Spanning 260.8 miles across New York, this trip from Groton to Huntington typically takes about 5 hours and 33 minutes of pure drive time. Since the entire journey is designed as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate sprint, you should plan on a full day behind the wheel. Expect to budget approximately $42 for fuel to cover the distance. Because this route stays off the major interstates, it is best tackled in a single day, though you will certainly want to factor in at least one planned stop to break up the navigation. It is a straightforward trip within the Northeast, perfect if you prefer navigating local roads over the monotony of high-traffic highways.
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
130.4 miles from Groton, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
96.9 mi
1h 55m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Northern Boulevard
18.6 mi
31m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Christopher Columbus Highway
5.5 mi
5m
Cortland Road
5.2 mi
9m
I 84
3.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 96.9 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 336 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,190 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,979
Quietest
1 AM
~446 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Groton, NY and Huntington, NY.
1
Start on NY 38
0.2 mi·22 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto NY 222
0.7 mi·1 min·East Cortland Street
3
Continue on NY 222
5.2 mi·9 min·Cortland Road
4
Continue on NY 222
3.6 mi·5 min·State Highway 222
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on NY 222
1.0 mi·2 min·Groton Avenue
6
Continue on US 11; NY 41; NY 222
0.9 mi·2 min·Clinton Avenue
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 81 South
8
Merge onto I 81
44 mi·51 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
10
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.
11
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.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
14
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
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.
16
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.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
20
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
22
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
23
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
25
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
27
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
29
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
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.
31
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
32
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·2 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 5Toward NY 25A: Northern BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on Clearview Expressway
457 ft·17 sec·Clearview Expressway
36
Turn left onto NY 25A
19 mi·31 min·Northern Boulevard
Use the left lane.
37
Turn right onto NY 108
0.9 mi·1 min·Lawrence Hill Road
38
At end of road, turn right onto Lawrence Hill Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Lawrence Hill Road
39
Continue on NY 25A
0.4 mi·52 sec·Main Street
40
Turn right onto NY 110
0.2 mi·34 sec·New York Avenue
41
Arrive at destination
NY 110
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure early in the morning to account for the 5-hour and 33-minute travel time on local roads. Since the route is entirely non-highway, stay alert for shifting speed limits and frequent turns that can make your arrival time fluctuate. Budgeting your $42 for fuel is easier if you map out your single planned stop in advance, as local routes may have less predictable access to services than major interstates. Flexibility is your best asset here, so keep an eye on your navigation to ensure you remain on the correct path through the various local road transitions. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep your eyes peeled for road signage on Highway 222, as the lack of highway infrastructure means you will be relying on local markers throughout the trip.
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 130.4 miles from Groton, NY, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.9 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 57 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.4 miles or 2h 41m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Huntington, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Groton, 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 Groton, NY
This is one driving day of about 260.8 miles and 5h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Groton, 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 96.9 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 55.3 and 232.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
55.3 mi into trip|~1h 13m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
108.7 mi into trip|~2h 17m 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
223.2 mi into trip|~4h 32m 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
223.5 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
232.9 mi into trip|~4h 47m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.07 one way
$92.14 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$49.85
$99.70
premium
$5.28
$54.17
$108.34
diesel
$6.18
$63.44
$126.89
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
$46
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.2
0
$27.38
$12.52
Efficient EV
65.2
0
$22.82
$10.43
EV Truck/SUV
104.3
1
$36.51
$16.69
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Groton, NY
Evening
in Groton on Saturday
Local time
8:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Isolated Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
N 9 to 15 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:20AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:29AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Destination
Huntington, NY
Evening
in Huntington on Saturday
Local time
8:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
N 15 mph50% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:20AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:29AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
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
9 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
5h 33m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 224.8
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 224.8
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 224.8
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
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 224.8
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 224.8
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 224.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a hands-on driving experience, as this route consists entirely of local roads with a highway share of 0%. You will spend the day navigating through East Cortland Street, Cortland Road, and Highway 222, which keeps you engaged with frequent turns and changing landscapes. Unlike a standard interstate haul, this path offers a consistent, technical pace that requires your full attention at the wheel. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of highway, the journey maintains a steady rhythm that avoids the fatigue of repetitive high-speed cruising. It is an ideal choice for drivers who enjoy staying active on the road rather than setting cruise control for hours on end.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.9 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 55.3 miles in near I 81.
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 24 significant decision points across 260.8 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 55.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 223.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,900 ft10 ft
Total Climb
2,023 ft
Total Descent
2,951 ft
Highest Point
1,900 ft
~130.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,890 ft
Notable High Points
1,900 ft at ~130.4 miles+766 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Groton, NY and Huntington, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.
Huntington is a town in Suffolk County on Long Island, New York. It is on the North Shore (or Gold Coast) of the island, famous for its lavish estates along the Long Island Sound and its affluent residential communities. The town is large with a population of over 200,000, and many neighborhoods in town having their own distinct identities. Four villages in the town even have their own level of autonomy, with one of them, Northport, having its own article.
Top landmarks
•Oheka Castle — mansion in Huntington, New York, USA
•Vanderbilt Museum — museum in Suffolk County, NY
•Eatons Neck Light — lighthouse in New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 33m. Total distance: 260.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.9 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes — we found about 23 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 Huntington, 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 55.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 223.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange 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 5.6 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 Huntington, NY before the return drive.
