Origin
Islip, NY
Afternoon in Islip on Sunday
Local time
3:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Islip, NY to West Elmira, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 52m
Distance
283.9 mi
457 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 40m
★
6 AM
5h 53m
8 AM
6h 19m
10 AM
6h 2m
12 PM
5h 59m
3 PM
6h 3m
5 PM
6h 18m
8 PM
5h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Islip, NY
Wikimedia Commons
West Elmira, NY
Beth Fitzpatrick
Trip Overview
Islip to West Elmira is 283.9 miles and takes about 5h 52m via Christopher Columbus Highway and I-81/I-86, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, crossing from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Given its mostly highway profile, expect a fairly direct path with minimal detours. It's a manageable single-day drive if you get an early start, making it a convenient option for those looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
142 miles from Islip, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m 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 | 54.7 mi | 1h 4m |
| 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
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 168 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,210 veh/hr typical · worst 4,900
Quietest
1 AM
~430 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Islip, NY and West Elmira, 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
55 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
44
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 56
Toward NY 352: Elmira, Jerusalem Hill
45
Keep slight left at fork
103 ft
·
6 sec
46
Turn left onto NY 352
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Water Street
47
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
North Main Street
48
Turn left onto NY 352
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West Church Street
49
Turn left onto Durland Avenue
524 ft
·
25 sec
·
Durland Avenue
50
Turn right
204 ft
·
16 sec
51
At end of road, turn left
174 ft
·
14 sec
52
Turn right
168 ft
·
12 sec
53
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour, 52-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure to avoid heavier traffic, especially on the initial highway segments. With a total distance of 283.9 miles, you can comfortably complete this in one day. Plan for one fuel stop, as the estimated cost is around $46. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as highway services can be spaced out, particularly on the 68.2-mile stretch of Christopher Columbus Highway. Breaking up the drive with a short break around the halfway point will help you stay alert.
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 142 miles from Islip, NY, or about 3h 3m 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 62 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142 miles or 3h 3m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Elmira, 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 283.9 miles and 5h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
142 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 142 miles from Islip, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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 375 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
$46.14 one way
$92.28 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $49.94 | $99.88 |
| premium | $4.87 | $54.39 | $108.78 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $41.91 | $83.83 |
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
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.2 | 1 | $29.81 | $13.63 |
| Efficient EV | 71 | 0 | $24.84 | $11.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.6 | 1 | $39.75 | $18.17 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Destination
West Elmira, NY
Afternoon in West Elmira on Sunday
Local time
3:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
4 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 52m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 64% of your time on highways like I-81 and I-86. The longest continuous stretch on these roads is 68.2 miles on Christopher Columbus Highway. Expect a relatively smooth ride for the majority of the trip, with most of the highway driving concentrated in the first part of your journey. The transition away from the longest highway stretch will likely bring more local traffic and intersections as you approach your destination.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
53 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 37 significant decision points across 283.9 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.
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 West Elmira, 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 West Elmira, NY
Full guide →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 52m. Total distance: 283.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 52m 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 West Elmira, 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at West Elmira, 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 FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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