Broome Gateway Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Islip, NY to Brighton, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 54m
Distance
423 mi
681 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$75
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 47m
★
6 AM
8h 55m
8 AM
9h 11m
10 AM
9h 1m
12 PM
8h 59m
3 PM
9h 1m
5 PM
9h 10m
8 PM
8h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Islip, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Brighton, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Islip, NY to Brighton, NY is 423 miles and takes about 8h 54m via New York State Thruway and I 81, with a fuel budget near $75 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York State, connecting the Northeast region to itself. Given the 8h 54m duration, this route is best split over two days, especially with two recommended stops. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface roads, so keep that in mind for your planning.
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
211.5 miles from Islip, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 99.6 mi | 1h 55m |
| I 81 | 97.3 mi | 1h 55m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 68.2 mi | 1h 20m |
| I 380 | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| Southern State Parkway | 24.7 mi | 31m |
| Keystone Shortway | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| Clinton Street | 10.5 mi | 15m |
| East Lake Road | 9.9 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 168 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,210 veh/hr typical · worst 4,900
Quietest
1 AM
~430 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Islip, NY and Brighton, 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 right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
44
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi
·
43 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
45
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 52
Toward NY 13: Cortland
46
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft
·
5 sec
·
Clinton Avenue
47
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Locust Avenue
48
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Albany Street
49
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
50
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi
·
15 min
·
Clinton Street
51
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Lake Road
52
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 41
53
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi
·
13 min
·
East Lake Road
54
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
East Lake Street
55
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi
·
13 min
·
East Genesee Street
56
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
North Fulton Street
57
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Arterial West
58
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Chase Street
Use the left lane.
59
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Auburn Road
60
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
NY 318
61
Continue on NY 318
319 ft
·
10 sec
·
NY 318
Use the right lane.
62
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
State Route 414
Use the right lane.
63
Continue on NY 414
217 ft
·
11 sec
·
Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
64
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Use the left lane.
65
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
Use the straight / right lanes.
66
Merge onto I 90
100 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
New York State Thruway
67
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 50
Toward I 290: Niagara Falls
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
68
Continue on I 290
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Youngmann Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
69
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 5B
Toward NY 263 North: Millersport Highway North
Use the slight right lane.
70
Turn straight onto NY 263
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Millersport Highway
71
Turn left onto Flint Road
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Flint Road
Use the left lane.
72
Turn left onto Maple Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Maple Road
Use the left lane.
73
Continue on Brighton Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Brighton Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
74
Arrive at destination
Brighton Road
Trip Plan
With an estimated 8h 54m of driving time, this route is best tackled over two days, making two stops a good pace. Consider leaving early in the morning to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to drive a significant portion on your first day. The fuel cost is estimated at $75, so budget accordingly. Pay attention to the transition from the New York State Thruway and I 81 to the predominantly surface road profile as you get closer to Brighton.
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 211.5 miles from Islip, NY, or about 4h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 93 miles or 2h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 211.5 miles or 4h 24m 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 211.5 miles or 4h 24m
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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brighton, 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 212 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Brighton, NY
Aim for roughly 212 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 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 New York State Thruway for about 99.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
212 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 Nazareth, PAOvernight Options
Night 1
212 mi · about 4.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Nazareth, PA after about 212 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 93 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 211.5 miles from Islip, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 212 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Penn-Can Travel Plaza
0 mi from route
Rest area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pembroke Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Whitney Point Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pennsylvania Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Scottsville Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Clifton Springs Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Junius Ponds Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Seneca Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Ontario Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Clarence Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Crescent Lake Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Pennsylvania Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
Rest Area
1.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 465 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
$75.07 one way
$150.15 round trip
$4.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
148 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.85 | $80.70 | $161.41 |
| premium | $5.24 | $87.25 | $174.50 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $89.10 | $178.19 |
Estimated Tolls: $27.81
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(99.6 mi)
$4.98
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
$75
Tolls
$28
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$233–$343
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 148 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 126.9 | 1 | $44.42 | $20.30 |
| Efficient EV | 105.8 | 1 | $37.01 | $16.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 169.2 | 2 | $59.22 | $27.07 |
Gas CO2
148 kg
EV CO2
49 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.
Origin
Islip, NY
Afternoon in Islip on Wednesday
Local time
3:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Isolated Rain Showers
N 3 mph
20% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Brighton, NY
Afternoon in Brighton on Wednesday
Local time
3:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Partly Cloudy
W 2 mph
1% chance
Live 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.
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
5 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 54m 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
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 43.8
View on nps.gov
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 43.8
View on nps.gov
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 306.3
View on nps.gov
Women's Rights National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 320.9
View on nps.gov
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 43.8
View on nps.gov
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 43.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
About 42% of this 423-mile drive is on highways, meaning you'll spend a significant portion on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a major highway is 99.6 miles along the New York State Thruway. Expect to transition from highway cruising to navigating local roads with more frequent intersections as you progress.
Only 42% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
74 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 mi on New York State Thruway.
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 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 46 significant decision points across 423 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,895 ft
47 ft
Total Climb
2,604 ft
Total Descent
2,085 ft
Highest Point
1,895 ft
~151.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,848 ft
Notable High Points
1,895 ft at ~151.1 miles
+813 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Brighton, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Hackensack - among others.
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
Albany
225.4 mi in
|
~4h 41m
|
via I 81
About the Cities
Starting in Islip, NY
Full guide →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
Arriving in Brighton, NY
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Brighton i360 — observation tower in Brighton, East Sussex
- • Brighton Toy and Model Museum — toy museum in Brighton, United Kingdom
- • Brighton Wheel — Ferris wheel in Brighton, England
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
8h 54m 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 99.6 miles on New York State Thruway. 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 212 miles on day one.
Expect about $27.81 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 39 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 Brighton, 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 39 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 Harriet Tubman National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brighton, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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