Clinton, NY to Oyster Bay, NY is 266.1 miles and takes about 5h 31m via New York State Thruway and Northern Boulevard, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a driving experience that involves frequent turns as you navigate local roads alongside stretches of highway. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is best suited for those who prefer a more engaged driving experience over long, uninterrupted highway cruising.
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
133.1 miles from Clinton, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
201.9 mi
3h 53m
Northern Boulevard
14.5 mi
24m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
North-South Arterial Highway
3.8 mi
5m
Clinton Road
2.2 mi
3m
Clearview Expressway
2.1 mi
2m
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 Clinton, NY and Oyster Bay, NY.
1
Start on NY 12B
69 ft·1 sec·South Park Row
2
Continue on NY 12B
0.1 mi·10 sec·South Park Row
3
Continue on NY 12B
2.0 mi·3 min·Utica Street
4
Continue on NY 12B
2.2 mi·3 min·Clinton Road
5
Turn right onto NY 5
3.8 mi·5 min·North-South Arterial Highway
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
7
Keep slight right at fork
219 ft·6 sec
8
Turn slight right onto Court Street
0.3 mi·55 sec·Court Street
9
Turn left onto Genesee Street
1.5 mi·2 min·Genesee Street
10
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 90
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 90 East
12
Merge onto I 90
84 mi·1 hr 36 min·New York State Thruway
13
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.
14
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.
15
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
19
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
24
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
26
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
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.
28
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
29
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·2 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 5Toward NY 25A: Northern BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on Clearview Expressway
457 ft·17 sec·Clearview Expressway
33
Turn left onto NY 25A
15 mi·24 min·Northern Boulevard
Use the left lane.
34
Turn left onto NY 106
0.3 mi·29 sec·Jericho Oyster Bay Road
35
Turn straight onto NY 106
0.5 mi·46 sec·Oyster Bay Road
36
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 106
260 ft·4 sec·Oyster Bay Road
37
Continue on NY 106
0.9 mi·1 min·Pine Hollow Road
Use the left lane.
38
Continue on NY 106
105 ft·5 sec·South Street
39
Turn right onto Berry Hill Road
112 ft·9 sec·Berry Hill Road
40
Continue on Berry Hill Road
64 ft·2 sec·Berry Hill Road
41
Arrive at destination
Berry Hill Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 31m estimated duration, starting your drive in the morning allows ample time to reach Oyster Bay without feeling rushed. While the drive is manageable in one day, consider the "turn-heavy local drive" profile; frequent stops might not be necessary, but be mindful of the changing road conditions. You'll encounter a significant 201.9-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before entering this longer segment, as services might be spaced out. The approximate fuel cost is $44, which is helpful for budgeting.
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 133.1 miles from Clinton, NY, or about 2h 40m 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 59 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.1 miles or 2h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oyster Bay, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clinton, 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 Clinton, NY
This is one driving day of about 266.1 miles and 5h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Clinton, 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 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 94.4 and 249.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
94.4 mi into trip|~1h 55m 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
212.5 mi into trip|~4h 11m 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
213.9 mi into trip|~4h 13m 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
243 mi into trip|~4h 53m 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
7
249.6 mi into trip|~5h 2m in
Take the exit toward NY 25A: Northern Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward NY 25A: Northern Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.58 one way
$93.16 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$50.48
$100.95
premium
$5.23
$54.79
$109.58
diesel
$6.28
$65.75
$131.50
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
$47
Tolls
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$104–$129
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.8
0
$27.94
$12.77
Efficient EV
66.5
0
$23.28
$10.64
EV Truck/SUV
106.4
1
$37.25
$17.03
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Clinton, NY
Morning
in Clinton on Friday
Local time
6:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
W 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Oyster Bay, NY
Morning
in Oyster Bay on Friday
Local time
6:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Sunny
NE 6 to 9 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
3 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
5h 31m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 249.8
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
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 249.8
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
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 249.8
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 249.8
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 249.8
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
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 249.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you'll encounter numerous intersections and changes in direction. While 13% of the journey is on highways, the majority involves navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 201.9 miles on the New York State Thruway, providing a significant segment of faster driving. As you progress, be prepared for the drive to shift from the efficiency of the Thruway to more involved navigation on roads like Northern Boulevard and NJ 17.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
41 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 94.4 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 23 significant decision points across 266.1 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 94.4 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.9 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
610 ft-5 ft
Total Climb
507 ft
Total Descent
1,072 ft
Highest Point
610 ft
Elevation Range
615 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clinton, NY and Oyster Bay, NY, road signs point toward Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Oyster Bay is one of three towns in Nassau County, on Long Island, New York.
The town of Oyster Bay comprises a large portion of eastern Nassau County and includes a slew of villages and other communities. This article covers North Oyster Bay – the area closest to Oyster Bay itself (in other words, everything that is north of the Long Island Expressway). See South Oyster Bay for the southern half of the town (in other words, the area south of the expressway). See the article for Glen Cove for communities in the northwest part of the town that are closest to that city.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 31m. Total distance: 266.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 26 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 Oyster Bay, 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 94.4 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.9 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Oyster Bay, NY before the return drive.
