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
63
Arrive at destination
NY 27A
Trip Plan
For this single-day journey of approximately 6 hours, consider leaving early in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach the Long Island area. With one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 106 miles, plan a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $46, and it's always wise to top off before the final leg. The Southern State Parkway can experience significant congestion, so checking real-time traffic conditions before you get too close is a smart move.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 139.3 miles from Cazenovia, NY, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106 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 61 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.3 miles or 2h 58m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Islip, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cazenovia, 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 Cazenovia, NY
This is one driving day of about 278.7 miles and 6h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Cazenovia, 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 NY 17 for about 106 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 34
5 decision points cluster between mile 190.2 and 274 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
190.2 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
9
205.4 mi into trip|~4h 20m 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
206.8 mi into trip|~4h 21m 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
235.9 mi into trip|~5h 1m 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
9
274 mi into trip|~5h 53m in
Take the exit toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41S
Toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.78 one way
$97.57 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$52.87
$105.73
premium
$5.23
$57.39
$114.77
diesel
$6.28
$68.86
$137.73
Estimated Tolls: $23.23
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(13.7 mi)$0.68
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
$49
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.6
1
$29.26
$13.38
Efficient EV
69.7
0
$24.39
$11.15
EV Truck/SUV
111.5
1
$39.02
$17.84
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Cazenovia, NY
Morning
in Cazenovia on Saturday
Local time
6:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Sunny
W 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Islip, NY
Morning
in Islip on Saturday
Local time
6:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Clear
NE 6 mph0% chanceLive 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.
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
20 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
6h 2m on the road
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.
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
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 228.8
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 228.8
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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 228.8
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 228.8
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 228.8
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 228.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is largely a highway-focused drive, with 79% of the journey on faster roads. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 106 miles on NY 17, which will likely feel like the core of your travel time. While the main roads include State Highway 8 and the Southern State Parkway, the overall character leans towards efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. Expect a consistent pace for much of the 6-hour duration, making it a reliable option for covering ground.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
63 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and State Highway 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 190.2 miles in.
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 34 significant decision points across 278.7 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 190.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.4 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.8 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,399 ft-5 ft
Total Climb
767 ft
Total Descent
1,977 ft
Highest Point
1,399 ft
~139.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,405 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cazenovia, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany, New York City, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Cross Island Parkway South - among others.
Cazenovia is a town of 7,000 people (2016) in Madison County, in Central New York. The town has 27 sites and historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is home to Cazenovia College, a small liberal arts college in the greater Syracuse area. It was founded in 1824 as the Genesee Seminary.
Islip (pronounced "ICE-lip") is a town on Long Island in the state of New York. Located within Suffolk County, the Town of Islip includes the villages of Brightwaters, Islandia, Ocean Beach and Saltaire. It also includes numerous hamlets including Bay Shore and Sayville which are ferry terminals for Fire Island. Other prominent communities are Bayport, Brentwood, Central Islip, Hauppauge, Islip village (the town seat), and Ronkonkoma.
Top landmarks
•Bayport Aerodrome — airport in Suffolk County, New York, United States
•Connetquot River State Park Preserve — state park in New York
•Modesty — oyster-dredging sloop built in Long Island
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 2m. Total distance: 278.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.23 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 9 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 Islip, 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 190.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.4 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.8 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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Islip, NY before the return drive.
