Origin
Highland Mills, NY
Night in Highland Mills on Saturday
Local time
10:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Highland Mills, NY to Islip, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 6m
Distance
90.7 mi
146 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 58m
★
6 AM
2h 7m
8 AM
2h 25m
10 AM
2h 13m
12 PM
2h 11m
3 PM
2h 14m
5 PM
2h 24m
8 PM
2h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Highland Mills, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Islip, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 90.7-mile drive from Highland Mills, NY to Islip, NY will take approximately 2 hours and 6 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You'll primarily navigate via State Route 32 and I-87, with some time on the New York State Thruway. With a projected fuel cost of around $15, this route offers an economical journey within the Northeast region. The profile suggests a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for a less monotonous, more engaged experience behind the wheel. It's a straightforward trip that doesn't necessitate an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.4 miles from Highland Mills, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern State Parkway | 24.7 mi | 31m |
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| New York State Thruway | 13.7 mi | 15m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Clearview Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| State Route 32 | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| Throgs Neck Bridge | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Southern State Parkway
— 24.7 mi, about 31m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 13 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,026 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,234 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 21 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 Highland Mills, NY and Islip, NY.
1
Start on NY 32
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
State Route 32
2
Continue on NY 32
484 ft
·
15 sec
·
State Route 32
Toward NY 17 South
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Toward I 87, NYST
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York City
Use the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 87
14 mi
·
15 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
·
NY 17
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Use the slight right lane.
7
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
8
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi
·
18 min
·
NJ 17
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
11
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
NJ 4
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
16
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
18
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6B
Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
21
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
24
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Hempstead Avenue
26
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft
·
9 sec
·
225th Street
Use the right lane.
27
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
28
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 25A
Toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
30
Merge onto SO
25 mi
·
31 min
·
Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 41S
Toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore
Use the slight right lane.
33
Turn straight onto CR 57
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Bay Shore Road
34
Continue on CR 57
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Howells Road
35
Turn straight onto CR 57
341 ft
·
6 sec
·
Sunrise Highway
36
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Howells Road
Toward Howells Road South
Use the right lane.
37
Continue on CR 57
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Roosevelt Street
38
Continue on CR 57
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Avenue
39
At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
40
Continue on Montauk Highway
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Montauk Highway
41
Continue on NY 27A
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
42
Arrive at destination
NY 27A
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration and 90.7-mile distance, this trip is easily manageable in one day. Aim for an early morning departure to maximize your time at your destination and potentially avoid heavier local traffic. Since the route is described as turn-heavy, pay close attention to navigation and be prepared to adjust your speed frequently. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, budgeting is simple. There are no specified stops, so plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps after the first hour of driving to stretch your legs before continuing on State Route 32 and I-87.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.4 miles from Highland Mills, NY, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.7 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 20 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.4 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 42m
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 Highland Mills, 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 Highland Mills, NY
This is one driving day of about 90.7 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Highland Mills, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Southern State Parkway for about 24.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 45.4 miles from Highland Mills, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 17.5 and 86.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
17.5 mi into trip
|
~24m 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
18.9 mi into trip
|
~25m 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
8
48 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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
8
60.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 25A
Toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Lon...
9
86.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m 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
$14.74 one way
$29.48 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $15.95 | $31.91 |
| premium | $4.87 | $17.38 | $34.75 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $19.29 | $38.59 |
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
$15
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.52 | $4.35 |
| Efficient EV | 22.7 | 0 | $7.94 | $3.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.3 | 0 | $12.70 | $5.80 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Islip, NY
Night in Islip on Saturday
Local time
10:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Scattered Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy
NE 6 mph
33% chance
Live 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
5 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
2h 6m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 43.8
View on nps.gov
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
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 43.8
View on nps.gov
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
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 40.7
View on nps.gov
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 43.8
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument
National Monument
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 40.7
View on nps.gov
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 40.7
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 turn-heavy local drive for this 90.7-mile journey, with no highway share contributing to the overall experience. The route prioritizes local roads, meaning you'll likely encounter more frequent intersections and varied speed limits rather than long stretches of high-speed travel. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the "turn-heavy" profile indicates a dynamic driving experience that keeps you actively involved. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; instead, it's a more engaging route that flows through local environments.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.7 mi on Southern State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern State Parkway and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.5 miles in near NY 17.
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 25 significant decision points across 90.7 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 17.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.9 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Highland Mills, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York, Cross Island Parkway South, Southern State Parkway East and Eastern Long Island - among others.
Gsp South: Paterson
33 mi in
|
~44m
Fort Lee
33 mi in
|
~44m
New York
33 mi in
|
~44m
Cross Island Parkway South
59.4 mi in
|
~1h 22m
Southern State Parkway East
60.9 mi in
|
~1h 24m
Eastern Long Island
60.9 mi in
|
~1h 24m
Bay Shore Road South
86.1 mi in
|
~1h 57m
Bay Shore
86.1 mi in
|
~1h 57m
About the Cities
Starting in Highland Mills, NY
Full guide →Arriving in Islip, NY
Full guide →Founded 1683
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
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 2h 6m. Total distance: 90.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24.7 miles on Southern State Parkway. 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.9 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Islip, NY before heading back.
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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