Origin
Huntington, NY
Late night in Huntington on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 38m
Distance
270.6 mi
436 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Huntington, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Horseheads, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Huntington to Horseheads is 270.6 miles and takes about 5h 38m via Christopher Columbus Highway and I-86, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York State, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll encounter a mix of highway driving and surface roads, making for a varied experience. Given the relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day drive, allowing for flexibility in your departure time.
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
135.3 miles from Huntington, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 68.2 mi | 1h 20m |
| I 86 | 59.2 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 81 | 58.1 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 380 | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| Northern Boulevard | 17.4 mi | 28m |
| Keystone Shortway | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Cross Island Parkway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Huntington, NY and Horseheads, NY.
Start on NY 110
Turn left onto NY 25A
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 25A
Continue on Lawrence Hill Road
Continue on Lawrence Hill Road
At end of road, turn left onto NY 25A
Take the ramp
Merge onto CI
Take the exit
Merge onto I 295
Continue on I 295
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
Take the exit
Continue on I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Take the exit
Continue on I 380
Merge onto I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto South Main Street
Arrive at destination
For this 5h 38m drive, consider an early morning departure from Huntington to maximize daylight. With only 270.6 miles, you can easily complete this trip in one day without feeling rushed. You might consider one stop for fuel and a break, perhaps around the halfway point or when you transition to I-81. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $45, and it's always wise to top off before entering longer stretches where services might be less frequent. The longest uninterrupted highway segment is 68.2 miles, so plan accordingly if you prefer more frequent breaks.
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.
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 60 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.3 miles or 2h 58m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Horseheads, NY than in the middle of the route.
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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Huntington, NY
This is one driving day of about 270.6 miles and 5h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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.
A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 135.3 miles from Huntington, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Christopher Columbus Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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.
Take the ramp toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
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
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
Regular Gas
$44.54 one way
$89.08 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $48.16 | $96.33 |
| premium | $4.92 | $52.45 | $104.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.75 | $119.49 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.83
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
$45
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.2 | 1 | $28.41 | $12.99 |
| Efficient EV | 67.7 | 0 | $23.68 | $10.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.2 | 1 | $37.88 | $17.32 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Huntington on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Horseheads on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
63°F
Ramapo, NY
135 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This route is 59% highway, meaning you'll spend a significant portion of your drive on the interstate. The longest continuous stretch on the Christopher Columbus Highway is 68.2 miles, offering a good period of uninterrupted travel. Expect a mix of high-speed cruising and potentially more stop-and-go traffic as you navigate denser exit areas. The profile indicates a blend of highway segments and surface roads, so be prepared for changes in speed limits and road conditions.
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 19.8 miles in.
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 23 significant decision points across 270.6 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.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
2,353 ft
Total Descent
1,526 ft
Highest Point
1,896 ft
~135.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,882 ft
Notable High Points
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Huntington, NY and Horseheads, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Hackensack.
Cross Island Parkway North
Bronx
New England
Upper Level
Njtp South: Hackensack
Hackensack
Founded 1653
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 38m. Total distance: 270.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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