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
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,060 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,244 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 72 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 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, BostonUse the slight right lane.
32
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.
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 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse 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 BridgeUse 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 6BToward I 295 South: Throgs Neck BridgeUse 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 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse 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 33Toward NY 109 East: BabylonUse 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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
$65.32 one way
$130.65 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg131 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$70.79
$141.58
premium
$5.23
$76.84
$153.69
diesel
$6.18
$90.79
$181.58
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
$65
Tolls
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$123–$148
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, 2026-10-19.
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
$32.66
$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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Clayton, NY
Evening
in Clayton on Tuesday
Local time
6:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Clear
S 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Babylon, NY
Evening
in Babylon on Tuesday
Local time
6:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Clear
NE 6 mph0% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
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 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,204 ft7 ft
Total Climb
1,592 ft
Total Descent
1,858 ft
Highest Point
1,204 ft
~80 mi in
Elevation Range
1,197 ft
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.
Clayton (population 1,700 in 2020) and Alexandria Bay (pop. 900 in 2020) are small villages in northern New York which, along with Cape Vincent (pop. 2,800 in 2016) serve as US points of access to the Thousand Islands.
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.
Yes — we found about 28 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. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
