Spanning 392.4 miles across New York, this drive takes approximately 8 hours and 18 minutes to complete. While technically possible to push through in a single day, breaking the journey into two days is highly recommended to keep the experience manageable. You will navigate primarily via I-86, the Christopher Columbus Highway, and I-81, making it a highway-focused transit. Budgeting about $64 for fuel should cover your primary travel costs for the trip. Since both your start and end points are located within the Northeast, you can expect consistent regional infrastructure throughout the journey.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
196.2 miles from Huntington, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
100 mi
1h 56m
Christopher Columbus Highway
68.2 mi
1h 20m
I 81
58.1 mi
1h 9m
Genesee Expressway
38.6 mi
44m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Northern Boulevard
17.4 mi
28m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
NY 63
11.7 mi
20m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 100 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Huntington, NY and Alabama, NY.
1
Start on NY 110
0.2 mi·42 sec·New York Avenue
2
Turn left onto NY 25A
0.4 mi·44 sec·Main Street
Use the left lane.
3
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 25A
267 ft·6 sec·Main Street
4
Continue on Lawrence Hill Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Lawrence Hill Road
5
Continue on Lawrence Hill Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Lawrence Hill Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto NY 25A
17 mi·28 min·Northern Boulevard
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the right lane.
8
Merge onto CI
2.3 mi·3 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 33Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New EnglandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
11
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi·8 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
14
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
15
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi·39 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 69Toward I 80 West: Paterson, HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 80
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
25
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
26
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
27
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
39 mi·44 min·Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
30
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 7Toward NY 408, NY 63: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
31
Turn right onto NY 408
0.1 mi·10 sec·Mount Morris-Geneseo Road
32
Continue on NY 63
3.3 mi·4 min·Geneseo-Mount Morris Road
33
Turn left onto NY 63
1.3 mi·1 min·Genesee Street
34
Enter roundabout onto NY 63
100 ft·1 sec·Genesee Street
35
Continue on NY 63
7.5 mi·11 min·Genesee Street
36
Continue on NY 63
0.7 mi·54 sec·State Highway 63
37
Continue on NY 63
4.1 mi·6 min·Big Tree Road
38
Continue on NY 63
10 mi·15 min·Ellicott Street Road
39
Turn right onto Cedar Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Cedar Street
40
Turn left onto NY 5
2.3 mi·4 min·East Main Street
41
Turn slight right onto NY 63
12 mi·20 min·NY 63
42
Turn right onto NY 63; NY 77
1.5 mi·2 min·Alleghany Road
43
Turn right onto Lewiston Road
31 ft·0 sec·Lewiston Road
44
Arrive at destination
Lewiston Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 8-hour drive, plan for at least two deliberate stops to break up the monotony of the highway stretches. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential congestion, especially when moving between major transit corridors. Because the route is highway-heavy, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 100-mile stretch on I-86 where services may be more spread out. If you decide to split the trip over two days, look for lodging options near the midpoint of the route to ensure a balanced driving schedule. Flexibility is key here; don't hesitate to pull over if fatigue sets in, as the interstate environment requires constant alertness.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 196.2 miles from Huntington, NY, or about 4h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 86 miles or 1h 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 196.2 miles or 4h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 196.2 miles or 4h 9m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alabama, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Huntington, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Huntington, NY
Aim for roughly 196 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Alabama, NY
Aim for roughly 196 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Huntington, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 86 for about 100 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.8 and 37.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
19.8 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the ramp toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone B...
8
22.3 mi into trip|~37m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx,...
8
34.5 mi into trip|~55m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
34.7 mi into trip|~55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
37.1 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 69
Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.59 one way
$129.18 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg137 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$69.84
$139.69
premium
$4.92
$76.05
$152.11
diesel
$5.61
$86.64
$173.27
Estimated Tolls: $22.83
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New Jersey Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.28
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
$65
Tolls
$23
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$217–$327
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117.7
1
$41.20
$18.84
Efficient EV
98.1
1
$34.33
$15.70
EV Truck/SUV
157
1
$54.94
$25.11
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 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
Huntington, NY
Night
in Huntington on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alabama, NY
Night
in Alabama on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Ramapo, NY
196 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 18m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its focus on efficiency, with 64% of the route consisting of highway driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on major interstates, including a 100-mile longest stretch on I-86 that allows you to maintain steady momentum. The personality of the road is functional and direct, favoring speed and interstate connectivity over winding local backroads. Expect the landscape to shift as you transition from the coastal environment of Huntington toward the interior regions near Alabama. It is a straightforward, high-speed experience designed to get you to your destination with minimal detours.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100 mi on I 86.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and Christopher Columbus Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.8 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 29 significant decision points across 392.4 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 19.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Huntington, NY and Alabama, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Hackensack - among others.
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, N.Y.
•Eatons Neck Light — lighthouse in New York, United States
Alabama is a state in the Southern United States. Alabama is known for its civil rights history and scenic beauty, and has a lot to offer those who enjoy the great outdoors, from Gulf Coast beaches to 40 National and stare parks.
The longest stretch is about 100 miles on I 86. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 196 miles on day one.
Expect about $22.83 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 Alabama, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.3 hours each way, a round trip means 16.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alabama, NY before the return drive.
