The drive from Lake Ronkonkoma, NY to Greece, NY covers 372 miles and takes about 7h 58m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway, Long Island Expressway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mostly surface roads.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 97.3 miles on I 81.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $60.46 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
186 miles from Lake Ronkonkoma, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
97.3 mi
1h 55m
Christopher Columbus Highway
68.2 mi
1h 20m
Long Island Expressway
31.8 mi
42m
New York State Thruway
30.3 mi
34m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
Eastern Expressway
10.8 mi
13m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 97.3 mi, about 1h 55m
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Lake Ronkonkoma, NY and Greece, NY.
1
Start on Margaret Drive
0.2 mi·1 min·Margaret Drive
2
Turn left onto Gibbs Pond Road
0.3 mi·43 sec·Gibbs Pond Road
3
Continue on CR 93
0.6 mi·1 min·Rosevale Avenue
4
Turn right onto CR 67
1.4 mi·2 min·Motor Parkway
5
Turn left onto Old Nichols Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Old Nichols Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto Express Drive North
0.2 mi·17 sec·Express Drive North
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 495 west: New YorkUse the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 495
32 mi·42 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 31N-SToward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 31NToward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto CI
3.1 mi·4 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 33Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New EnglandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
14
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi·8 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
17
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
18
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
19
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.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 69Toward I 80 West: Paterson, HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 80
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
28
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
29
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
30
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
33
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
34
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
35
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
36
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
37
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
38
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
39
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
40
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
41
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
42
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
43
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
44
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
45
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
46
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
47
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
48
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
49
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
50
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
51
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
52
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
53
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
54
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
55
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 45Toward I 490: RochesterUse the slight right lane.
56
Continue on I 490
11 mi·13 min·Eastern Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
57
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
Exit 21Toward I 590 South, NY 590 NorthUse the slight right lane.
58
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward NY 590 North: IrondequoitUse the slight right lane.
59
Merge onto NY 590
3.5 mi·4 min·Outer Loop
Use the straight / right lanes.
60
Take the exit
0.5 mi·55 sec
Exit 10AToward NY 104 West: GreeceUse the slight right lane.
61
Merge onto NY 104
3.5 mi·4 min·Keeler Street Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
62
Continue on NY 104
0.2 mi·12 sec·Veterans Memorial Bridge
63
Continue on NY 104
2.7 mi·3 min·West Ridge Road
64
Continue on NY 104
1.1 mi·1 min·West Ridge Road
65
Turn right
60 ft·8 sec
66
Turn left
54 ft·4 sec
67
Turn right
8 ft·0 sec
68
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 186 miles from Lake Ronkonkoma, NY, or about 3h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.3 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 82 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186 miles or 3h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Greece, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lake Ronkonkoma, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lake Ronkonkoma, NY
This is one driving day of about 372 miles and 7h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Lake Ronkonkoma, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 97.3 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 46
5 decision points cluster between mile 35.3 and 51.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
35.3 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport
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.
Exit 31N-S
Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge,...
10
35.5 mi into trip|~50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 31N
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone B...
8
38.9 mi into trip|~56m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
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.
Exit 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx,...
8
51.1 mi into trip|~1h 14m 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
51.3 mi into trip|~1h 14m 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
$60.46 one way
$120.91 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$65.44
$130.87
premium
$4.87
$71.27
$142.53
diesel
$5.40
$79.13
$158.26
Estimated Tolls: $24.35
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(30.3 mi)$1.52
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
$60
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$110–$135
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.6
1
$39.06
$17.86
Efficient EV
93
1
$32.55
$14.88
EV Truck/SUV
148.8
1
$52.08
$23.81
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Forecast as of Apr 26, 2026
Origin
Lake Ronkonkoma, NY
Afternoon
in Lake Ronkonkoma on Sunday
Local time
12:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
NE 8 to 12 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 26 at 5:08AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 12:24AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Greece, NY
Afternoon
in Greece on Sunday
Local time
12:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny
NE 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 26 at 5:08AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 12:24AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
1 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
7h 58m 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
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
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 51.3
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 320.7
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 307.9
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
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 51.3
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
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 51.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
372 mi in 7h 58m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.
Only 53% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
68 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.3 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.3 miles in.
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 46 significant decision points across 372 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 35.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lake Ronkonkoma, NY and Greece, NY, road signs point toward Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Upper Level and Njtp South: Hackensack - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 58m. Total distance: 372 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 58m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.3 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $24.35 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 Greece, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 35.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 15.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Greece, NY before the return drive.
