Spanning 408.9 miles across New York, this cross-state journey takes approximately 8 hours and 34 minutes of driving time. Because of the length, you should plan for a two-day trip to avoid fatigue behind the wheel. Budget around $67 for fuel to cover the distance between Elma Center and Islip. You will primarily utilize the Southern Tier Expressway, the Keystone Shortway, and I-81 to navigate the state. While it is technically possible to push through in one day, splitting the drive into two days allows for a more relaxed pace as you transition from the western side of the state toward the coast.
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
204.4 miles from Elma Center, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 18m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Elma Center, NY and Islip, NY.
1
Start on Woodard Road
98 ft·13 sec·Woodard Road
2
Turn left onto CR 242
1.7 mi·2 min·Bowen Road
3
Turn right onto Jamison Road
0.3 mi·34 sec·Jamison Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
5
Merge onto NY 400
3.8 mi·4 min·Aurora Expressway
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 20A, NY 78: East Aurora
7
Turn left onto US 20A; NY 78
0.1 mi·12 sec·Main Street
8
Continue on US 20A; NY 78
11 mi·15 min·Big Tree Road
9
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Varysburg Road
10
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Road
11
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi·8 min·West Buffalo Street
12
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi·10 min·Perry Center Road
13
Continue on CR 64
2.3 mi·3 min·Perry Road
14
Turn right onto NY 36
1.3 mi·1 min·Mount Morris Road
15
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi·4 min·North Main Street
16
Continue on NY 36
4.1 mi·7 min·Sonyea Road
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
18
Merge onto I 390
33 mi·37 min·Genesee Expressway
19
Merge onto I 86
105 mi·2 hr 2 min·Southern Tier Expressway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
21
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.
22
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.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
24
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
25
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
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.
27
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.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
29
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
31
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
33
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
34
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
36
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
38
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
40
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
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.
42
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
43
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
46
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
47
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
48
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
49
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
50
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
52
Merge onto SO
25 mi·31 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
53
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
54
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 41SToward Bay Shore Road South, Bay ShoreUse the slight right lane.
55
Turn straight onto CR 57
0.5 mi·1 min·Bay Shore Road
56
Continue on CR 57
0.3 mi·43 sec·Howells Road
57
Turn straight onto CR 57
341 ft·6 sec·Sunrise Highway
58
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57
0.6 mi·1 min·Howells Road
Toward Howells Road SouthUse the right lane.
59
Continue on CR 57
0.2 mi·24 sec·Roosevelt Street
60
Continue on CR 57
0.7 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue
61
At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A
1.1 mi·1 min·East Main Street
62
Continue on Montauk Highway
0.2 mi·17 sec·Montauk Highway
63
Continue on NY 27A
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
64
Arrive at destination
NY 27A
Trip Plan
To manage the 408.9-mile distance effectively, plan on making at least two stops to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route requires over eight hours of active driving, try to stagger these breaks evenly to keep your energy levels consistent. Depart early in the morning to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach your destination in Islip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during that long 104.5-mile stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway, as service areas can sometimes be spaced out. Taking this trip over two days is the best way to handle the duration without feeling rushed.
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 204.4 miles from Elma Center, NY, or about 4h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 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 90 miles or 2h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 204.4 miles or 4h 18m 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 204.4 miles or 4h 18m
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 10m
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 Elma Center, 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 Elma Center, NY
Aim for roughly 204 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Islip, NY
Aim for roughly 204 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Elma Center, 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 104.5 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 37
5 decision points cluster between mile 241.8 and 404.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
241.8 mi into trip|~5h 3m 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
356.4 mi into trip|~7h 19m 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
356.7 mi into trip|~7h 19m 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
8
366.1 mi into trip|~7h 33m 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
9
404.3 mi into trip|~8h 25m 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
$67.31 one way
$134.62 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg143 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$72.78
$145.56
premium
$4.92
$79.25
$158.51
diesel
$5.61
$90.28
$180.56
Estimated Tolls: $22.55
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
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
$67
Tolls
$23
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$220–$330
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 143.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
122.7
1
$42.93
$19.63
Efficient EV
102.2
1
$35.78
$16.36
EV Truck/SUV
163.6
2
$57.25
$26.17
Gas CO2
143 kg
EV CO2
48 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 12, 2026
Origin
Elma Center, NY
Late night
in Elma Center on Sunday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
32°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 2:05PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 4:31AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Islip, NY
Late night
in Islip on Sunday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Clear
N 2 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 2:05PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 4:31AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
49°F
Ramapo, NY
204 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
6 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
8h 34m 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.
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 366.6
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 366.6
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 408.9
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 366.6
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 366.6
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 366.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 64% of your journey takes place on high-speed interstates. The road offers a consistent rhythm, punctuated by a significant 104.5-mile stretch along the Southern Tier Expressway that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip. As you move between these major arteries, the character of the road stays relatively steady, favoring efficiency and speed over technical local maneuvering. You will spend the vast majority of your time maintaining highway speeds, making this a straightforward drive for those comfortable with interstate travel.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
64 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.5 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 241.8 miles in near US 6.
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 37 significant decision points across 408.9 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 241.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 356.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 356.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Elma Center, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level - among others.
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
The longest stretch is about 104.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. 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 204 miles on day one.
Expect about $22.55 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 241.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 356.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 356.7 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 Fire Island National Seashore (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.6 hours each way, a round trip means 17.2 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.
