Central Islip, NY to Greece, NY is 367.6 miles and takes about 7h 51m via I 81 and NY State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $61 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. The profile suggests a drive that's mostly on surface roads, though a significant portion is on the highway. Plan for about two stops along the way to break up the nearly 8-hour drive. It's a manageable one-day trip if you get an early start.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
183.8 miles from Central Islip, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
97.3 mi
1h 55m
Christopher Columbus Highway
68.2 mi
1h 20m
New York State Thruway
30.3 mi
34m
Long Island Expressway
28.3 mi
38m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
Eastern Expressway
10.8 mi
13m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 97.3 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 168 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 Central Islip, NY and Greece, NY.
1
Start on CR 100
486 ft·15 sec·East Suffolk Avenue
2
Continue on CR 100
0.1 mi·22 sec·East Suffolk Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto CR 17
1.5 mi·3 min·Wheeler Road
4
Turn left onto LIE North Service Road
0.5 mi·54 sec·LIE North Service Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 495 West: New York
6
Merge onto I 495
28 mi·38 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 31N-SToward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 31NToward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto CI
3.1 mi·4 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 33Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New EnglandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
12
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi·8 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
15
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
16
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi·39 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 69Toward I 80 West: Paterson, HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 80
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
26
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
27
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
28
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
31
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
32
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
33
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
34
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
35
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
36
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
37
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
38
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
39
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
40
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
41
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
42
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
43
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
44
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
45
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
46
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
47
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
48
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
49
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
50
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
51
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
52
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
53
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 45Toward I 490: RochesterUse the slight right lane.
54
Continue on I 490
11 mi·13 min·Eastern Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
Exit 21Toward I 590 South, NY 590 NorthUse the slight right lane.
56
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward NY 590 North: IrondequoitUse the slight right lane.
57
Merge onto NY 590
3.5 mi·4 min·Outer Loop
Use the straight / right lanes.
58
Take the exit
0.5 mi·55 sec
Exit 10AToward NY 104 West: GreeceUse the slight right lane.
59
Merge onto NY 104
3.5 mi·4 min·Keeler Street Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
60
Continue on NY 104
0.2 mi·12 sec·Veterans Memorial Bridge
61
Continue on NY 104
2.7 mi·3 min·West Ridge Road
62
Continue on NY 104
1.1 mi·1 min·West Ridge Road
63
Turn right
60 ft·8 sec
64
Turn left
54 ft·4 sec
65
Turn right
8 ft·0 sec
66
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour 51-minute estimated drive time, starting early in the morning is your best bet to complete this trip in one day. With only two recommended stops, you can plan for one mid-way break and another closer to Greece, NY. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 97.3-mile stretch on I 81, as services can be spaced out. The $61 fuel cost is an estimate, so factor in current prices. This route is primarily in New York, so you won't need to worry about state lines, but be prepared for the shift from highway to surface roads as you get closer to Greece.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.8 miles from Central Islip, NY, or about 3h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.3 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 81 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.8 miles or 3h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Greece, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Central Islip, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Central Islip, NY
This is one driving day of about 367.6 miles and 7h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Central Islip, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 97.3 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 46
5 decision points cluster between mile 30.8 and 46.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
30.8 mi into trip|~44m in
Take the exit toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport
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 31N-S
Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge,...
10
31.1 mi into trip|~44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 31N
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone B...
8
34.5 mi into trip|~49m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
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 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx,...
8
46.7 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
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.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
46.9 mi into trip|~1h 8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.47 one way
$118.93 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$64.53
$129.07
premium
$4.85
$70.16
$140.32
diesel
$4.80
$69.41
$138.82
Estimated Tolls: $24.35
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(30.3 mi)$1.52
New Jersey Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.28
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
$59
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$109–$134
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.3
1
$38.60
$17.64
Efficient EV
91.9
1
$32.17
$14.70
EV Truck/SUV
147
1
$51.46
$23.53
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Central Islip, NY
Late night
in Central Islip on Sunday
Local time
2:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Smoke
N 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Greece, NY
Late night
in Greece on Sunday
Local time
2:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Patchy Smoke
NW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
184 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
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
7h 51m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 50.7
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...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 50.7
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 291.5
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 316.9
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
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 50.7
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 50.7
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 52% of this 367.6-mile drive on highways like I 81 and the New York State Thruway. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 97.3 miles on I 81. After leaving the major highways, the route transitions to mostly surface roads, which can mean more varied traffic and speed limits. Expect a mix of cruising and navigating through more built-up areas as you approach your destination.
Only 52% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
66 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.3 mi on I 81.
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 30.8 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 46 significant decision points across 367.6 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 30.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,789 ft53 ft
Total Climb
2,203 ft
Total Descent
1,859 ft
Highest Point
1,789 ft
~157.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,736 ft
Notable High Points
1,789 ft at ~157.5 miles+616 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Central Islip, NY and Greece, NY, road signs point toward Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Upper Level and Njtp South: Hackensack - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 51m. Total distance: 367.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 51m 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 97.3 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $24.35 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 34 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 Greece, 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. There are 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 30.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.5 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 Harriet Tubman National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Greece, NY before the return drive.
