Traveling from Horseheads to Babylon covers 279 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 42 minutes of road time. Because this route stays entirely within New York, you will remain in the Northeast region throughout your journey. With a manageable duration, this trip is perfectly feasible as a single-day push if you get an early start. Budgeting approximately $45 for fuel will keep you covered for the trip. Since the drive is highway-focused, it is straightforward and efficient for those looking to reach the coast from the Southern Tier without unnecessary 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
139.5 miles from Horseheads, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
Southern Tier Expressway
63.8 mi
1h 15m
I 81
53.4 mi
1h 3m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Southern State Parkway
18 mi
22m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Christopher Columbus Highway
5.5 mi
5m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 80 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Horseheads, NY and Babylon, NY.
1
Start on South Main Street
0.9 mi·1 min·South Main Street
2
Take the ramp onto NY 13
0.2 mi·28 sec·NY 13
3
Merge onto I 86; NY 17; NY 13
64 mi·1 hr 15 min·Southern Tier Expressway
4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
5
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.
6
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.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
9
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
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.
11
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.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
15
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
17
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
18
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
20
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
22
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
24
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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.
26
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
27
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
30
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
31
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
32
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
33
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
34
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
36
Merge onto SO
18 mi·22 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 33Toward NY 109 East: BabylonUse the slight right lane.
38
Turn slight right onto NY 109
3.5 mi·5 min·Farmingdale Road
Use the left lane.
39
Continue on NY 109
0.9 mi·1 min·Little East Neck Road North
40
Turn left onto NY 27A
0.5 mi·49 sec·West Main Street
41
Turn right onto South Carll Avenue
68 ft·2 sec·South Carll Avenue
42
Arrive at destination
South Carll Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the best time, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the nearly six-hour trek. Leaving Horseheads early in the morning helps you avoid potential congestion as you approach the more populated regions near Babylon. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge when navigating the 80-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, as this is your longest period away from services. Since this is a single-day trip, maintaining a steady pace is key to arriving at your destination before the end of the day without feeling overly fatigued.
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 139.5 miles from Horseheads, NY, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80 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 61 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.5 miles or 2h 44m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Babylon, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Horseheads, 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 Horseheads, NY
This is one driving day of about 279 miles and 5h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Horseheads, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 80 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 118.2 and 255.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
118.2 mi into trip|~2h 20m 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
232.8 mi into trip|~4h 36m 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
233.1 mi into trip|~4h 37m 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
242.5 mi into trip|~4h 51m 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
255.4 mi into trip|~5h 10m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.93 one way
$91.85 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$49.66
$99.32
premium
$4.92
$54.08
$108.15
diesel
$5.61
$61.60
$123.20
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
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.7
1
$29.29
$13.39
Efficient EV
69.8
0
$24.41
$11.16
EV Truck/SUV
111.6
1
$39.06
$17.86
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 15, 2026
Origin
Horseheads, NY
Morning
in Horseheads on Sunday
Local time
7:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Babylon, NY
Morning
in Babylon on Sunday
Local time
7:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Ramapo, NY
140 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
3 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 42m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by high-speed efficiency, as 64% of your travel occurs on major highways. You will primarily navigate via the Southern Tier Expressway, I-81, and the Keystone Shortway. The experience is centered on steady interstate cruising, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 80 miles along the Keystone Shortway. While the route is heavy on highway miles, the road profile remains consistent, allowing you to settle into a predictable rhythm behind the wheel.
64% 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: 80 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Keystone Shortway and Southern Tier Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 118.2 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 30 significant decision points across 279 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 118.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,904 ft7 ft
Total Climb
1,284 ft
Total Descent
2,175 ft
Highest Point
1,904 ft
~139.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,897 ft
Notable High Points
1,904 ft at ~139.5 miles+711 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Horseheads, NY and Babylon, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 42m. Total distance: 279 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80 miles on Keystone Shortway. 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.
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 Babylon, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 118.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Babylon, NY before the return drive.
