Skip to main content

Trip from Central Square, NY to Oyster Bay, NY

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 6m

Distance

296.3 mi

477 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
5h 54m ★
6 AM
6h 6m
8 AM
6h 32m
10 AM
6h 15m
12 PM
6h 13m
3 PM
6h 17m
5 PM
6h 31m
8 PM
5h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Central Square, NY, NY

Central Square, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

town on Long Island, New York, United States

Oyster Bay, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Central Square, NY to Oyster Bay, NY is 296.3 miles and takes about 6h 6m via I 81 and I 380, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, traversing New York state for its entirety. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, this route is ideal for a single-day drive. You'll find it a straightforward path, primarily utilizing major interstates for efficient travel. Plan for a relatively predictable drive with minimal deviations from the main thoroughfares.

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

148.1 miles from Central Square, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 146.2 mi 2h 54m
Keystone Shortway 80 mi 1h 37m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
Northern Boulevard 14.5 mi 24m
Cross Bronx Expressway 6.6 mi 8m
Christopher Columbus Highway 5.5 mi 5m
I 84 3.7 mi 4m
Clearview Expressway 2.1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 146.2 mi, about 2h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Central Square, NY and Oyster Bay, NY.

1

Start on US 11

61 ft · 1 sec · North Main Street
2

Turn slight right

150 ft · 5 sec
3

Turn straight onto NY 49

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Avenue
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward I 81 South
5

Merge onto I 81

9.3 mi · 10 min · I 81
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I-81

0.5 mi · 33 sec · I-81
7

Continue on I 81

11 mi · 14 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I-81

0.8 mi · 48 sec · I-81
9

Continue on I 81

73 mi · 1 hr 25 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 6
Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on I 84; I 380

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford Use the straight lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
14

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
15

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 5 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level Use the slight right lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.
19

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue
21

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
23

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
24

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
26

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
28

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
30

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

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.
32

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
33

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 2 min · Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Exit 5 Toward NY 25A: Northern Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Continue on Clearview Expressway

457 ft · 17 sec · Clearview Expressway
37

Turn left onto NY 25A

15 mi · 24 min · Northern Boulevard
Use the left lane.
38

Turn left onto NY 106

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Jericho Oyster Bay Road
39

Turn straight onto NY 106

0.5 mi · 46 sec · Oyster Bay Road
40

Keep slight left at fork onto NY 106

260 ft · 4 sec · Oyster Bay Road
41

Continue on NY 106

0.9 mi · 1 min · Pine Hollow Road
Use the left lane.
42

Continue on NY 106

105 ft · 5 sec · South Street
43

Turn right onto Berry Hill Road

112 ft · 9 sec · Berry Hill Road
44

Continue on Berry Hill Road

64 ft · 2 sec · Berry Hill Road
45

Arrive at destination

Berry Hill Road

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach your destination. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $49, you have flexibility in pacing. The longest stretch without a major break is 146.2 miles on I 81, so plan your refreshments before or after this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as service areas can sometimes be spaced out on interstate stretches.

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 148.1 miles from Central Square, NY, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.2 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 65 miles or 1h 18m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 148.1 miles or 2h 57m 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 49m

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 Central Square, 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 Central Square, NY

This is one driving day of about 296.3 miles and 6h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Central Square, 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 I 81 for about 146.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

148 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Maine, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Scranton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 148.1 miles from Central Square, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 146.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 25

5 decision points cluster between mile 95.5 and 273.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
95.5 mi into trip | ~1h 54m 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
148.8 mi into trip | ~2h 57m 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
263.4 mi into trip | ~5h 13m 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
263.7 mi into trip | ~5h 14m 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
273.1 mi into trip | ~5h 28m 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

$48.77 one way

$97.55 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 104 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $52.74 $105.48
premium $4.92 $57.43 $114.86
diesel $5.61 $65.42 $130.84

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

$49

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$96–$121

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 103.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 88.9 1 $31.11 $14.22
Efficient EV 74.1 0 $25.93 $11.85
EV Truck/SUV 118.5 1 $41.48 $18.96

Gas CO2

104 kg

EV CO2

35 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 Apr 13, 2026

Origin

Central Square, NY

Afternoon in Central Square on Tuesday

Local time

12:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Oyster Bay, NY

Afternoon in Oyster Bay on Tuesday

Local time

12:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 10 mph 5% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 13 at 12:55AM EDT until April 13 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Burlington VT

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 12:22AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

63°F

Ramapo, NY

148 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

4 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

6h 6m 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

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 ~8 min detour Free near mile 265.6
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
View on nps.gov
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...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 265.6
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 265.6
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 265.6
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 265.6
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 265.6
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly highway, with 63% of the route on major roads like I 81 and I 380. You'll experience a significant stretch of 146.2 miles on I 81, offering consistent cruising. The remaining portion will transition to surface roads, likely with more frequent intersections and varied speed limits. Expect to notice the dense exit patterns common to interstate travel for much of this trip.

63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.2 mi on I 81.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 95.5 miles in near I 81.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 25 significant decision points across 296.3 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 95.5 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 263.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,950 ft 10 ft

Total Climb

2,082 ft

Total Descent

2,484 ft

Highest Point

1,950 ft

~169.3 mi in

Elevation Range

1,939 ft

Notable High Points

1,950 ft at ~169.3 miles +1,057 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 Square, NY and Oyster Bay, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.

Mt Pocono

148.8 mi in | ~2h 57m | via US 6

Milford

149.6 mi in | ~2h 58m | via I 84; I 380

New York City

263.4 mi in | ~5h 13m

Leonia

263.7 mi in | ~5h 14m

Teaneck

263.7 mi in | ~5h 14m

George Washington Bridge Upper Level

265.9 mi in | ~5h 18m

About the Cities

Arriving in Oyster Bay, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1667

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

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

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 6m. Total distance: 296.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 146.2 miles on I 81. 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.

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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 95.5 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 263.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange 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 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 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.

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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Central Square, NY or browse trips ending in Oyster Bay, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.