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Trip from Chateaugay, NY to Islip, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 51m

Distance

381.7 mi

614 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$63

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
7h 42m ★
6 AM
7h 51m
8 AM
8h 9m
10 AM
7h 58m
12 PM
7h 56m
3 PM
7h 59m
5 PM
8h 9m
8 PM
7h 46m

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

town in New York, United States

Chateaugay, NY

Wikimedia Commons

town in Suffolk County, New York, United States

Islip, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Planning a trip from Chateaugay, NY to Islip, NY? This 381.7-mile drive will take approximately 7 hours and 51 minutes, making it a feasible, though long, day trip. You'll primarily navigate the Adirondack Northway and I-87 before transitioning to the Southern State Parkway. With a projected fuel cost of around $62 and a plan for two stops, you can manage this journey efficiently. The route traverses through New York, offering a straightforward path downstate. Consider an early start to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach Long Island.

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

190.9 miles from Chateaugay, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Adirondack Northway 152 mi 2h 57m
I 87 118.6 mi 2h 17m
Southern State Parkway 24.7 mi 31m
Military Turnpike 23.5 mi 32m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
State Route 11 12.2 mi 16m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Cross Bronx Expressway 6.6 mi 8m
Longest stretch: Adirondack Northway — 152 mi, about 2h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chateaugay, NY and Islip, NY.

1

Start on NY 374

33 ft · 4 sec · Depot Street
2

Turn right onto US 11

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
3

Continue on US 11

12 mi · 16 min · State Route 11
4

Turn right onto Military Turnpike

23 mi · 32 min · Military Turnpike
5

Turn left onto NY 3

1.0 mi · 1 min · State Route 3
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 51 sec
8

Merge onto I 87

152 mi · 2 hr 57 min · Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87

0.3 mi · 31 sec · I 87
Exit 1E-W Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo Use the slight right lane.
10

Continue on I 87

0.5 mi · 51 sec · I 87
Exit 1W Toward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87

118 mi · 2 hr 16 min · I 87
Toward I 87 South: New York Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

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.
13

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
14

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.
15

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
17

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4
Use the right lane.
18

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
22

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
24

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

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.
26

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
27

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Continue on NY 24

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
30

At end of road, turn left onto NY 24

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
31

Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue

0.9 mi · 2 min · Hempstead Avenue
32

Turn right onto 225th Street

228 ft · 9 sec · 225th Street
Use the right lane.
33

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
34

Merge onto CI

1.3 mi · 1 min · Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 25A Toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island Use the slight left / straight lanes.
36

Merge onto SO

25 mi · 31 min · Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37

Keep slight left at fork onto SO

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 41S Toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore Use the slight right lane.
39

Turn straight onto CR 57

0.5 mi · 1 min · Bay Shore Road
40

Continue on CR 57

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Howells Road
41

Turn straight onto CR 57

341 ft · 6 sec · Sunrise Highway
42

Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57

0.6 mi · 1 min · Howells Road
Toward Howells Road South Use the right lane.
43

Continue on CR 57

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Roosevelt Street
44

Continue on CR 57

0.7 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue
45

At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
46

Continue on Montauk Highway

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Montauk Highway
47

Continue on NY 27A

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
48

Arrive at destination

NY 27A

Trip Plan

To tackle this 7-hour, 51-minute drive, an early morning departure from Chateaugay is highly recommended to avoid potential congestion, particularly as you near Islip. With only two suggested stops, plan them strategically for fuel and a break, perhaps around the halfway point. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 152 miles on the Adirondack Northway, so be mindful of your fuel level before entering this section. Given the manageable duration, you have flexibility, but staying aware of traffic patterns on the Southern State Parkway in the afternoon is crucial for a smoother arrival.

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 190.9 miles from Chateaugay, NY, or about 3h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152 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 84 miles or 1h 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 190.9 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 26m

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 Chateaugay, 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 Chateaugay, NY

This is one driving day of about 381.7 miles and 7h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Chateaugay, 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 Adirondack Northway for about 152 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Poughkeepsie, NY

191 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

Port Henry, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Niskayuna, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 190.9 miles from Chateaugay, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Adirondack Northway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 152 miles.

