The drive from Lake Ronkonkoma, NY to Ramapo, NY covers 76.1 miles and takes about 1h 50m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Long Island Expressway, NJ 17, NJ 4 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mostly highway.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31.8 miles on Long Island Expressway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.37 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38 miles from Lake Ronkonkoma, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
31.8 mi
42m
NJ 17
14.7 mi
18m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Cross Island Parkway
3.1 mi
4m
Throgs Neck Bridge
1.8 mi
3m
Motor Parkway
1.4 mi
2m
I 95 EXPR
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 31.8 mi, about 42m
Traffic on I-495
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~4,880 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~521 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 24 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 Ramapo, 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 right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 72AToward NJ 4 West: ParamusUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto NJ 4
6.7 mi·9 min·NJ 4
Use the slight right lane.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, MahwahUse the straight lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: MahwahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
29
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
30
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
31
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
0.6 mi·43 sec·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
32
Turn right
195 ft·14 sec
33
Turn slight right
218 ft·17 sec
34
Turn right onto 4th Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·4th Street
35
Turn left onto NY 59
0.2 mi·17 sec·Orange Turnpike
36
Turn right onto CR 95
1.1 mi·2 min·Torne Valley Road
37
Turn left onto Torne Brook Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Torne Brook Road
38
Turn right onto Lake Street
153 ft·6 sec·Lake Street
39
Arrive at destination
Lake Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 38 miles from Lake Ronkonkoma, NY, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.8 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 17 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ramapo, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lake Ronkonkoma, NY
This is one driving day of about 76.1 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Lake Ronkonkoma, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Long Island Expressway for about 31.8 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 27
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
9
51.3 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.37 one way
$24.74 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$13.39
$26.77
premium
$4.87
$14.58
$29.16
diesel
$5.40
$16.19
$32.38
Estimated Tolls: $22.55
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
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
$12
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.8
0
$7.99
$3.65
Efficient EV
19
0
$6.66
$3.04
EV Truck/SUV
30.4
0
$10.65
$4.87
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (67% 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 26, 2026
Origin
Lake Ronkonkoma, NY
Afternoon
in Lake Ronkonkoma on Sunday
Local time
12:09 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
Ramapo, NY
Afternoon
in Ramapo on Sunday
Local time
12:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Partly Sunny
NE 7 mph10% 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
5 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
1h 50m 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...
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...
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 49.8
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 49.8
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 49.8
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 49.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
76.1 mi in 1h 50m, mostly highway — 31.8 mi of that is on Long Island Expressway.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.8 mi on Long Island Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Island Expressway and NJ 17. 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
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76.1 miles you will encounter 27 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 Ramapo, 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 1h 50m. Total distance: 76.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.8 miles on Long Island Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $22.55 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.
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 Ramapo, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ramapo, NY before heading back.
