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Trip from Islip, NY to Geneva, NY

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

Drive Time

6h 50m

Distance

318.7 mi

513 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
6h 38m ★
6 AM
6h 50m
8 AM
7h 13m
10 AM
6h 58m
12 PM
6h 56m
3 PM
6h 59m
5 PM
7h 12m
8 PM
6h 43m

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

city in New York, USA

Geneva, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embark on a 318.7-mile journey from Islip, NY, to Geneva, NY, a trip that can be comfortably completed in about 6 hours and 50 minutes. This drive primarily utilizes I 81 and the Christopher Columbus Highway, with a 63% highway share, making it a straightforward, highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $52, this route is an ideal candidate for a single-day adventure, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, so you'll be traversing familiar territory throughout your 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

1 planned break

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

Midpoint

159.3 miles from Islip, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 23m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 73.8 mi 1h 28m
Christopher Columbus Highway 68.2 mi 1h 20m
US 11 30.6 mi 40m
I 380 27.7 mi 30m
Southern State Parkway 24.7 mi 31m
Keystone Shortway 17.3 mi 24m
State Highway 96A 17.1 mi 23m
Trumansburg Road 8.8 mi 13m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 73.8 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

14 mi · 16 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
45

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 8 Toward NY 26 North: Whitney Point, Lisle
46

Turn right onto NY 26

0.5 mi · 43 sec · NY 26
47

At end of road, turn left onto US 11; NY 26

0.1 mi · 9 sec · US 11; NY 26
48

Continue on US 11; NY 79

31 mi · 39 min · US 11; NY 79
49

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 79

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Seneca Way
50

Continue on NY 79

0.9 mi · 2 min · East Seneca Street
Use the straight lane.
51

Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard

338 ft · 15 sec · Taughannock Boulevard
52

Turn left onto NY 96

0.2 mi · 21 sec · West Buffalo Street
53

Continue on NY 96

1.0 mi · 2 min · Cliff Street
54

Continue on NY 96

8.7 mi · 12 min · Trumansburg Road
55

Continue on NY 96

1.4 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
56

Continue on NY 96

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Trumansburg Road
57

Continue on NY 96

4.0 mi · 5 min · State Highway 96
58

Turn right onto CR 141A

1.5 mi · 2 min · Powell Road
59

Continue on CR 141

0.9 mi · 1 min · County Road 141
60

Turn left onto NY 89

3.4 mi · 4 min · State Highway 89
61

Turn left onto Center Road

1.4 mi · 1 min · Center Road
62

Turn right onto NY 96

3.0 mi · 4 min · State Highway 96
63

Continue on NY 96

485 ft · 15 sec · North Town Line Road
64

Continue on NY 96A

0.2 mi · 24 sec · North Street
65

Continue on NY 96A

17 mi · 23 min · State Highway 96A
66

Turn left onto US 20; NY 5

1.6 mi · 2 min · Waterloo-Geneva Road
67

Continue on US 20; NY 5

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Lake Front Drive
68

Turn sharp left

227 ft · 17 sec
69

Turn right

203 ft · 14 sec
70

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To maximize your time and minimize traffic, consider departing from Islip early in the morning. With a driving time of nearly 7 hours, planning for one stop along the way is advisable for fuel and a brief break. The longest stretch without a major exit is 73.8 miles on I 81, so ensure you have adequate fuel before entering this segment. Given this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as needed, but keeping a steady momentum will help you arrive in Geneva with daylight to spare.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 159.3 miles from Islip, NY, or about 3h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.8 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 70 miles or 1h 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 159.3 miles or 3h 23m 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 26m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Geneva, 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 318.7 miles and 6h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 I 81 for about 73.8 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

159 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

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Endwell, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 159.3 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 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.8 miles.

