Chester, NY to Babylon, NY is 91.9 miles and takes about 2h 4m via Southern State Parkway, NJ 17, and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. The route primarily uses major parkways and highways, offering a straightforward way to travel between these two points. Given its relatively short distance and duration, it's a manageable drive for a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46 miles from Chester, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Southern State Parkway
18 mi
22m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
New York State Thruway
13.7 mi
15m
US 6
8.4 mi
9m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Farmingdale Road
3.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Southern State Parkway
— 18 mi, about 22m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 13 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,026 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,234 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 21 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 Chester, NY and Babylon, NY.
1
Start on Railroad Avenue
342 ft·17 sec·Railroad Avenue
2
Turn right onto Bank Street
377 ft·23 sec·Bank Street
3
Turn left onto NY 94
0.3 mi·29 sec·High Street
4
Continue on NY 94
0.3 mi·30 sec·Main Street
5
Turn right onto NY 94
0.2 mi·27 sec·Academy Avenue
6
Continue on NY 94
0.2 mi·29 sec·State Highway 94
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 6 East, NY 17 East: MonroeUse the left lane.
8
Merge onto US 6; NY 17
8.4 mi·9 min·US 6; NY 17
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·59 sec
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York CityUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York CityUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 87
14 mi·15 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
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 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse 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 BridgeUse 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 6BToward I 295 South: Throgs Neck BridgeUse 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 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
36
Merge onto SO
18 mi·22 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 33Toward NY 109 East: BabylonUse the slight right lane.
38
Turn slight right onto NY 109
3.5 mi·5 min·Farmingdale Road
Use the left lane.
39
Continue on NY 109
0.9 mi·1 min·Little East Neck Road North
40
Turn left onto NY 27A
0.5 mi·49 sec·West Main Street
41
Turn right onto South Carll Avenue
68 ft·2 sec·South Carll Avenue
42
Arrive at destination
South Carll Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour drive, starting in the morning or early afternoon should allow you to complete the trip well within daylight hours. Since it's a shorter route, you have flexibility with stops, but consider breaking up the drive if you prefer. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is around $15. A specific tip for this route is to be aware of the various parkway restrictions, as some may have height or vehicle type limitations, though the data doesn't specify which sections.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46 miles from Chester, NY, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18 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 20 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46 miles or 1h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Babylon, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chester, 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 Chester, NY
This is one driving day of about 91.9 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Chester, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Southern State Parkway for about 18 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 55.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward US 6 East, NY 17 East: Monroe
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 6 East, NY 17 East: Monroe
8
9.8 mi into trip|~12m 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
25 mi into trip|~31m 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
26.4 mi into trip|~33m 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
55.5 mi into trip|~1h 13m 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
$14.94 one way
$29.87 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$16.17
$32.33
premium
$4.87
$17.61
$35.21
diesel
$5.40
$19.55
$39.10
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
$15
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.6
0
$9.65
$4.41
Efficient EV
23
0
$8.04
$3.68
EV Truck/SUV
36.8
0
$12.87
$5.88
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 25, 2026
Origin
Chester, NY
Night
in Chester on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Light Rain
NE 5 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 11:36AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Babylon, NY
Night
in Babylon on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 8 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 11:36AM 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
2 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
2h 4m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 70% of the drive on major roads like the Southern State Parkway, NJ 17, and New York State Thruway. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 18 miles on the Southern State Parkway, indicating extended periods of highway cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur as you approach your destination, but the majority of your time will be spent on these main arteries.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18 mi on Southern State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern State Parkway and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 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 30 significant decision points across 91.9 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 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chester, NY and Babylon, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany, New York City, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Cross Island Parkway South - among others.
The Town of Chester is made of several communities in the Adirondacks around the small hamlet of Chestertown. Other hamlets within the town boundaries include Pottersville, Friends Lake, Loon Lake, and Schroon Lake. Of the three lakes, only Loon Lake has a public beach—for the others you'll have to check into a B&B.
Top landmarks
•Chester Cathedral — Grade I listed cathedral in Chester, United Kingdom
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 91.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18 miles on Southern State Parkway. 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 4 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 Babylon, 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. There are 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Babylon, NY before heading back.
