Embarking on the journey from Jefferson Heights, NY, to Babylon, NY, covers a distance of 151.8 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 13 minutes. This drive is well-suited for a single day, with an estimated fuel cost of $25. You'll navigate primarily via the New York State Thruway and the Southern State Parkway, with a brief stint on NJ 17. The route offers a mixed driving experience, making it a straightforward, practical trip within the Northeast region. Planning for one stop is recommended to break up the drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75.9 miles from Jefferson Heights, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
83.1 mi
1h 35m
Southern State Parkway
18 mi
22m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Farmingdale Road
3.5 mi
5m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 83.1 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson Heights, NY and Babylon, NY.
1
Start on CR 23B
0.9 mi·1 min·Jefferson Heights
2
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward NYST, I 87
3
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·28 sec·this road
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 South: NY City
5
Merge onto I 87
83 mi·1 hr 35 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
7
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
8
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
11
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
16
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
18
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
2.0 mi·2 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6BToward I 295 South: Throgs Neck BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
21
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
24
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
26
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
27
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
28
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
30
Merge onto SO
18 mi·22 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 33Toward NY 109 East: BabylonUse the slight right lane.
32
Turn slight right onto NY 109
3.5 mi·5 min·Farmingdale Road
Use the left lane.
33
Continue on NY 109
0.9 mi·1 min·Little East Neck Road North
34
Turn left onto NY 27A
0.5 mi·49 sec·West Main Street
35
Turn right onto South Carll Avenue
68 ft·2 sec·South Carll Avenue
36
Arrive at destination
South Carll Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 151.8-mile drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and potentially avoid heavier traffic, especially as you approach the Long Island area. With a duration of just over 3 hours, this trip is easily manageable in one day, and you'll have the flexibility to stop when needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $25, and plan your single recommended stop strategically. A helpful tip for this route is to be aware of potential traffic patterns on the Southern State Parkway during peak hours.
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 75.9 miles from Jefferson Heights, NY, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.1 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 33 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.9 miles or 1h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Babylon, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jefferson Heights, 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 Jefferson Heights, NY
This is one driving day of about 151.8 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Jefferson Heights, 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 New York State Thruway for about 83.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 84.9 and 146.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
84.9 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
86.3 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
115.3 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 6B
Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge
8
128.3 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Take the exit toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 25A
Toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Lon...
7
146.8 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward NY 109 East: Babylon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 33
Toward NY 109 East: Babylon
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.99 one way
$49.97 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$27.02
$54.04
premium
$4.92
$29.42
$58.84
diesel
$5.61
$33.52
$67.03
Estimated Tolls: $26.71
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(83.1 mi)$4.16
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
$25
Tolls
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.5
0
$15.94
$7.29
Efficient EV
38
0
$13.28
$6.07
EV Truck/SUV
60.7
0
$21.25
$9.72
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Jefferson Heights, NY
Morning
in Jefferson Heights on Sunday
Local time
6:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Babylon, NY
Morning
in Babylon on Sunday
Local time
6:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Scattered Rain Showers
N 7 mph33% chanceLive 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
16 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 13m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 109.9
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 109.9
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 109.9
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 109.9
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 109.9
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 109.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive presents a mixed profile, with 37% of the journey on highways. Expect a long, uninterrupted stretch of 83.1 miles on the New York State Thruway, which will likely feel like a consistent highway pace. As you transition to the Southern State Parkway, the character may shift slightly, offering a different feel for the latter part of your trip. Overall, it's a route that balances efficient travel with the nuances of parkway driving.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.1 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 84.9 miles in near NY 17.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 151.8 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 84.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.3 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): 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 Jefferson Heights, NY and Babylon, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York, Cross Island Parkway South, Southern State Parkway East and Eastern Long Island.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 151.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.1 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $26.71 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 Babylon, 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 84.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.3 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Babylon, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
