Trip from Islip, NY to North Elba, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 41m
Distance
322.3 mi
519 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Islip, NY
Wikimedia Commons
North Elba, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 322.3-mile drive from Islip, NY, to North Elba, NY, will take approximately 6 hours and 41 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll navigate primarily on the Southern State Parkway, NY 17, and the Adirondack Northway. With an estimated fuel cost of $53 and a highway share of 65%, this route offers a straightforward journey through New York State. Given its duration, you could complete this trip in a single day, but consider an early start to maximize daylight hours, especially if you prefer a more relaxed pace.
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
161.1 miles from Islip, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 111.7 mi | 2h 8m |
| Adirondack Northway | 97.7 mi | 1h 53m |
| Southern State Parkway | 24.7 mi | 31m |
| State Highway 73 | 18.7 mi | 27m |
| NJ 17 | 14.7 mi | 18m |
| I 787 | 9 mi | 12m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
Traffic on I-87
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,496 veh/hr typical · worst 3,286
Quietest
1 AM
~113 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
22.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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 North Elba, NY.
Start on NY 27A
Continue on Montauk Highway
Continue on NY 27A
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
Continue on CR 57
Continue on CR 57
Turn straight onto Sunrise Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57
Continue on CR 57
Take the ramp
Continue on this road
Merge onto SO
Take the exit
Merge onto CI
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto NY 24
Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue
Turn right onto NY 24
Continue on I 295
Continue on I 295
Continue on I 295
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 4
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on I 287; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
Take the exit
Continue on I 787
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 787
Take the exit
Merge onto NY 7
Take the exit
Merge onto I 87
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 9
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 73
Continue on NY 9N; NY 73
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 73
Continue on NY 73
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour, 41-minute trip, consider departing Islip early in the morning. This allows you to cover the longest stretch of 111.7 miles on NY 17 before encountering heavier traffic. With only one recommended stop, plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $53 estimated cost suggests consistent refueling will be necessary. The Adirondack Northway is generally straightforward, but always be aware of posted speed limits as you approach North Elba.
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 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 71 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.1 miles or 3h 22m 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 North Elba, 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 322.3 miles and 6h 41m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 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
A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 161.1 miles from Islip, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.7 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.
Rest Area
Sloatsburg Service Area
Rest Area
Rest Area
Rest Area I-87 (South Bound)
High Peaks Welcome Center
Plattkill Service Area
Malden Service Area
Modena Travel Plaza
Clifton Park Rest Area
Rest Area
Rest Area
Ulster Travel Plaza
Rest Area
Modena Service Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
Rest Area
Plaza 23 Truck Stop
Rest Area
Service Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 365 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.
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
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward Hempstead Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.14 one way
$104.28 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $56.58 | $113.16 |
| premium | $4.85 | $61.52 | $123.03 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $60.86 | $121.71 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.55
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: 112.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.7 | 1 | $33.84 | $15.47 |
| Efficient EV | 80.6 | 0 | $28.20 | $12.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 128.9 | 1 | $45.12 | $20.63 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Islip, NY
Late night in Islip on Monday
Local time
5:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Areas Of Smoke
Destination
North Elba, NY
Late night in North Elba on Monday
Local time
5:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Sunny
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
11 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 41m 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.
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...
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...
Saratoga National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for about 65% of this 322.3-mile journey. You'll experience a significant stretch of 111.7 miles on NY 17, providing a good amount of uninterrupted driving time. The route progresses from parkway and state highway sections to the more direct Adirondack Northway, offering a mix of travel experiences. This isn't an overly technical drive; it's designed for steady progress towards your destination.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and Adirondack Northway. 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.
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 36 significant decision points across 322.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles (CR 57 / Howells Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
2,356 ft
Total Descent
404 ft
Highest Point
1,965 ft
~322.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,953 ft
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 North Elba, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Gsp South - among others.
Cross Island Parkway North
Hempstead Avenue West
Grandstand
Upper Level
Njtp South: Hackensack
Gsp South
Gsp North
Newark
Mahwah
New York State Thruway North: Albany
Troy
Saratoga Springs
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 North Elba, NY
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • John Brown Farm State Historic Site — historical landmark
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 41m. Total distance: 322.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 41m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From North Elba, NY
More trips to North Elba, NY
Explore more options from Islip, NY or browse trips ending in North Elba, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.