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Trip from East Islip, NY to Syracuse, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 8m

Distance

300.8 mi

484 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 55m ★
6 AM
6h 8m
8 AM
6h 34m
10 AM
6h 17m
12 PM
6h 14m
3 PM
6h 18m
5 PM
6h 32m
8 PM
6h 0m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown East Islip, NY, NY

East Islip, NY

Mel Audelo

city in and county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States

Syracuse, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 300.8-mile drive from East Islip, NY, to Syracuse, NY, is designed as a single-day journey, taking approximately 6 hours and 8 minutes to complete. The route primarily utilizes major highways, with 69% of the drive focused on interstate travel, making it a highway-centric experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $50, this trip is budget-friendly for a single-day excursion. Both your starting point and destination are within the Northeast region, so you'll be traversing familiar territory throughout your journey. This route offers a straightforward path for those looking to cover ground efficiently within 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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

150.4 miles from East Islip, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 128.5 mi 2h 31m
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
Heckscher State Parkway 7 mi 8m
Cross Bronx Expressway 6.6 mi 8m
Clearview Expressway 5 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 128.5 mi, about 2h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Islip, NY and Syracuse, 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 Bridge Use 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 26B Toward NY 24: UBS Arena-Belmont Park Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

437 ft · 12 sec
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue Use 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 West Use 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 Bridge Use 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: Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use 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 69 Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack Use 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 293 Toward 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

66 mi · 1 hr 17 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

0.2 mi · 17 sec · I 81
Toward Syracuse Use the straight lane.
41

Continue on I-81

0.4 mi · 26 sec · I-81
42

Continue on I 81

1.9 mi · 2 min · I 81
43

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward Adams Street, Harrison Street Use the slight right lane.
44

Continue on Almond Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Almond Street
Use the left / slight left / straight / right lanes.
45

Turn left onto NY 92

0.3 mi · 36 sec · East Genesee Street
46

At end of road, turn right onto US 11

10 ft · 0 sec · South State Street
47

Arrive at destination

US 11

Trip Plan

For this 6-hour drive, departing in the morning, perhaps around 9 AM, will allow you to arrive in Syracuse with ample daylight. Since it's designed as a one-day trip, you can complete it without needing an overnight stop, and the estimated fuel cost of $50 makes it an economical choice. Plan for one stop to break up the longest stretch of 128.5 miles on I-81; finding a service area or a convenient exit for a quick rest and refueling is advisable. Keep an eye on traffic, especially as you approach more populated areas, as that can impact your 6-hour duration.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 150.4 miles from East Islip, NY, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.5 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 66 miles or 1h 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 150.4 miles or 3h 10m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Syracuse, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from East Islip, NY

This is one driving day of about 300.8 miles and 6h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from East Islip, 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 81 for about 128.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

150 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

New York City, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Port Jervis, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 150.4 miles from East Islip, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 128.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Triplets Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 128.9

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+15704216566

Visit website

Hapgoods Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

2.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Rosamond Gifford Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Syracuse, New York

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 300.8

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+13154358511

Visit website

Triplets Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 128.9

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+15704216566

Visit website

Hapgoods Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 85.9

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19732993399

Visit website

Hainan

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 43

Flushing, New York

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19175637223

Visit website

Sabor Restaurant & Bakery

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 43

College Point, New York

Hours: 6:30 am–10 pm

+13473684407

Visit website

Lima 33 Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately mile 43

Little Neck, New York

Hours: 1–9 pm

+17182254949

Visit website

Honey Day Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 64.5

Glen Rock, New Jersey

Hours: 8:30 am–3 pm

+12013893535

Visit website

Fusion 27 restaurant and catering services

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour Moderately mile 64.5

Totowa, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+19735955595

Visit website

Fasil Mediterranean Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 85.9

Boonton, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19739173334

Visit website

Rosamond Gifford Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 300.8

Syracuse, New York

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+13154358511

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 64.5

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 85.9

Denville, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 85.9

Rockaway, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 171.9

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 171.9

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

IONNA Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 171.9

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18334662474

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 85.9

Denville, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 171.9

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 171.9

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: 12–8 am

+18887584389

Visit website

Museum of Science & Technology

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 300.8

Syracuse, New York

Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm

+13154259068

Visit website

5 Wits Syracuse

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 300.8

Syracuse, New York

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+13159884001

Visit website

WonderWorks Destiny

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 300.8

Syracuse, New York

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+13154667700

Visit website

Get Air Trampoline Park

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 300.8

Syracuse, New York

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+13152165833

Visit website

Posh Princess Palace

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 64.5

Lodi, New Jersey

Hours: 1–7 pm

+18628997674

Visit website

Eisenhower Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 21.5

East Meadow, New York

+15165720348

Visit website

iFLY Indoor Skydiving- Paramus

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 64.5

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–8:30 pm

+12017334359

Visit website

Skä•noñh Great Law of Peace Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 300.8

Liverpool, New York

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13154536767

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 33

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

$49.51 one way

$99.03 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $53.54 $107.08
premium $4.92 $58.30 $116.60
diesel $5.61 $66.41 $132.83

Estimated Tolls: $22.83

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55
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

$50

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$97–$122

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 105.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 90.2 1 $31.58 $14.44
Efficient EV 75.2 0 $26.32 $12.03
EV Truck/SUV 120.3 1 $42.11 $19.25

Gas CO2

105 kg

EV CO2

35 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 Apr 16, 2026

Origin

East Islip, NY

Late night in East Islip on Sunday

Local time

12:23 AM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Syracuse, NY

Late night in Syracuse on Sunday

Local time

12:23 AM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Rain Showers Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 7 mph 60% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

49°F

Ramapo, NY

150 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.

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

27 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

6h 8m 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

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 ~5 min detour Free near mile 51.9
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

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 51.9
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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 51.9
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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 51.9
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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 51.9
View on nps.gov
Fire Island National Seashore

Fire Island National Seashore

National Seashore

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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a drive that is predominantly highway-focused, with 69% of your travel time spent on interstates like I-81 and I-380. The Christopher Columbus Highway also plays a role in this journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 128.5 miles along I-81, meaning you'll have extended periods of consistent speed and road conditions. This profile suggests a drive characterized by steady progress rather than winding scenic detours, offering a predictable experience for the driver.

69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.5 mi on I 81.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. 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 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 33 significant decision points across 300.8 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 Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Hackensack - among others.

Cross Island Parkway North

33 mi in | ~42m

Hempstead Avenue West

34.8 mi in | ~45m

Grandstand

35 mi in | ~45m

Upper Level

51.2 mi in | ~1h 8m | via I 95; US 1

Njtp South: Hackensack

53.7 mi in | ~1h 12m

Hackensack

56.3 mi in | ~1h 16m

Albany

229.1 mi in | ~4h 42m | via I 81

About the Cities

Arriving in Syracuse, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1848

Syracuse is a city in Central New York. With a population of 149,000 in city proper and 662,000 in its metro area (2020), Syracuse is the fifth largest city in the state of New York, and the third largest in Upstate New York.

Top landmarks

  • • Oncenter War Memorial Arena — arena in Syracuse, New York
  • • Everson Museum of Art — art museum in Syracuse, New York
  • • Niagara Mohawk Building — historic commercial building in New York, United States

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 6h 8m. Total distance: 300.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 128.5 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $22.83 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 Syracuse, 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. 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 — 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 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Syracuse, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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