East Rochester, NY to Islip, NY is 356.2 miles and takes about 7h 35m via I 81 and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, taking you across New York State. With a recommended one-day trip, you'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward route for reaching your destination efficiently. Consider this option if you prefer a direct path with minimal scenic detours.
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
178.1 miles from East Rochester, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
New York State Thruway
30 mi
34m
Southern State Parkway
24.7 mi
31m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 168 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,210 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,900
Quietest
1 AM
~430 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 East Rochester, NY and Islip, NY.
1
Start on Main Street
0.3 mi·54 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto NY 31F
0.4 mi·56 sec·Fairport Road
3
Turn right onto CR 38
1.6 mi·3 min·Marsh Road
4
Turn left onto NY 31
0.4 mi·39 sec·Palmyra Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 490 East, I 90: VictorUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 490
5.2 mi·6 min·Eastern Expressway
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
8
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
11
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
12
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
14
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
16
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
17
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
18
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
19
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
20
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
21
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
22
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
23
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
24
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
25
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
26
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
28
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
33
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
34
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
36
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
38
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
40
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
41
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
42
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
43
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
45
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
47
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
49
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
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.
51
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
52
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
53
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
54
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
55
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
56
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
57
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
58
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
59
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
60
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
61
Merge onto SO
25 mi·31 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
62
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
63
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 41SToward Bay Shore Road South, Bay ShoreUse the slight right lane.
64
Turn straight onto CR 57
0.5 mi·1 min·Bay Shore Road
65
Continue on CR 57
0.3 mi·43 sec·Howells Road
66
Turn straight onto CR 57
341 ft·6 sec·Sunrise Highway
67
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57
0.6 mi·1 min·Howells Road
Toward Howells Road SouthUse the right lane.
68
Continue on CR 57
0.2 mi·24 sec·Roosevelt Street
69
Continue on CR 57
0.7 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue
70
At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A
1.1 mi·1 min·East Main Street
71
Continue on Montauk Highway
0.2 mi·17 sec·Montauk Highway
72
Continue on NY 27A
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
73
Arrive at destination
NY 27A
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight. Plan for your two stops to be roughly evenly spaced to break up the 7h 35m duration. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 98.8-mile stretch on I 81, as services can be spread out. The fuel cost is estimated at $58, so budget accordingly. Since this route is under 8 hours, you have the flexibility to adjust your stop times based on how you feel.
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 178.1 miles from East Rochester, NY, or about 3h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 78 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.1 miles or 3h 51m 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 12m
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 East Rochester, 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 East Rochester, NY
This is one driving day of about 356.2 miles and 7h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from East Rochester, 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 I 81 for about 98.8 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 47
5 decision points cluster between mile 38.9 and 351.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
38.9 mi into trip|~48m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
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 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
189.2 mi into trip|~4h 4m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
303.8 mi into trip|~6h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
304 mi into trip|~6h 20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
9
351.6 mi into trip|~7h 26m 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
$57.62 one way
$115.25 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$62.53
$125.06
premium
$4.85
$67.99
$135.97
diesel
$4.80
$67.26
$134.51
Estimated Tolls: $24.05
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(30 mi)$1.50
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
$58
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$107–$132
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.9
1
$37.40
$17.10
Efficient EV
89.1
1
$31.17
$14.25
EV Truck/SUV
142.5
1
$49.87
$22.80
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
East Rochester, NY
Afternoon
in East Rochester on Sunday
Local time
3:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Patchy Smoke
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Islip, NY
Afternoon
in Islip on Sunday
Local time
3:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Smoke
N 6 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
8 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
7h 35m 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
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 307.1
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 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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 36.9
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 61.4
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 307.1
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 307.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll cover 54% of this 356.2-mile trip on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 98.8 miles on I 81. After this, expect a shift to mostly surface roads for the remainder of your drive. With two planned stops, you'll have opportunities to break up the 7h 35m driving time.
Only 54% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
73 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 81.
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 38.9 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 47 significant decision points across 356.2 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 38.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 303.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,846 ft12 ft
Total Climb
2,170 ft
Total Descent
2,580 ft
Highest Point
1,846 ft
~203.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,833 ft
Notable High Points
1,846 ft at ~203.6 miles+568 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Rochester, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.
East Rochester is a village in suburban Rochester, in the Finger Lakes region of New York. While it's often overshadowed by the more picturesque villages around Rochester, it's a tight-knit community with few big chains and a lot of little gems waiting to be discovered.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 35m. Total distance: 356.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 35m 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 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $24.05 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 38.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 303.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Women's Rights National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.2 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.
