Traveling from Hartwick to Islip covers 228.3 miles across the Northeast, a journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 24 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a straightforward trek, it functions perfectly as a one-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. You should budget approximately $37 for fuel to complete the transit. While the drive is manageable in a single push, keep in mind that the route relies entirely on local roads rather than high-speed interstates. This helps you decide if you are looking for a direct commute or a more engaged, hands-on driving experience.
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
112.1 miles from Hartwick, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
70.1 mi
1h 23m
Southern State Parkway
24.7 mi
31m
State Highway 205
14.1 mi
19m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
State Highway 206
13.7 mi
24m
New York State Thruway
13.7 mi
15m
Franklin-Walton Road
9 mi
12m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 70.1 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hartwick, NY and Islip, NY.
1
Start on NY 205
14 mi·19 min·State Highway 205
2
Continue on NY 205; NY 23
2.3 mi·3 min·State Highway 23
3
Continue on CR 48A
0.2 mi·31 sec·County Highway 48A
4
Continue on CR 48
1.2 mi·3 min·County Highway 48
5
At end of road, turn right onto NY 28
4.2 mi·5 min·State Highway 28
6
Continue on NY 357
6.4 mi·10 min·NY 357
7
Turn slight left onto CR 21
9.0 mi·12 min·Franklin-Walton Road
8
Continue on CR 21
3.6 mi·4 min·West Brook Road
9
Continue on CR 21
0.1 mi·20 sec·Franklin Road
10
Turn right onto CR 21
0.9 mi·2 min·Townsend Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto NY 10; NY 206
242 ft·8 sec·Delaware Street
12
Turn right onto NY 206
0.1 mi·18 sec·Bridge Street
Use the right lane.
13
At end of road, turn left onto NY 206
0.9 mi·1 min·Stockton Avenue
14
Continue on NY 206
9.0 mi·16 min·State Highway 206
15
Continue on NY 30; NY 206
0.3 mi·47 sec·Bridge Street
16
Continue on NY 30; NY 206
2.8 mi·4 min·State Highway 30
17
Turn right onto NY 206; CR 7
4.6 mi·8 min·Cat Hollow Road
18
Continue on NY 206; CR 7
4.7 mi·8 min·State Highway 206
19
Continue on NY 206; CR 91
1.6 mi·2 min·Rockland Road
20
Continue on NY 206; CR 179
0.3 mi·33 sec·Old Route 17
21
Turn right onto CR 124
0.2 mi·21 sec·Stewart Avenue
22
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward NY 17 East: New York CityUse the left lane.
23
Merge onto NY 17
69 mi·1 hr 22 min·NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·59 sec
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York CityUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York CityUse the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto I 87
14 mi·15 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
28
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
29
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
32
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
33
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
35
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
37
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
39
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
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.
41
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
42
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
45
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
46
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
47
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
48
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
49
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
51
Merge onto SO
25 mi·31 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
53
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 41SToward Bay Shore Road South, Bay ShoreUse the slight right lane.
54
Turn straight onto CR 57
0.5 mi·1 min·Bay Shore Road
55
Continue on CR 57
0.3 mi·43 sec·Howells Road
56
Turn straight onto CR 57
341 ft·6 sec·Sunrise Highway
57
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57
0.6 mi·1 min·Howells Road
Toward Howells Road SouthUse the right lane.
58
Continue on CR 57
0.2 mi·24 sec·Roosevelt Street
59
Continue on CR 57
0.7 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue
60
At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A
1.1 mi·1 min·East Main Street
61
Continue on Montauk Highway
0.2 mi·17 sec·Montauk Highway
62
Continue on NY 27A
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
63
Arrive at destination
NY 27A
Trip Plan
Since you have one planned stop along the way, use that time to break up the technical driving and stretch your legs before hitting the final stretch. Planning your departure early in the day is wise, as the local road nature of the route can make travel times fluctuate depending on traffic density. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $37 estimate assumes steady driving, and frequent turns may impact your vehicle's efficiency. Because this trip is a single-day commitment, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected congestion on Highway 205 or Highway 23. Always verify your navigation before leaving Hartwick, as staying alert for the specific turns on Highway 48A will be key to a smooth arrival in Islip.
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 112.1 miles from Hartwick, NY, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.1 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 49 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.1 miles or 2h 40m 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 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 Hartwick, 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 Hartwick, NY
This is one driving day of about 224.3 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Hartwick, 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 NY 17 for about 70.1 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 33
5 decision points cluster between mile 66.4 and 219.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
66.4 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Take the ramp toward NY 17 East: New York City
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward NY 17 East: New York City
8
135.8 mi into trip|~3h 8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
9
151 mi into trip|~3h 27m in|NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
152.4 mi into trip|~3h 28m in|NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
9
219.6 mi into trip|~5h 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
$36.92 one way
$73.84 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$39.92
$79.85
premium
$4.92
$43.47
$86.95
diesel
$5.61
$49.52
$99.05
Estimated Tolls: $23.23
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(13.7 mi)$0.68
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
$37
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.3
0
$23.55
$10.77
Efficient EV
56.1
0
$19.63
$8.97
EV Truck/SUV
89.7
1
$31.40
$14.36
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% 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 Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Hartwick, NY
Morning
in Hartwick on Sunday
Local time
10:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Rain Showers
SW 9 to 13 mph86% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 1:15PM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
Destination
Islip, NY
Morning
in Islip on Sunday
Local time
10:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Ramapo, NY
112 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
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 9m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 177.9
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 177.9
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 177.9
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 177.9
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 177.9
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 177.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you alert from start to finish. You will navigate using Highway 205, Highway 23, and Highway 48A, as this route features a 0% highway share. Because you are avoiding major interstates entirely, the road's personality is defined by constant maneuvering rather than long, monotonous stretches of straight pavement. The feel behind the wheel is technical and requires your full attention as you transition between these regional connectors. This is not a route for cruise control; it is a winding journey that demands active steering throughout the entire 228.3-mile distance.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
63 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.1 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and Southern State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 66.4 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 33 significant decision points across 224.3 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 66.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 135.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151 miles (NY 17): 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 Hartwick, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany, New York City, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Cross Island Parkway South - 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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 224.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.1 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.23 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 7 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 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 66.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 135.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151 miles (NY 17): 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 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 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.
