Trip from Clayton, NY to Islip, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 56m

Distance

379.5 mi

611 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$66

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min

4 AM

7h 48m ★

6 AM

7h 57m

8 AM

8h 15m

10 AM

8h 3m

12 PM

8h 1m

3 PM

8h 4m

5 PM

8h 14m

8 PM

7h 52m

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

Best Time

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Clayton, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

town in Suffolk County, New York, United States

Islip, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 379.5-mile drive from Clayton, NY, to Islip, NY, is estimated to take around 7 hours and 56 minutes, making it a manageable, though long, day trip. You'll primarily be on the New York State Thruway, State Highway 12, and the Southern State Parkway, with about 30% of the journey on highways. Budget approximately $62 for fuel, and plan for two stops along the way. Given its duration, starting early is key to arriving before dark. This route stays within the Northeast region, traversing New York State.

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

189.7 miles from Clayton, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
New York State Thruway	201.9 mi	3h 53m
State Highway 12	41.5 mi	55m
Southern State Parkway	24.7 mi	31m
Bea Luck Road	19.8 mi	23m
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

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Islip, NY.

Start on Park Circle

34 ft · 3 sec · Park Circle

Turn right onto Mary Street

220 ft · 15 sec · Mary Street

Turn left onto James Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · James Street

Continue on NY 12

6.4 mi · 9 min · State Highway 12

Continue on NY 12

13 mi · 20 min · Amelia Street

At end of road, turn left onto NY 12

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Main Street

Turn right onto US 11; NY 12

0.4 mi · 33 sec · Mill Street

Continue on NY 3; NY 12

314 ft · 7 sec · Public Square

Continue on NY 3; NY 12

1.7 mi · 3 min · State Street

Turn right onto NY 12

2.4 mi · 2 min · Gifford Street

Continue on NY 12

8.4 mi · 9 min · Van Allen Road

Continue on NY 12

1.4 mi · 1 min · State Highway 12

Continue on NY 12

0.6 mi · 41 sec · Main Street

Continue on NY 12

0.6 mi · 38 sec · High Street

Continue on NY 12

0.3 mi · 22 sec · County Road 14

Continue on NY 12

11 mi · 13 min · State Highway 12

Continue on NY 12

0.5 mi · 1 min · Dayan Street

Turn right onto NY 12; NY 26

0.6 mi · 1 min · South State Street

Continue on NY 12

0.5 mi · 1 min · Utica Boulevard

Continue on NY 12

20 mi · 23 min · Bea Luck Road

Continue on NY 12

0.8 mi · 51 sec · State Highway 12

Continue on NY 12

9.7 mi · 11 min · Erwin Parkway

Continue on NY 12

22 mi · 30 min · State Highway 12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Merge onto NY 49

0.4 mi · 26 sec · State Route 49

Continue on I 790; NY 5

0.2 mi · 13 sec · I 790; NY 5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec

Toward Genesee Street South

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward I 90

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Toward I 90 East

Merge onto I 90

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

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.

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.

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17

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.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec

Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4

Use the right lane.

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec

Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on NY 24

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hollis Court Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

At end of road, turn left onto NY 24

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Jamaica Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue

0.9 mi · 2 min · Hempstead Avenue

Turn right onto 225th Street

228 ft · 9 sec · 225th Street

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge

Merge onto CI

1.3 mi · 1 min · Cross Island Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

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

Merge onto SO

25 mi · 31 min · Southern State Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto SO

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Southern State Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 41S Toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto CR 57

0.5 mi · 1 min · Bay Shore Road

Continue on CR 57

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Howells Road

Turn straight onto CR 57

341 ft · 6 sec · Sunrise Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57

0.6 mi · 1 min · Howells Road

Toward Howells Road South Use the right lane.

Continue on CR 57

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Roosevelt Street

Continue on CR 57

0.7 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Main Street

Continue on Montauk Highway

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Montauk Highway

Continue on NY 27A

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Arrive at destination

NY 27A

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour, 56-minute trip, consider departing Clayton, NY, by 8:00 AM to allow for your two planned stops and arrive in Islip, NY, with daylight to spare. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 200 miles on the New York State Thruway, so plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically before or after this segment. With a $62 fuel cost estimate, you can easily track your spending. Keep an eye out for signage directing you onto State Highway 12 and then the Southern State Parkway as you approach your destination.

