Clifton Park to Smithtown is 205.5 miles and takes about 4h 18m via I 87 and the Long Island Expressway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving south from the Northeast region. Expect a mostly highway experience for the duration of this drive. With a recommended one-day trip, you can comfortably make this drive without needing an overnight stay. It's a straightforward path for those looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
102.8 miles from Clifton Park, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 87
118.6 mi
2h 17m
Long Island Expressway
14.2 mi
19m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
Northern State Parkway
13.7 mi
18m
Adirondack Northway
12.4 mi
16m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Jericho Turnpike
3.9 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 87
— 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 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 Clifton Park, NY and Smithtown, NY.
1
Start on Old Route 146
75 ft·5 sec·Old Route 146
2
Turn right onto US 9
0.1 mi·16 sec·Halfmoon Parkway
3
Turn slight right
417 ft·16 sec
4
Turn straight onto NY 146
0.4 mi·41 sec·State Highway 146
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 87 South: AlbanyUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 87
12 mi·16 min·Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
0.3 mi·31 sec·I 87
Exit 1E-WToward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, BuffaloUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 87
0.5 mi·51 sec·I 87
Exit 1WToward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 87
Toward I 87 South: New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
12
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.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
15
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
20
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
22
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
25
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 295
3.2 mi·3 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 4E-WToward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long IslandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 4EToward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
29
Merge onto I 495
14 mi·19 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 42Toward N East: HauppaugeUse the slight right lane.
31
Merge onto N
14 mi·18 min·Northern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 45Toward SM North: Kings ParkUse the right lane.
33
Merge onto SA
499 ft·6 sec·Sagtikos State Parkway
34
Continue on SM
1.7 mi·1 min·Sunken Meadow State Parkway
35
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit SM3EToward NY 25 East: Jericho Turnpike East, SmithtownUse the slight right lane.
36
Turn slight right onto NY 25
3.9 mi·5 min·Jericho Turnpike
37
Continue on NY 25; NY 25A
0.6 mi·54 sec·West Main Street
Use the left lane.
38
Arrive at destination
NY 25; NY 25A
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour drive, consider leaving Clifton Park in the morning to avoid peak traffic, especially as you get closer to Long Island. The route has a single recommended stop, so plan it strategically to break up the drive. You'll cover 205.5 miles with an estimated fuel cost of $33. Given the relatively short duration, you have flexibility; however, be mindful of potential congestion on the Long Island Expressway as you approach Smithtown. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as highway services can be spaced out on longer stretches.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 102.8 miles from Clifton Park, NY, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 45 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.8 miles or 2h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 26m
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 Clifton Park, 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 Clifton Park, NY
This is one driving day of about 205.5 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Clifton Park, 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 87 for about 118.6 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.3 and 170.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
13.3 mi into trip|~18m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1E-W
Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
9
131.9 mi into trip|~2h 36m 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
133.3 mi into trip|~2h 37m 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
162.3 mi into trip|~3h 17m 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
170.1 mi into trip|~3h 28m 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
$33.24 one way
$66.49 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$36.08
$72.15
premium
$4.85
$39.22
$78.45
diesel
$4.80
$38.80
$77.60
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
$33
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.7
0
$21.58
$9.86
Efficient EV
51.4
0
$17.98
$8.22
EV Truck/SUV
82.2
1
$28.77
$13.15
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Clifton Park, NY
Late night
in Clifton Park on Monday
Local time
3:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 9 mph68% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:21PM EDT until July 18 at 11:30PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 3:57PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Smithtown, NY
Late night
in Smithtown on Monday
Local time
3:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 9 to 13 mph87% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:21PM EDT until July 18 at 11:30PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 3:57PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Upton 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
10 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
4h 18m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 155.9
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 155.9
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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 155.9
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 155.9
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 155.9
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 155.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 91% highway, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for most of the 205.5 miles. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 118.6 miles on I 87. You'll notice the change from I 87 to the Long Island Expressway and NJ 17, with the latter likely presenting more local traffic and exits as you approach your destination. The transition marks a shift from open highway cruising to more developed areas.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.6 mi on I 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 87 and Long Island Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.3 miles in near I 87.
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 25 significant decision points across 205.5 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 13.3 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
546 ft24 ft
Total Climb
648 ft
Total Descent
940 ft
Highest Point
546 ft
~117.4 mi in
Elevation Range
522 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clifton Park, NY and Smithtown, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and Eastern Long Island - among others.
Clifton Park is a city in the Hudson Valley in the Capital District region of New York. It is in Saratoga County between Albany and Saratoga Springs in upstate New York. Home of one of the largest school districts in the state, it has plenty of attractions, and close access to Albany and Saratoga.
Top landmarks
•Cyrus Rexford House — historic house in Rexford, New York state, USA
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 205.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.6 miles on I 87. 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 16 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.3 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Smithtown, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
