Huntington, NY to Spencer, NY is 250.7 miles and takes about 5h 23m via Christopher Columbus Highway and I-81, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving as you make your way across the state. With only one recommended stop and a drive under six hours, this route is a solid option for a single-day trip if you're looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
125.3 miles from Huntington, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Christopher Columbus Highway
68.2 mi
1h 20m
I 81
58.1 mi
1h 9m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
I 86
21 mi
25m
Northern Boulevard
17.4 mi
28m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
State Highway 96
6.5 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Christopher Columbus Highway
— 68.2 mi, about 1h 20m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 336 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,190 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,979
Quietest
1 AM
~446 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Huntington, NY and Spencer, 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
21 mi·25 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·52 sec
Exit 64Toward NY 96: Owego
30
Turn left onto Lackawanna Avenue
0.3 mi·29 sec·Lackawanna Avenue
31
Turn right onto NY 434
0.2 mi·18 sec·Southside Drive
32
Turn right onto NY 96
0.3 mi·39 sec·Susquehanna River Bridge Road
33
Continue on Susquehanna River Bridge Road
81 ft·3 sec·Susquehanna River Bridge Road
34
Turn slight left onto NY 17C; NY 96
0.1 mi·21 sec·Court Street
35
Turn right onto NY 96
164 ft·10 sec·Main Street
36
Turn left onto NY 96
1.7 mi·3 min·North Avenue
37
Turn left onto NY 96
5.4 mi·7 min·State Highway 96
38
Continue on NY 96
2.3 mi·3 min·Owego Road
39
Continue on NY 96
0.4 mi·57 sec·Owego Street
40
Turn left onto NY 96
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
41
Turn left onto NY 96
0.1 mi·15 sec·Spencer Avenue
42
Continue on NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·Spencer Road
43
Continue on NY 96
2.4 mi·3 min·Candor Road
44
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 96
45
Continue on NY 96
0.3 mi·27 sec·Candor Road
46
Continue on NY 96
0.3 mi·45 sec·East Tioga Street
47
Arrive at destination
NY 34
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 23m drive, consider leaving Huntington, NY in the morning to give yourself ample daylight. The recommended single stop is well-placed to break up the 250.7-mile journey, but you can adjust this based on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between highway and surface roads; the estimated fuel cost is around $42. Given the manageable duration, you have flexibility in your pacing, but avoiding peak traffic times leaving the NYC metro area is advisable.
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 125.3 miles from Huntington, NY, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.2 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 55 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.3 miles or 2h 47m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spencer, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Huntington, NY
This is one driving day of about 250.7 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Huntington, 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 Christopher Columbus Highway for about 68.2 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 28
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
$43.88 one way
$87.76 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$47.55
$95.11
premium
$5.23
$51.62
$103.24
diesel
$6.28
$61.94
$123.89
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
$44
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: 87.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.2
0
$26.32
$12.03
Efficient EV
62.7
0
$21.94
$10.03
EV Truck/SUV
100.3
1
$35.10
$16.04
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Huntington, NY
Morning
in Huntington on Sunday
Local time
7:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Sunny
NE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Spencer, NY
Morning
in Spencer on Sunday
Local time
7:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
W 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive 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
6 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 23m 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.
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 34.6
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...
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 34.6
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 34.6
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 34.6
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 34.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is about 51% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster roads, but you'll also encounter surface streets. The longest stretch on a single road without significant changes is 68.2 miles on the Christopher Columbus Highway. You'll notice a shift from more developed highway sections to potentially more open cruising as you progress. Be prepared for varying exit densities depending on which section of the route you're on.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.2 mi on Christopher Columbus Highway.
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 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 28 significant decision points across 250.7 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,810 ft28 ft
Total Climb
2,287 ft
Total Descent
1,364 ft
Highest Point
1,810 ft
~143.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,782 ft
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 Spencer, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Hackensack.
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, NY
•Eatons Neck Light — lighthouse in New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 250.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68.2 miles on Christopher Columbus Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Spencer, 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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Spencer, NY before the return drive.
