Rest area
0 mi from route
Trip from Clay, NY to Smithtown, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 24, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 21m
Distance
310.4 mi
499 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 9m
★
6 AM
6h 21m
8 AM
6h 46m
10 AM
6h 30m
12 PM
6h 28m
3 PM
6h 31m
5 PM
6h 45m
8 PM
6h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clay, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Smithtown, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Clay, NY to Smithtown, NY is 310.4 miles and takes about 6h 21m via I 81 and I 380, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, moving from New York to New York. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive. Plan for a single day to cover the distance, keeping your total travel time under seven hours.
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
155.2 miles from Clay, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 138.4 mi | 2h 45m |
| Keystone Shortway | 80 mi | 1h 37m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Long Island Expressway | 14.2 mi | 19m |
| Northern State Parkway | 13.7 mi | 18m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 5.5 mi | 5m |
| Jericho Turnpike | 3.9 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 138.4 mi, about 2h 45m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 336 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,190 veh/hr typical · worst 4,979
Quietest
1 AM
~446 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 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 Clay, NY and Smithtown, NY.
1
Start on NY 31
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
State Route 31
2
Continue on NY 31
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
·
West Seymour Street
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 81 South
4
Merge onto I 81
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 81
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I-81
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
I-81
6
Continue on I 81
11 mi
·
14 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I-81
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
I-81
8
Continue on I 81
73 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
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.
11
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.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 380
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
14
Merge onto I 80
80 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
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.
16
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.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 70A
Toward Leonia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft
·
9 sec
·
Degraw Avenue
20
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on CR 56
469 ft
·
13 sec
·
Main Street
22
Take the ramp
472 ft
·
12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
23
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
312 ft
·
4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
25
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
27
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
29
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
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.
31
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
32
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on I 295
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 4E-W
Toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 4E
Toward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
36
Merge onto I 495
14 mi
·
19 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 42
Toward N East: Hauppauge
Use the slight right lane.
38
Merge onto N
14 mi
·
18 min
·
Northern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 45
Toward SM North: Kings Park
Use the right lane.
40
Merge onto SA
499 ft
·
6 sec
·
Sagtikos State Parkway
41
Continue on SM
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunken Meadow State Parkway
42
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit SM3E
Toward NY 25 East: Jericho Turnpike East, Smithtown
Use the slight right lane.
43
Turn slight right onto NY 25
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Jericho Turnpike
44
Continue on NY 25; NY 25A
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
·
West Main Street
Use the left lane.
45
Arrive at destination
NY 25; NY 25A
Trip Plan
For this 6h 21m drive, consider leaving early to avoid potential rush hour traffic, especially as you get closer to Smithtown. With a total distance of 310.4 miles, it's easily a one-day trip, so you have flexibility with when you stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $51, and make sure to fill up before you hit longer stretches, particularly the 138.4-mile segment on I 81. There's one recommended stop, so plan for a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs.
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 155.2 miles from Clay, NY, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 138.4 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 68 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.2 miles or 3h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smithtown, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clay, 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 Clay, NY
This is one driving day of about 310.4 miles and 6h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Clay, 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 138.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
155 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 155.2 miles from Clay, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 138.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Crescent Lake Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Broome Gateway Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Whitney Point Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pennsylvania Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Preble
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Penn-Can Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pennsylvania Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
Long Island Welcome Center
1.4 mi from route
DeWitt Travel Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 285 decision points cluster between mile 142.9 and 275 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
142.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m 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
257.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 6m 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
257.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 6m 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
267.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 20m 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
8
275 mi into trip
|
~5h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
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 4E-W
Toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.33 one way
$108.66 round trip
$4.45/gal
25.4 MPG avg
109 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.82 | $58.88 | $117.76 |
| premium | $5.23 | $63.91 | $127.83 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $76.70 | $153.39 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.82
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
Jericho Turnpike
(3.9 mi)
$0.27
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
$54
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$102–$127
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.1 | 1 | $32.59 | $14.90 |
| Efficient EV | 77.6 | 0 | $27.16 | $12.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124.2 | 1 | $43.46 | $19.87 |
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Origin
Clay, NY
Late night in Clay on Saturday
Local time
3:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Smithtown, NY
Late night in Smithtown on Saturday
Local time
3:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Sunny
NE 5 to 9 mph
0% chance
Live 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
21 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 21m 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 256.8
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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 256.8
View on nps.gov
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
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 256.8
View on nps.gov
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...
11 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 256.8
View on nps.gov
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 256.8
View on nps.gov
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 256.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 70% of this 310.4-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 138.4 miles, primarily on I 81. After that, you'll transition to other major roads like I 380. Expect a largely highway experience with the usual density of exits and potential for merging traffic as you approach your destination.
70% 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: 138.4 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 142.9 miles in near US 6.
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 28 significant decision points across 310.4 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 142.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,892 ft
4 ft
Total Climb
2,130 ft
Total Descent
2,472 ft
Highest Point
1,892 ft
~155.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,888 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clay, NY and Smithtown, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level - among others.
Mt Pocono
142.9 mi in
|
~2h 50m
|
via US 6
Milford
143.7 mi in
|
~2h 51m
|
via I 84; I 380
New York City
257.5 mi in
|
~5h 6m
Leonia
257.8 mi in
|
~5h 6m
Teaneck
257.8 mi in
|
~5h 6m
George Washington Bridge Upper Level
260 mi in
|
~5h 11m
Eastern Long Island
275 mi in
|
~5h 31m
N East: Hauppauge
289.6 mi in
|
~5h 52m
About the Cities
Starting in Clay, NY
Full guide →Arriving in Smithtown, NY
Full guide →Smithtown is a town of 117,000 people (2016) in Suffolk County, on Long Island, in New York. Smithtown is comprised of the villages and hamlets of Commack (in part, with the Town of Huntington), Fort Salonga (in part, with the Town of Huntington), Hauppauge (in part, with the Town of Islip), Head of the Harbor, Kings Park, Lake Ronkonkoma (in part with the Town of Brookhaven and Town of Islip), Nesconset, Nissequogue, Smithtown, St. James, & Village of the Branch.
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 21m. Total distance: 310.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 138.4 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $22.82 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 27 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 Smithtown, 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 142.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.8 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 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Smithtown, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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