This 424.1-mile journey from East Islip, NY, to Amherst, NY, will take approximately 8 hours and 51 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing the New York State Thruway and I-81, this trip is best split over two days, given its duration. With a projected fuel cost of around $70 and two recommended stops, you'll want to plan for at least one overnight stay to comfortably cover the distance. The route traverses entirely within New York, offering a consistent regional experience as you head west across the state. This drive offers a practical way to connect these two points in the Northeast.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
212.1 miles from East Islip, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
99.6 mi
1h 55m
I 81
97.3 mi
1h 55m
Christopher Columbus Highway
68.2 mi
1h 20m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Southern State Parkway
25 mi
31m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Islip, NY and Amherst, NY.
1
Start on Pauchogue Avenue
59 ft·4 sec·Pauchogue Avenue
2
Turn right onto NY 27A
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
3
Continue on NY 27A
462 ft·8 sec·Montauk Highway
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward SO West: New York
5
Merge onto H
7.0 mi·8 min·Heckscher State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on SO
0.1 mi·9 sec·Southern State Parkway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
25 mi·31 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the slight left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
10
Take the exit
317 ft·9 sec
Exit 26BToward NY 24: UBS Arena-Belmont ParkUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
437 ft·12 sec
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead AvenueUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West
13
Keep slight right at fork
266 ft·8 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·13 sec·this road
Toward Grandstand, Hempstead Avenue West
15
Keep slight left at fork
100 ft·4 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue
16
Turn right onto NY 24
1.0 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Jamaica Avenue
18
Turn right onto NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·212th Street
19
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
21
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi·8 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
24
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
25
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi·39 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
30
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 69Toward I 80 West: Paterson, HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 80
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
35
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
36
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
37
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
38
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
39
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
40
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
41
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
42
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
43
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
44
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
45
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
46
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
47
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
48
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
49
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
50
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
51
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
52
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
53
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
54
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
55
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
56
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
57
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
58
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
59
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
60
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
61
Merge onto I 90
100 mi·1 hr 55 min·New York State Thruway
62
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
63
Continue on I 290
1.8 mi·2 min·Youngmann Expressway
64
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 324, NY 240: Sheridan Drive, Harlem RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
65
Turn left onto NY 324
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Drive
Use the left / right lanes.
66
Turn left onto NY 263
469 ft·13 sec·Millersport Highway
Use the left lane.
67
Arrive at destination
NY 263
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 8-hour, 51-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight hours. Since this trip is recommended for two days, plan your first day to cover about half the distance, allowing for a relaxed evening. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before the longest stretch of 99.6 miles on the New York State Thruway. With two stops suggested, aim for one around the halfway point to rest and refuel. This route's mix of highway and local roads means paying attention to varying speed limits and potential traffic patterns.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 212.1 miles from East Islip, NY, or about 4h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 93 miles or 1h 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 212.1 miles or 4h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 212.1 miles or 4h 22m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Amherst, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving East Islip, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from East Islip, NY
Aim for roughly 212 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Amherst, NY
Aim for roughly 212 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from East Islip, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 99.6 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 46
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.7 and 56.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
34.7 mi into trip|~45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
8
34.9 mi into trip|~45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hempstead Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Hempstead Avenue West
8
53.7 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
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.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
54 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
56.3 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
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 69
Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$69.81 one way
$139.62 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg148 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$75.49
$150.97
premium
$4.92
$82.20
$164.40
diesel
$5.61
$93.64
$187.27
Estimated Tolls: $27.81
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(99.6 mi)$4.98
New Jersey Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.28
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
$70
Tolls
$28
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$228–$338
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 148.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
127.2
1
$44.53
$20.36
Efficient EV
106
1
$37.11
$16.96
EV Truck/SUV
169.6
2
$59.37
$27.14
Gas CO2
148 kg
EV CO2
50 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 15, 2026
Origin
East Islip, NY
Night
in East Islip on Saturday
Local time
9:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Amherst, NY
Night
in Amherst on Saturday
Local time
9:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Ramapo, NY
212 mi in
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
5 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
8h 51m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 307.1
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 321.7
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 58.5
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 58.5
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
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 58.5
Immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife, Fire Island has been a special...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a route with a significant turn-heavy local drive profile, despite 44% of it being on highways. While you'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 99.6 miles on the New York State Thruway, much of the drive will involve navigating more varied road types. The Christopher Columbus Highway also features in this routing. This suggests a driving experience that balances efficient highway travel with more engaged local road navigation, rather than a simple interstate cruise.
Only 44% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
67 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 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 34.7 miles in.
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 46 significant decision points across 424.1 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 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Islip, NY and Amherst, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Hackensack - among others.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.6 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 212 miles on day one.
Expect about $27.81 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 Amherst, 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 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Women's Rights National Historical Park and General Grant National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Amherst, NY before the return drive.