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.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Lumis Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fairfield, New Jersey

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch · 1h 28m in 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $50 to $10

Hours: 12–9:30 pm

+19739442049

Visit website

Mocha Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bronx, New York

1.9 mi

Fusion 27 restaurant and catering services

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Totowa, New Jersey

2.4 mi

Best coffee break · first break window

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

Near the start, short detour

First break · 59min in 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

+19172614093

Lumis Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $50 to $10

Fairfield, New Jersey

Hours: 12–9:30 pm

+19739442049

Visit website

Mocha Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Bronx, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13472027123

Visit website

Fusion 27 restaurant and catering services

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Totowa, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+19735955595

Visit website

An Beal Bocht Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Bronx, New York

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+17188847127

Visit website

Park Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15167490697

Sabor Restaurant & Bakery

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

College Point, New York

Hours: 6:30 am–10 pm

+13473684407

Visit website

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

+19172614093

Cafe Amrita

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+12122220683

Visit website

Eagle Rock Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10

Montclair, New Jersey

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

+19733586543

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.2 mi from route

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Geneva, New York

Visit website

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Ithaca, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887174544

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Ithaca, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Ithaca, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Ithaca, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

PISO EV Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Geneva, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18332172197

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Ithaca, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Ithaca Farmers Market

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Ithaca, New York

Hours: Closed

+16072737109

Visit website

Ithaca Children's Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Ithaca, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+16073194203

Visit website

Claremont Park

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Bronx, NY

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

Cornell Botanic Gardens

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Ithaca, New York

+16072552400

Visit website

Roberto Clemente State Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Bronx, New York

Hours: 8:30 am–8:30 pm

+17182998750

Visit website

The Bronx Museum of the Arts

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Bronx, New York

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+17186816000

Visit website

Yankee Stadium

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Bronx, New York

+12129265337

Visit website

Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Bronx, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 42

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

$52.46 one way

$104.92 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 112 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $56.73 $113.45
premium $4.92 $61.77 $123.54
diesel $5.61 $70.36 $140.73

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

$52

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$100–$125

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 111.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 95.6 1 $33.46 $15.30
Efficient EV 79.7 0 $27.89 $12.75
EV Truck/SUV 127.5 1 $44.62 $20.40

Gas CO2

112 kg

EV CO2

37 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 Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Islip, NY

Morning in Islip on Tuesday

Local time

10:04 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Mostly Cloudy

E 5 to 9 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Geneva, NY

Morning in Geneva on Tuesday

Local time

10:04 AM

EDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

63°F

Ramapo, NY

159 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

13 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

6h 50m 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.

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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 44
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
View on nps.gov
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...

5 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 44
View on nps.gov
Women's Rights National Historical Park

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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 318.7
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...

10 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 54.9
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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 54.9
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 ~29 min detour Free near mile 54.9
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This route leans heavily towards highway travel, with 63% of the journey on major roadways. Expect a significant portion of your drive to be on I 81, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 73.8 miles. While the highway focus provides efficiency, be prepared for stretches where the scenery might be consistent. The Christopher Columbus Highway and US 11 offer some variation, but the overall profile is that of a direct, efficient drive designed to get you from point A to point B with minimal detours.

63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
70 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.8 mi on I 81.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 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 42 significant decision points across 318.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 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 Geneva, 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

Lisle

241.2 mi in | ~5h

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 Geneva, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1793

Geneva is the name of both a town and a city in Ontario County, in the Finger Lakes region of New York. The City of Geneva is surrounded by the Town of Geneva.

Top landmarks

  • • St. Peter's Episcopal Church — church building in Geneva, New York, United States of America
  • • Ashcroft — historic home located at Geneva, Ontario County, New York, USA
  • • Genesee Park Historic District — historic district in Geneva, Ontario County, New York

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 6h 50m. Total distance: 318.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 50m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 73.8 miles on I 81. 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 Geneva, 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 — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Women's Rights 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 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Geneva, 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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Explore More

Continue From Geneva, NY

Brookhaven, NY 332.9 mi · 7h 8m Hempstead, NY 293.2 mi · 6h 17m Queens, NY 281.5 mi · 6h 11m Staten Island, NY 271.9 mi · 6h 2m

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