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 189.7 miles from Clayton, NY, or about 4h 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 83 miles or 1h 50m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 189.7 miles or 4h 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 31m

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 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 379.5 miles and 7h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 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.

village in town of Greenburgh, Westchester County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tarrytown, NY

190 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 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake Luzerne, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 189.7 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · around the midpoint

Barcelona Restaurant-Wine Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Albany, New York

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset · 3h 58m in / 3h 59m to go 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15184381144

Visit website

Best coffee break · home stretch

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hackensack, New Jersey

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 1h 8m to go 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Cafe Tropical Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hackensack, New Jersey

1.1 mi

Bite Food & Coffee Co

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hackensack, New Jersey

2.1 mi

Barcelona Restaurant-Wine Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Albany, New York

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15184381144

Visit website

Crabtree's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately

Floral Park, New York

Hours: 12–10 pm

+15163267769

Visit website

Sayola Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately

Tenafly, New Jersey

Hours: 4–10 pm

+12018712182

Visit website

Luigi's Restaurant And Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately

Queens, New York

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+17183477136

Visit website

Tool's Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Delmar, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+15184399111

Visit website

Shogun Japan Japanese restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour Moderately

Hollis, New York

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13322041966

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Cafe Tropical Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12018800669

Bite Food & Coffee Co

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12015602269

Visit website

Bon Appetit Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Albany, New York

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+15184592180

Visit website

Painting Pottery Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12018715958

Visit website

Cafe Madison

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Albany, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+15189351094

Visit website

Rumba Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Leonia, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12013630008

Hometown Cafe and Grill

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Dumont, New Jersey

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+12013742130

Visit website

Quick Charge Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Amsterdam, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18552703107

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Amsterdam, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

EVolve NY Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Amsterdam, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19142874200

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

2.7 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Frankfort, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Guilderland, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Albany, New York

Hours: 12–8 pm

+15187592288

Visit website

Shooting Zone

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 12–9 pm

+12014401329

Visit website

Ready to Golf

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

River Edge, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+16093887728

Visit website

Bowler City

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+12013433545

Visit website

iFLY Indoor Skydiving- Paramus

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–8:30 pm

+12017334359

Visit website

Catch Air Paramus

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12016202125

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12014871088

Visit website

Teaneck Creek Conservancy

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Teaneck, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12018362403

Visit website

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 374.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

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

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

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

374.9 mi into trip | ~7h 48m 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

$66.43 one way

$132.85 round trip

$4.45/gal 25.4 MPG avg 133 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.82	$71.99	$143.97
premium	$5.23	$78.14	$156.28
diesel	$6.18	$92.32	$184.64

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

$66

Tolls

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$124–$149

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 132.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	113.9	1	$39.85	$18.22
Efficient EV	94.9	1	$33.21	$15.18
EV Truck/SUV	151.8	1	$53.13	$24.29

Gas CO2

133 kg

EV CO2

44 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.

Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026

Origin

Clayton, NY

Evening in Clayton on Tuesday

Local time

6:50 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Clear

S 8 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Islip, NY

Evening in Islip on Tuesday

Local time

6:50 PM

EDT

Current temp

43°F

Clear

NE 6 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

1 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

7h 56m 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

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' with a highway share of 30%, indicating a significant portion of your journey will involve navigating local roads and intersections. While there's a substantial stretch of 201.9 miles on the New York State Thruway for faster travel, the overall profile suggests frequent changes in speed and road type. This means you'll experience a dynamic driving experience, shifting between highway cruising and more involved local road navigation.

Only 30% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

68 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 379.5 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

1,315 ft 12 ft

Total Climb

1,635 ft

Total Descent

1,895 ft

Highest Point

1,315 ft

~81.3 mi in

Elevation Range

1,303 ft

Notable High Points

1,315 ft at ~81.3 miles +512 ft prominence

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 Islip, 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

Starting in Clayton, NY

Full guide →

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.

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 56m. Total distance: 379.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 56m 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 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. There are 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.9 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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