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Trip from Islip, NY to Lansing, NY

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

Drive Time

5h 51m

Distance

277 mi

446 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 38m ★
6 AM
5h 51m
8 AM
6h 17m
10 AM
6h 0m
12 PM
5h 58m
3 PM
6h 2m
5 PM
6h 16m
8 PM
5h 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 Ingham County, Eaton County and Clinton County, Michigan, USA and Michigan federated state capital city

Lansing, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 277-mile drive from Islip, NY, to Lansing, NY, is a straightforward journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 51 minutes. It's a solid day trip option, so you won't necessarily need an overnight stop. The estimated fuel cost is around $46, making it an economical choice for a New York State excursion. This route primarily sticks to major highways, offering a consistent driving experience as you travel north within the Northeast region. With a highway share of 62%, expect a good portion of your travel to be on well-maintained interstate roads, allowing for steady progress.

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

138.5 miles from Islip, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 59m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 73.8 mi 1h 28m
Christopher Columbus Highway 68.2 mi 1h 20m
I 380 27.7 mi 30m
Southern State Parkway 24.7 mi 31m
US 11 23.2 mi 27m
Keystone Shortway 17.3 mi 24m
Cross Bronx Expressway 6.6 mi 8m
Clearview Expressway 5 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 73.8 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

23 mi · 27 min · US 11; NY 79
49

Turn right onto CR 164

2.4 mi · 5 min · Ellis Hollow Road
50

Turn right onto CR 164

3.0 mi · 5 min · Ellis Hollow Creek Road
51

At end of road, turn right onto CR 161

1.3 mi · 2 min · Turkey Hill Road
52

Turn right onto NY 366

1.1 mi · 1 min · Dryden Road
53

Continue on NY 366

124 ft · 9 sec · Dryden Road
54

Turn left onto NY 13

3.3 mi · 4 min · State Route 13
55

Turn right onto Warren Road

381 ft · 13 sec · Warren Road
Use the right lane.
56

Turn left onto Dart Drive

0.8 mi · 2 min · Dart Drive
Use the left lane.
57

Arrive at destination

Dart Drive

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5-hour, 51-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Islip to avoid potential traffic heading north. Since this is a manageable day trip, you have flexibility with stops; one planned stop is likely sufficient. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longest stretch of 73.8 miles on I-81, where services might be more spread out. The estimated fuel cost of $46 is a good budget to keep in mind. A practical tip is to check your tire pressure before you leave, as consistent highway speeds can impact it.

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 138.5 miles from Islip, NY, or about 2h 59m 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 61 miles or 1h 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 138.5 miles or 2h 59m 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 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lansing, 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 277 miles and 5h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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

139 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vestal, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 138.5 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.

Nearby Places

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

Top Restaurant

Hapgoods Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 79.2

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19732993399

Visit website

Hapgoods Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 79.2

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19732993399

Visit website

Hainan

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 39.6

Flushing, New York

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19175637223

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately mile 59.4

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12014871088

Visit website

Bosphorus Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 79.2

Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+19733359690

Visit website

Fasil Mediterranean Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 79.2

Boonton, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19739173334

Visit website

Sabor Restaurant & Bakery

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 39.6

College Point, New York

Hours: 6:30 am–10 pm

+13473684407

Visit website

Lima 33 Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately mile 39.6

Little Neck, New York

Hours: 1–9 pm

+17182254949

Visit website

Honey Day Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 59.4

Glen Rock, New Jersey

Hours: 8:30 am–3 pm

+12013893535

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 59.4

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 59.4

South Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12014265898

Visit website

Flying J EV Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 197.9

New Milford, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15704652974

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 197.9

New Milford, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15704652974

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 79.2

Denville, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 277

Ithaca, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 277

Ithaca, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 277

Ithaca, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887174544

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 217.7

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 79.2

Denville, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Veterans Memorial Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 79.2

Parsippany, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+19732637254

Visit website

Cornell Botanic Gardens

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 277

Ithaca, New York

+16072552400

Visit website

Posh Princess Palace

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 59.4

Lodi, New Jersey

Hours: 1–7 pm

+18628997674

Visit website

Ithaca Farmers Market

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 277

Ithaca, New York

Hours: Closed

+16072737109

Visit website

iFLY Indoor Skydiving- Paramus

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 59.4

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–8:30 pm

+12017334359

Visit website

Eisenhower Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 19.8

East Meadow, New York

+15165720348

Visit website

Catch Air Paramus

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 59.4

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12016202125

Visit website

Ithaca Children's Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 277

Ithaca, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+16073194203

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 39

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

$45.60 one way

$91.19 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 97 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $49.30 $98.61
premium $4.92 $53.69 $107.38
diesel $5.61 $61.16 $122.32

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

$46

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$93–$118

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 96.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 83.1 1 $29.08 $13.30
Efficient EV 69.3 0 $24.24 $11.08
EV Truck/SUV 110.8 1 $38.78 $17.73

Gas CO2

97 kg

EV CO2

32 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 16, 2026

Origin

Islip, NY

Late night in Islip on Sunday

Local time

4:44 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 7 to 10 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

Destination

Lansing, NY

Late night in Lansing on Sunday

Local time

4:44 AM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Ramapo, NY

139 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

36 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

5h 51m 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...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 47.8
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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 47.8
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 ~21 min detour Free near mile 47.8
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 ~25 min detour Free near mile 47.8
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...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 47.8
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 ~27 min detour Free near mile 47.8
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this drive is largely highway-focused, with 62% of the journey taking place on interstates. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I-81, including a longest stretch of 73.8 miles without needing to exit. The Christopher Columbus Highway and I-380 also contribute to the predominantly high-speed nature of this trip. Expect a consistent pace for most of the drive, as the road remains largely a multi-lane highway affair. This profile suggests a route designed for efficient travel rather than leisurely sightseeing.

62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
57 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 39 significant decision points across 277 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 Lansing, 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

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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).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 51m. Total distance: 277 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

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 Lansing, 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 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lansing, 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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Continue From Lansing, NY

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