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Trip from Islip, NY to Ashford, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

8h 26m

Distance

408.3 mi

657 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$67

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
8h 19m ★
6 AM
8h 27m
8 AM
8h 42m
10 AM
8h 32m
12 PM
8h 31m
3 PM
8h 33m
5 PM
8h 41m
8 PM
8h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in Suffolk County, New York, United States

Islip, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Ashford, NY, NY

Ashford, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

This 408.3-mile journey from Islip, NY to Ashford, NY is an extensive undertaking, estimated to take 8 hours and 26 minutes of driving time. Given its duration and the nature of the roads, it's best split over two days, with an estimated fuel cost of $66. You'll be navigating local routes like Montauk Highway, Main Street, and 3rd Avenue for the entire trip, as this drive features no highway mileage. The route stays within the Northeast region, offering a consistent local driving experience. It's a good option if you prefer a more intimate connection with the landscape rather than high-speed travel.

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

204.1 miles from Islip, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 15m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 86 100 mi 1h 56m
Christopher Columbus Highway 68.2 mi 1h 20m
Southern Tier Expressway 60.6 mi 1h 10m
I 81 58.1 mi 1h 9m
I 380 27.7 mi 30m
Southern State Parkway 24.7 mi 31m
Keystone Shortway 17.3 mi 24m
Main Street 7.6 mi 11m
Longest stretch: I 86 — 100 mi, about 1h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Islip, NY and Ashford, NY.

1

Start on NY 27A

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
2

Continue on Montauk Highway

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Montauk Highway
3

Continue on NY 27A

1.1 mi · 1 min · Main Street
4

Turn right onto 3rd Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue
5

Continue on CR 57

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Rossevelt Street
6

Continue on CR 57

0.7 mi · 1 min · Howells Road
Use the left lane.
7

Turn straight onto Sunrise Highway

163 ft · 3 sec · Sunrise Highway
8

Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Howells Road
Toward Howells Road, Deer Park Use the right lane.
9

Continue on CR 57

0.6 mi · 1 min · Bay Shore Road
10

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward SO West: New York
11

Continue on this road

363 ft · 8 sec · this road
12

Merge onto SO

25 mi · 31 min · Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge Use the slight right lane.
14

Merge onto CI

1.3 mi · 1 min · Cross Island Parkway
15

Take the exit

317 ft · 9 sec
Exit 26B Toward NY 24: UBS Arena-Belmont Park Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork

437 ft · 12 sec
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West
18

Keep slight right at fork

266 ft · 8 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue West Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 13 sec · this road
Toward Grandstand, Hempstead Avenue West
20

Keep slight left at fork

100 ft · 4 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue
21

Turn right onto NY 24

1.0 mi · 2 min · Hempstead Avenue
Use the right lane.
22

Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Jamaica Avenue
23

Turn right onto NY 24

0.7 mi · 1 min · 212th Street
24

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway
Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck Bridge Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
26

Continue on I 295

0.7 mi · 1 min · Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight left at fork onto I 295

6.6 mi · 8 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
29

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.6 mi · 59 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
30

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
31

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.
32

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 95 EXPR; NJTP
33

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
35

Merge onto I 95; NJTP

2.0 mi · 2 min · New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 69 Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37

Continue on I 80

68 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway
40

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec
Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton
41

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380
Use the straight lane.
42

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81
Use the straight lane.
43

Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17

100 mi · 1 hr 56 min · I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
44

Keep slight right at fork onto I 86; NY 17

61 mi · 1 hr 10 min · Southern Tier Expressway
Toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Erie
45

Turn sharp right onto NY 16

1.3 mi · 1 min · State Highway 16
46

Continue on NY 16

5.8 mi · 8 min · Main Street
47

Continue on NY 16

5.2 mi · 7 min · State Highway 16
48

Continue on NY 16; NY 98

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
49

Turn left onto Elm Street

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Elm Street
50

Continue on CR 17

4.7 mi · 11 min · Bakerstand Road
51

Turn left onto NY 242

4.0 mi · 7 min · State Highway 242
52

Arrive at destination

NY 242

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 8-hour and 26-minute drive, plan for an overnight stop, as the recommended duration is two days. With two stops suggested along the way, you can break up the journey comfortably. Departing early in the morning will help you maximize daylight hours for navigation on these local roads. Given the 408.3 miles and the focus on local routes, be mindful of fuel stops, as they might be less frequent or require more planning than on major highways. The estimated fuel cost is $66, so factor that into your budget. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to posted speed limits on Main Street and 3rd Avenue, as they are often strictly enforced in populated areas.

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 204.1 miles from Islip, NY, or about 4h 15m 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 90 miles or 1h 58m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 204.1 miles or 4h 15m 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 204.1 miles or 4h 15m

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 7h 4m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ashford, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Islip, 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 Islip, NY

Aim for roughly 204 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Ashford, NY

Aim for roughly 204 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Islip, 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.

