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Trip from Clayton, NY to Babylon, NY

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

Drive Time

7h 47m

Distance

373.2 mi

601 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$61

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
7h 38m ★
6 AM
7h 48m
8 AM
8h 6m
10 AM
7h 54m
12 PM
7h 52m
3 PM
7h 55m
5 PM
8h 5m
8 PM
7h 42m

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

Downtown Clayton, NY, NY

Clayton, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

town in Long Island, New York, United States

Babylon, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 373.2-mile journey from Clayton, NY, to Babylon, NY, will take approximately 7 hours and 47 minutes of driving time. It's a feasible day trip, but you might appreciate the flexibility of an overnight stay given the duration. Expect a fuel cost of around $61 for this drive. The route primarily utilizes the New York State Thruway, State Highway 12, and Bea Luck Road, with 29% of the drive on highways. You'll be traveling within the Northeast region throughout this trip.

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

186.6 miles from Clayton, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 201.9 mi 3h 53m
State Highway 12 41.5 mi 55m
Bea Luck Road 19.8 mi 23m
Southern State Parkway 18 mi 22m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
Amelia Street 13.5 mi 20m
Erwin Parkway 9.7 mi 11m
Van Allen Road 8.4 mi 9m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clayton, NY and Babylon, NY.

1

Start on Park Circle

34 ft · 3 sec · Park Circle
2

Turn right onto Mary Street

220 ft · 15 sec · Mary Street
3

Turn left onto James Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · James Street
4

Continue on NY 12

6.4 mi · 9 min · State Highway 12
5

Continue on NY 12

13 mi · 20 min · Amelia Street
6

At end of road, turn left onto NY 12

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
7

Turn right onto US 11; NY 12

0.4 mi · 33 sec · Mill Street
8

Continue on NY 3; NY 12

314 ft · 7 sec · Public Square
9

Continue on NY 3; NY 12

1.7 mi · 3 min · State Street
10

Turn right onto NY 12

2.4 mi · 2 min · Gifford Street
11

Continue on NY 12

8.4 mi · 9 min · Van Allen Road
12

Continue on NY 12

1.4 mi · 1 min · State Highway 12
13

Continue on NY 12

0.6 mi · 41 sec · Main Street
14

Continue on NY 12

0.6 mi · 38 sec · High Street
15

Continue on NY 12

0.3 mi · 22 sec · County Road 14
16

Continue on NY 12

11 mi · 13 min · State Highway 12
17

Continue on NY 12

0.5 mi · 1 min · Dayan Street
18

Turn right onto NY 12; NY 26

0.6 mi · 1 min · South State Street
19

Continue on NY 12

0.5 mi · 1 min · Utica Boulevard
20

Continue on NY 12

20 mi · 23 min · Bea Luck Road
21

Continue on NY 12

0.8 mi · 51 sec · State Highway 12
22

Continue on NY 12

9.7 mi · 11 min · Erwin Parkway
23

Continue on NY 12

22 mi · 30 min · State Highway 12
24

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
25

Merge onto NY 49

0.4 mi · 26 sec · State Route 49
26

Continue on I 790; NY 5

0.2 mi · 13 sec · I 790; NY 5
27

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
28

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90
29

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 90 East
30

Merge onto I 90

84 mi · 1 hr 36 min · New York State Thruway
31

Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway

118 mi · 2 hr 16 min · New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston Use the slight right lane.
32

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.
33

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
34

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.
35

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
36

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
37

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4
Use the right lane.
38

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
40

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
42

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
44

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45

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.
46

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
47

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49

Continue on NY 24

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
50

At end of road, turn left onto NY 24

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
51

Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue

0.9 mi · 2 min · Hempstead Avenue
52

Turn right onto 225th Street

228 ft · 9 sec · 225th Street
Use the right lane.
53

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
54

Merge onto CI

1.3 mi · 1 min · Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
55

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 25A Toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island Use the slight left / straight lanes.
56