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

Cafe Tropical Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hackensack, New Jersey

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 327.2

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12018800669

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Paramus, New Jersey

1.4 mi

Barcelona Restaurant-Wine Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Albany, New York

2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hackensack, New Jersey

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 327.2

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Englewood, New Jersey

2.5 mi

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

South Hackensack, New Jersey

2.6 mi

Cafe Tropical Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 327.2

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12018800669

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 327.2

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12014871088

Visit website

Barcelona Restaurant-Wine Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 190.9

Albany, New York

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15184381144

Visit website

Bon Appetit Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 190.9

Albany, New York

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+15184592180

Visit website

Bite Food & Coffee Co

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 327.2

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12015602269

Visit website

Sara's Kitchen

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv mile 163.6

Saratoga Springs, New York

Hours: 12–3 pm

+15183164456

Visit website

Cafe Adirondack Restaurant & Wine Room

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $30 to $40 mile 109.1

Pottersville, New York

Hours: 3–8:30 pm

+15184945800

Visit website

Crabtree's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately mile 354.5

Floral Park, New York

Hours: 12–10 pm

+15163267769

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 327.2

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 327.2

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12015675111

Visit website

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 327.2

South Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12014265898

Visit website

C Squared Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 327.2

Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12014259120

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 190.9

Guilderland, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 190.9

Altamont, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 190.9

Altamont, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

ViaLynk Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 190.9

Voorheesville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15186913119

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 190.9

Altamont, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 190.9

Schenectady, NY

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 190.9

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18776642738

Visit website

ViaLynk Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 190.9

Schenectady, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15186913119

Visit website

5 Wits Albany

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 190.9

Albany, New York

Hours: 12–8 pm

+15187592288

Visit website

Shooting Zone

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 327.2

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 12–9 pm

+12014401329

Visit website

Ready to Golf

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 327.2

River Edge, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+16093887728

Visit website

Bowler City

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 327.2

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+12013433545

Visit website

iFLY Indoor Skydiving- Paramus

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 327.2

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–8:30 pm

+12017334359

Visit website

Children's Museum at Saratoga

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 163.6

Saratoga Springs, New York

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+15185845540

Visit website

Catch Air Paramus

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 327.2

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12016202125

Visit website

Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc.

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 327.2

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12019680808

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 30

5 decision points cluster between mile 189.9 and 377.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
189.9 mi into trip | ~3h 50m in | I 87

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 1E-W Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
9
308.5 mi into trip | ~6h 8m 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
309.9 mi into trip | ~6h 10m 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
338.9 mi into trip | ~6h 50m 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
377.1 mi into trip | ~7h 42m 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

$62.83 one way

$125.66 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 134 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $67.94 $135.88
premium $4.92 $73.98 $147.96
diesel $5.61 $84.27 $168.55

Estimated Tolls: $24.19

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55
Military Turnpike (23.5 mi) $1.64

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

$63

Tolls

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$112–$137

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 133.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 114.5 1 $40.08 $18.32
Efficient EV 95.4 1 $33.40 $15.27
EV Truck/SUV 152.7 1 $53.44 $24.43

Gas CO2

134 kg

EV CO2

45 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 16, 2026

Origin

Chateaugay, NY

Late night in Chateaugay on Sunday

Local time

3:46 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Islip, NY

Late night in Islip on Sunday

Local time

3:46 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 7 to 10 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton 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

30 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

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

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 ~14 min detour Free near mile 329.1
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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 329.1
View on nps.gov
Saratoga National Historical Park

Saratoga National Historical Park

National Historical Park

In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour Free near mile 171.1
View on nps.gov
Fire Island National Seashore

Fire Island National Seashore

National Seashore

Immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife, Fire Island has been a special...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free near mile 381.7
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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 329.1
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...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour Free near mile 329.1
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 presents a mixed experience, with 57% of it being on highways. You'll encounter a significant 152-mile stretch on the Adirondack Northway, which offers a more open highway feel. As you progress south, the character shifts, incorporating parkways. While not a constant interstate grind, expect a blend of faster-paced highway driving interspersed with sections that may feel more parkway-like, especially closer to your destination on the Southern State Parkway. The road's personality evolves as you move from the Adirondack region towards the metropolitan area.

57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
48 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 152 mi on Adirondack Northway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 189.9 miles in near I 87.

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 30 significant decision points across 381.7 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 189.9 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 308.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 309.9 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,200 ft 12 ft

Total Climb

981 ft

Total Descent

1,910 ft

Highest Point

1,200 ft

~81.8 mi in

Elevation Range

1,188 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Chateaugay, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and Cross Island Parkway South - among others.

Albany

189.9 mi in | ~3h 50m | via I 87

New York

189.9 mi in | ~3h 50m | via I 87

Buffalo

189.9 mi in | ~3h 50m | via I 87

Gsp South: Paterson

324 mi in | ~6h 29m

Fort Lee

324 mi in | ~6h 29m

Cross Island Parkway South

350.4 mi in | ~7h 7m

Southern State Parkway East

351.9 mi in | ~7h 9m

Eastern Long Island

351.9 mi in | ~7h 9m

About the Cities

Starting in Chateaugay, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1796

Arriving in Islip, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1683

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

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 7h 51m. Total distance: 381.7 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

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 152 miles on Adirondack Northway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $24.19 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 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 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 189.9 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 308.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 309.9 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Saratoga 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 Islip, 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.

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Explore more options from Chateaugay, NY or browse trips ending in Islip, NY.

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