Hudson, NY to Babylon, NY is 157.8 miles and takes about 3h 23m via New York State Thruway, Southern State Parkway, and NJ 17, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York State, moving from the Northeast region of the state down towards Long Island. Expect a fairly direct drive that's manageable for a single day, making it a convenient option for getting to your destination without needing an overnight stop. The majority of the journey is on major parkways and the Thruway, so plan for steady progress.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78.9 miles from Hudson, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
83.1 mi
1h 35m
Southern State Parkway
18 mi
22m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Farmingdale Road
3.5 mi
5m
Rhinebeck-Hudson Road
2.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 83.1 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hudson, NY and Babylon, NY.
1
Start on Warren Street
82 ft·11 sec·Warren Street
2
Turn left onto NY 9G; NY 23B
0.8 mi·2 min·South 3rd Street
3
Continue on NY 9G; NY 23B
2.0 mi·2 min·Rhinebeck-Hudson Road
4
Take the ramp
341 ft·6 sec
Toward NY 9G, NY 23 West
5
Merge onto NY 9G; NY 23
0.4 mi·33 sec·Rhinebeck-Hudson Road
Use the right lane.
6
Enter roundabout onto NY 23
10 ft·0 sec·Rip Van Winkle Bridge
Toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill
7
Continue on NY 23
1.3 mi·2 min·Rip Van Winkle Bridge
Toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill
8
Continue on NY 23
1.8 mi·2 min·State Highway 23
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward NYST, I 87: Jefferson Heights, Leeds
10
Turn right onto CR 23B
0.3 mi·44 sec·CR 23B
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward NYST, I 87
12
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·28 sec·this road
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 South: NY City
14
Merge onto I 87
83 mi·1 hr 35 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
17
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.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
20
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
25
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
27
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
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.
29
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
30
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
33
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
34
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
35
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
36
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
37
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
39
Merge onto SO
18 mi·22 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 33Toward NY 109 East: BabylonUse the slight right lane.
41
Turn slight right onto NY 109
3.5 mi·5 min·Farmingdale Road
Use the left lane.
42
Continue on NY 109
0.9 mi·1 min·Little East Neck Road North
43
Turn left onto NY 27A
0.5 mi·49 sec·West Main Street
44
Turn right onto South Carll Avenue
68 ft·2 sec·South Carll Avenue
45
Arrive at destination
South Carll Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 23m estimated drive time, leaving Hudson in the morning should allow you to reach Babylon with plenty of daylight. This is a single-day trip, so you have the flexibility to make brief stops as needed without pressure. Keep an eye on your fuel level, especially before entering longer stretches like the 83.1-mile segment on the New York State Thruway, to avoid any unexpected delays. While the route is relatively short, checking traffic conditions on the Southern State Parkway before you depart can help you avoid potential slowdowns, particularly during peak hours.
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 78.9 miles from Hudson, NY, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.1 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 35 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.9 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 42m
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 Hudson, 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 Hudson, NY
This is one driving day of about 157.8 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Hudson, 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 New York State Thruway for about 83.1 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 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 90.9 and 152.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
90.9 mi into trip|~1h 50m 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
92.3 mi into trip|~1h 51m 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
121.3 mi into trip|~2h 31m 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
134.3 mi into trip|~2h 50m 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...
7
152.7 mi into trip|~3h 14m in
Take the exit toward NY 109 East: Babylon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 33
Toward NY 109 East: Babylon
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.97 one way
$51.95 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$28.09
$56.17
premium
$4.92
$30.58
$61.17
diesel
$5.61
$34.84
$69.68
Estimated Tolls: $26.71
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(83.1 mi)$4.16
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
$26
Tolls
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.3
0
$16.57
$7.57
Efficient EV
39.5
0
$13.81
$6.31
EV Truck/SUV
63.1
0
$22.09
$10.10
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Hudson, NY
Late night
in Hudson on Sunday
Local time
3:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Babylon, NY
Late night
in Babylon on Sunday
Local time
3:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
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
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
3h 23m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 114.3
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 114.3
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 114.3
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 114.3
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 114.3
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 114.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 37% of the route on highways. You'll encounter stretches of the New York State Thruway, which provides a straightforward, high-speed experience for covering significant ground. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 83.1 miles on the New York State Thruway, allowing for consistent travel. As you transition to roads like the Southern State Parkway and NJ 17, the character may shift slightly, but the overall feel remains geared towards efficient travel. Be prepared for a blend of faster-paced highway driving and parkway cruising.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.1 mi on New York State Thruway.
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 90.9 miles in near NY 17.
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 31 significant decision points across 157.8 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 90.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.3 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.
Between Hudson, NY and Babylon, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York, Cross Island Parkway South, Southern State Parkway East and Eastern Long Island.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 157.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.1 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $26.71 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 90.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.3 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Babylon, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