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Ramapo, NY

204 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Ramapo, NY

Overnight Options

Night 1

Ramapo, NY

204 mi · about 4.2h in

A practical overnight split lands near Ramapo, NY after about 204 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 90 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ithaca, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 204.1 miles from Islip, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 204 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Sage Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fair Lawn, New Jersey

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 58.3

Hours: 4–9 pm

+12017970500

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Paramus, New Jersey

2.2 mi

Crabtree's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Floral Park, New York

3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hackensack, New Jersey

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 58.3

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Sage Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 58.3

Fair Lawn, New Jersey

Hours: 4–9 pm

+12017970500

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 58.3

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12014871088

Visit website

Crabtree's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 29.2

Floral Park, New York

Hours: 12–10 pm

+15163267769

Visit website

Shogun Japan Japanese restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately mile 29.2

Hollis, New York

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13322041966

Visit website

Luigi's Restaurant And Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour Moderately mile 29.2

Queens, New York

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+17183477136

Visit website

Honey Day Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 58.3

Glen Rock, New Jersey

Hours: 8:30 am–3 pm

+12013893535

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 58.3

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 58.3

South Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12014265898

Visit website

EVolve NY Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 320.8

Bath, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19142874200

Visit website

PISO EV Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 320.8

Bath, New York

+18332172197

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 87.5

Dover, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 262.4

Waverly, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 233.3

Vestal, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 291.6

Elmira, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

IONNA Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 175

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18334662474

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 262.4

Sayre, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

iFLY Indoor Skydiving- Paramus

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 58.3

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–8:30 pm

+12017334359

Visit website

Posh Princess Palace

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 58.3

Lodi, New Jersey

Hours: 1–7 pm

+18628997674

Visit website

Catch Air Paramus

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 58.3

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12016202125

Visit website

Shooting Zone

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 58.3

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 12–9 pm

+12014401329

Visit website

Bowler City

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 58.3

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+12013433545

Visit website

Ready to Golf

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 58.3

River Edge, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+16093887728

Visit website

Catch Air Hasbrouck

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 58.3

Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12017132156

Visit website

Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc.

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 58.3

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12019680808

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 32

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.6 and 50.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
3.6 mi into trip | ~6m in | CR 57 / Howells Road

Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57 / Howells Road toward Howells Road, Deer Park

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward Howells Road, Deer Park
8
31.1 mi into trip | ~43m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
8
31.2 mi into trip | ~43m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Hempstead Avenue West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward Hempstead Avenue West
8
50 mi into trip | ~1h 10m 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
50.3 mi into trip | ~1h 11m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$67.21 one way

$134.42 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 143 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $72.67 $145.35
premium $4.92 $79.14 $158.27
diesel $5.61 $90.15 $180.29

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

$67

Tolls

$23

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$220–$330

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 142.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 122.5 1 $42.87 $19.60
Efficient EV 102.1 1 $35.73 $16.33
EV Truck/SUV 163.3 2 $57.16 $26.13

Gas CO2

143 kg

EV CO2

48 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

Islip, NY

Late night in Islip on Sunday

Local time

12:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ashford, NY

Late night in Ashford on Sunday

Local time

12:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Ramapo, NY

204 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

13 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

8h 26m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour Free near mile 42.2
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 42.2
View on nps.gov
Fire Island National Seashore

Fire Island National Seashore

National Seashore

Immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife, Fire Island has been a special...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 56.3
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

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...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour Free near mile 56.3
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

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...

12 mi from route ~31 min detour Free near mile 56.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for the entirety of this 408.3-mile route, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be constantly engaging with local roads, making frequent turns and adjustments. There isn't a 'longest stretch' noted, suggesting a continuous series of smaller roads rather than long, uninterrupted segments. The character of the drive will likely involve navigating through towns and along local thoroughfares, requiring consistent attention to speed limits and traffic signals. This kind of driving offers a close-up view of the communities you pass through.

73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
52 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 3.6 miles in near CR 57 / Howells Road.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 32 significant decision points across 408.3 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 3.6 miles (CR 57 / Howells Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles: 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 Islip, NY and Ashford, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Hackensack.

Cross Island Parkway North

29.4 mi in | ~40m

Hempstead Avenue West

31.1 mi in | ~43m

Grandstand

31.3 mi in | ~43m

Upper Level

47.5 mi in | ~1h 6m | via I 95; US 1

Njtp South: Hackensack

50 mi in | ~1h 10m

Hackensack

52.6 mi in | ~1h 14m

About the Cities

Starting in Islip, NY

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Founded 1683

Islip (pronounced "ICE-lip") is a town on Long Island in the state of New York. Located within Suffolk County, the Town of Islip includes the villages of Brightwaters, Islandia, Ocean Beach and Saltaire. It also includes numerous hamlets including Bay Shore and Sayville which are ferry terminals for Fire Island. Other prominent communities are Bayport, Brentwood, Central Islip, Hauppauge, Islip village (the town seat), and Ronkonkoma.

Top landmarks

  • • Bayport Aerodrome — airport in Suffolk County, New York, United States
  • • Connetquot River State Park Preserve — state park in New York
  • • Modesty — oyster-dredging sloop built in Long Island

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Frequently Asked Questions

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 204 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 Ashford, 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 3.6 miles (CR 57 / Howells Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Fire Island National Seashore (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 8.4 hours each way, a round trip means 16.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ashford, NY before the return drive.

How this page is built

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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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