Irondequoit, NY to Sheepshead Bay, NY is 326.1 miles and takes about 7h 8m via I 81, Keystone Shortway, and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily traversing New York state. Given the duration and distance, it's a feasible single-day drive, but you'll want an early start. The route involves a mix of highway and surface roads, so be prepared for varying conditions as you approach your destination. Plan for about two stops to break up the drive.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
163 miles from Irondequoit, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
63.3 mi
1h 19m
New York State Thruway
30 mi
34m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Essex Freeway
15.8 mi
20m
Eastern Expressway
10.8 mi
13m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 196 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,211 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,106
Quietest
1 AM
~488 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.6×
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 Irondequoit, NY and Sheepshead Bay, NY.
1
Start on Cranbrooke Drive
38 ft·7 sec·Cranbrooke Drive
2
Turn left onto CR 118
0.2 mi·30 sec·North Kings Highway
3
Turn left onto CR 91
1.5 mi·2 min·Titus Avenue
4
Enter roundabout onto NY 590
17 ft·0 sec·Outer Loop
5
Continue on NY 590
4.5 mi·6 min·Outer Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward I 490 East, I 490 West: Victor, Downtown RochesterUse the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·43 sec
Toward I 490 East: VictorUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 490
11 mi·13 min·Eastern Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
10
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
13
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
14
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
16
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
18
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
19
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
20
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
21
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
22
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
23
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
24
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
25
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
26
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
27
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
28
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
30
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
32
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.
33
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.
34
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
35
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
36
Merge onto I 80
63 mi·1 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
38
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
40
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
43
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
44
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight lane.
45
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
46
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
47
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
48
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
49
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
50
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
51
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
52
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
53
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
54
Take the exit onto NY 27
1.5 mi·2 min·NY 27
Exit 24Toward NY 27 East: Prospect ExpresswayUse the slight left / straight lanes.
55
Take the exit onto NY 27
0.4 mi·47 sec·NY 27
Exit 5Toward NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical CenterUse the slight right lane.
56
Turn left onto NY 27
0.3 mi·45 sec·Caton Avenue
57
Turn right onto NY 27
2.7 mi·5 min·Coney Island Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
58
Turn left onto Avenue P
0.5 mi·1 min·Avenue P
Use the left lane.
59
Turn right onto Ocean Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Ocean Avenue
60
Turn left onto Avenue Y
0.3 mi·1 min·Avenue Y
Use the left lane.
61
Arrive at destination
Avenue Y
Trip Plan
Aim to depart from Irondequoit early in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour congestion as you near Sheepshead Bay. With a drive time of just over 7 hours, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day, but it’s wise to factor in your two planned stops for fuel and rest. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 98.8 miles on I 81, so plan your mid-drive break around that point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from the main highways to the more numerous surface roads near the end of your trip.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 163 miles from Irondequoit, NY, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 72 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163 miles or 3h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sheepshead Bay, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Irondequoit, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Irondequoit, NY
This is one driving day of about 326.1 miles and 7h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Irondequoit, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 98.8 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 46
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.2 and 316 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
6.2 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit toward I 490 East, I 490 West: Victor, Downtown Rochester
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 5
Toward I 490 East, I 490 West: Victor, Downtown...
8
48.4 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
198.7 mi into trip|~4h 15m 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
311 mi into trip|~6h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
8
316 mi into trip|~6h 47m in
Take the exit toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 2
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.08 one way
$114.16 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$61.86
$123.71
premium
$5.23
$67.15
$134.29
diesel
$6.28
$80.57
$161.15
Estimated Tolls: $17.64
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30 mi)$1.50
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.14
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
$57
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$100–$125
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.8
1
$34.24
$15.65
Efficient EV
81.5
0
$28.53
$13.04
EV Truck/SUV
130.4
1
$45.65
$20.87
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% 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 Oct 23, 2026
Origin
Irondequoit, NY
Late night
in Irondequoit on Saturday
Local time
3:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Clear
NE 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Sheepshead Bay, NY
Late night
in Sheepshead Bay on Saturday
Local time
3:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Clear
N 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
38°F
Barton, NY
163 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
8 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
7h 8m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
African Burial Ground National Monument
National Monument
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...
1 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 314.8
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 314.8
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 314.8
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 314.8
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 326.1
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 314.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 326.1-mile route features a 54% highway share. You'll experience a significant stretch of 98.8 miles on I 81, offering uninterrupted cruising. After the main highway segments, the profile shifts to mostly surface roads for the remainder of your trip, which will likely involve more frequent intersections and slower speeds. Expect to transition from open highway driving to more local traffic conditions as you get closer to Sheepshead Bay.
Only 54% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
61 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 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 46 significant decision points across 326.1 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 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,878 ft12 ft
Total Climb
2,282 ft
Total Descent
2,653 ft
Highest Point
1,878 ft
~228.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,865 ft
Notable High Points
1,878 ft at ~228.5 miles+743 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Irondequoit, NY and Sheepshead Bay, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, Newark and Cr 508 East: Jersey City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 8m. Total distance: 326.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $17.64 in tolls one way, starting with Holland Tunnel. 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 34 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 Sheepshead Bay, 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. There are 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sheepshead Bay, NY before the return drive.