Merge onto SO

18 mi · 22 min · Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
57

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 33 Toward NY 109 East: Babylon Use the slight right lane.
58

Turn slight right onto NY 109

3.5 mi · 5 min · Farmingdale Road
Use the left lane.
59

Continue on NY 109

0.9 mi · 1 min · Little East Neck Road North
60

Turn left onto NY 27A

0.5 mi · 49 sec · West Main Street
61

Turn right onto South Carll Avenue

68 ft · 2 sec · South Carll Avenue
62

Arrive at destination

South Carll Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour, 47-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Clayton to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach your destination in Babylon. With 2 planned stops, you'll have opportunities to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch is over 200 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, particularly before embarking on that segment on the New York State Thruway. Given the 373.2-mile distance, breaking it up with an overnight could enhance your enjoyment and reduce fatigue.

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 186.6 miles from Clayton, NY, or about 3h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.9 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 82 miles or 1h 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 186.6 miles or 3h 56m 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 23m

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 Clayton, 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 Clayton, NY

This is one driving day of about 373.2 miles and 7h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Clayton, 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 New York State Thruway for about 201.9 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

187 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

Whitesboro, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Niskayuna, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 186.6 miles from Clayton, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 201.9 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 34

5 decision points cluster between mile 188.1 and 349.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
188.1 mi into trip | ~3h 58m in | New York State Thruway

Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
9
306.3 mi into trip | ~6h 14m 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
307.6 mi into trip | ~6h 16m 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
336.7 mi into trip | ~6h 56m 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
349.7 mi into trip | ~7h 15m in

Take the exit toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 25A Toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Lon...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$61.43 one way

$122.86 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 131 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $66.43 $132.85
premium $4.92 $72.33 $144.67
diesel $5.61 $82.40 $164.80

Estimated Tolls: $32.64

George Washington Bridge $16.00
New York State Thruway (201.9 mi) $10.09
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

$61

Tolls

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$119–$144

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 130.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 112 1 $39.19 $17.91
Efficient EV 93.3 1 $32.65 $14.93
EV Truck/SUV 149.3 1 $52.25 $23.88

Gas CO2

131 kg

EV CO2

44 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

Clayton, NY

Morning in Clayton on Tuesday

Local time

6:42 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Babylon, NY

Morning in Babylon on Tuesday

Local time

6:42 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Mostly Sunny

S 10 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

18 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 47m 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.

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...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 334.6
View on nps.gov
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 ~11 min detour Free near mile 334.6
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...

10 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 334.6
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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 334.6
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 ~28 min detour Free near mile 334.6
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...

12 mi from route ~29 min detour Free near mile 334.6
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 characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive.' While 29% of your journey will be on highways, much of the route involves navigating local roads and making turns, so be prepared for a dynamic driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 201.9 miles on the New York State Thruway, offering a period of consistent cruising. However, the overall profile suggests a route that frequently shifts between faster highway segments and more winding local roads, requiring your attention.

Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
62 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 201.9 mi on New York State Thruway.

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 188.1 miles in near New York State Thruway.

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 34 significant decision points across 373.2 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 188.1 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 306.3 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 307.6 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Clayton, NY and Babylon, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South, Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Cross Island Parkway South - among others.

Genesee Street South

103.2 mi in | ~2h 18m

Boston

188.1 mi in | ~3h 58m | via New York State Thruway

Gsp South: Paterson

321.7 mi in | ~6h 34m

Fort Lee

321.7 mi in | ~6h 34m

New York

321.7 mi in | ~6h 34m

Cross Island Parkway South

348.1 mi in | ~7h 12m

Southern State Parkway East

349.7 mi in | ~7h 15m

Eastern Long Island

349.7 mi in | ~7h 15m

About the Cities

Arriving in Babylon, NY

Full guide →

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 47m. Total distance: 373.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 47m 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 201.9 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $32.64 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 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. 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 188.1 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 306.3 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 307.6 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant 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 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Babylon, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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