Skip to main content

Trip from Islip, NY to Chemung, NY

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 34m

Distance

270 mi

434 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 21m ★
6 AM
5h 34m
8 AM
6h 1m
10 AM
5h 43m
12 PM
5h 41m
3 PM
5h 45m
5 PM
5h 59m
8 PM
5h 26m

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

town in Suffolk County, New York, United States

Islip, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Chemung, NY, NY

Chemung, NY

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

Islip, NY to Chemung, NY is 270 miles and takes about 5h 34m via Christopher Columbus Highway and I-81, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, traversing the Northeast region. It's a highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day journey. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get from Long Island towards the Southern Tier of New York.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

135 miles from Islip, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Christopher Columbus Highway 68.2 mi 1h 20m
I 81 58.1 mi 1h 9m
I 86 44 mi 51m
I 380 27.7 mi 30m
Southern State Parkway 24.7 mi 31m
Keystone Shortway 17.3 mi 24m
Cross Bronx Expressway 6.6 mi 8m
Clearview Expressway 5 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Christopher Columbus Highway — 68.2 mi, about 1h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Islip, NY and Chemung, 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

44 mi · 51 min · I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
44

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 29 sec
Exit 59 Toward NY 427: Chemung
45

Turn right onto Wyncoop Creek Road

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Wyncoop Creek Road
46

Turn right onto CR 60

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Main Street
47

Arrive at destination

CR 60

Trip Plan

With a total duration of around 5 hours and 34 minutes, this is a manageable one-day trip. Aim to depart Islip in the morning to take advantage of daylight and arrive in Chemung with ample time. While the drive is not excessively long, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel. The fuel cost is estimated at $44, so be sure to factor that into your budget. Given the highway-heavy nature, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the Christopher Columbus Highway where the longest stretch is 68.2 miles.

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 135 miles from Islip, NY, or about 2h 54m 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 59 miles or 1h 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 135 miles or 2h 54m 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 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chemung, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Islip, NY

This is one driving day of about 270 miles and 5h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Islip, 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.

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

135 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Yonkers, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ramapo, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 135 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 Christopher Columbus Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.2 miles.

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 31

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

$44.44 one way

$88.89 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 95 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $48.06 $96.12
premium $4.92 $52.33 $104.66
diesel $5.61 $59.61 $119.23

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: 94.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 81 0 $28.35 $12.96
Efficient EV 67.5 0 $23.63 $10.80
EV Truck/SUV 108 1 $37.80 $17.28

Gas CO2

94 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Islip, NY

Late night in Islip on Tuesday

Local time

4:09 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chemung, NY

Late night in Chemung on Tuesday

Local time

4:09 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

63°F

Ramapo, NY

135 mi in

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

5h 34m 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.

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 46.5
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...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 46.5
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...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour Free near mile 46.5
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...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 46.5
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...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free near mile 46.5
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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 46.5
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is primarily highway-focused, with 64% of your journey on major interstates like I-81 and I-86. You'll spend a good portion of time on the Christopher Columbus Highway before transitioning to the interstate system. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 68.2 miles on the Christopher Columbus Highway, offering a consistent pace. Expect a relatively smooth and direct experience for most of the 270 miles.

64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Christopher Columbus Highway and I 81. 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 31 significant decision points across 270 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 Chemung, 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

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 Chemung, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1786

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

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 34m. Total distance: 270 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

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.

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 Chemung, 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. 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 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Chemung, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Chemung, NY to Islip, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

269.2 mi 5h 33m

Explore more options from Islip, NY or browse trips ending in Chemung, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.