Marion, NY to Babylon, NY is 343.7 miles and takes about 7h 21m via I 81, with a fuel budget near $63 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, starting and ending in New York. Expect a drive that transitions from highway cruising to more local roads as you approach your destination. It's a solid option if you're looking for a one-day drive that covers a good chunk of distance without requiring an overnight stay.
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
171.8 miles from Marion, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
New York State Thruway
19.2 mi
22m
Southern State Parkway
18 mi
22m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
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 Marion, NY and Babylon, NY.
1
Start on CR 207
62 ft·4 sec·Buffalo Street
2
Turn right onto CR 216
0.5 mi·1 min·South Main Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto NY 21
2.2 mi·3 min·Palmyra Road
4
Continue on NY 21
3.3 mi·5 min·State Route 21
5
At end of road, turn right onto NY 21; NY 31
0.6 mi·51 sec·East Main Street
6
Turn left onto NY 21
0.5 mi·46 sec·Canandaigua Street
7
Continue on NY 21
1.1 mi·1 min·Canandaigua Road
8
Continue on NY 21
4.3 mi·6 min·State Route 21
9
Continue on NY 21
0.2 mi·19 sec·North Main Street
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 90 East
12
Merge onto I 90
19 mi·22 min·New York State Thruway
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
15
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
16
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
18
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
20
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
21
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
22
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
23
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
24
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
25
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
26
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
27
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
28
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
29
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
30
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
31
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
32
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
34
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
37
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
38
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
40
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
42
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
44
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
45
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
46
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
47
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
49
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
51
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
53
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
54
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.
55
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
56
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
57
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
58
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
59
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
60
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
61
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
62
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
63
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
64
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
65
Merge onto SO
18 mi·22 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
66
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 33Toward NY 109 East: BabylonUse the slight right lane.
67
Turn slight right onto NY 109
3.5 mi·5 min·Farmingdale Road
Use the left lane.
68
Continue on NY 109
0.9 mi·1 min·Little East Neck Road North
69
Turn left onto NY 27A
0.5 mi·49 sec·West Main Street
70
Turn right onto South Carll Avenue
68 ft·2 sec·South Carll Avenue
71
Arrive at destination
South Carll Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour estimated drive time, leaving Marion, NY in the early morning is your best bet to arrive in Babylon, NY before evening. With 2 recommended stops, plan to break up the 343.7 miles into manageable segments. The longest stretch without a major highway change is 98.8 miles on I 81, which could be a good point for your first stop. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $63, and map out your planned stops in advance to ensure you find convenient services along the way, especially as you transition to surface roads later in the trip.
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 171.8 miles from Marion, NY, or about 3h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 76 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.8 miles or 3h 46m 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 59m
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 Marion, 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 Marion, NY
This is one driving day of about 343.7 miles and 7h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Marion, 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 98.8 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 47
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.7 and 307.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
32.7 mi into trip|~43m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
182.9 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
297.5 mi into trip|~6h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
297.8 mi into trip|~6h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
307.2 mi into trip|~6h 30m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.60 one way
$111.20 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$60.34
$120.67
premium
$4.85
$65.60
$131.20
diesel
$4.80
$64.90
$129.79
Estimated Tolls: $23.51
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(19.2 mi)$0.96
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
$56
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$104–$129
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.1
1
$36.09
$16.50
Efficient EV
85.9
0
$30.07
$13.75
EV Truck/SUV
137.5
1
$48.12
$22.00
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Marion, NY
Morning
in Marion on Sunday
Local time
8:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Sunny
N 1 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Babylon, NY
Morning
in Babylon on Sunday
Local time
8:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Smoke
NW 5 to 9 mph0% 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
2 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 21m 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.
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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...
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...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 296.3
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 296.3
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
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 296.3
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 296.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 54% highway, meaning you'll spend over half the drive on major interstates. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 98.8 miles on I 81, offering a good period of uninterrupted travel. After leaving the interstate system, the profile shifts to mostly surface roads, so be prepared for more varied traffic and potentially more frequent stops. You'll notice the change from high-speed interstate travel to more controlled speeds and intersections as you get closer to Babylon.
Only 54% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
71 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 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 32.7 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 47 significant decision points across 343.7 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 32.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 297.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,909 ft7 ft
Total Climb
2,191 ft
Total Descent
2,643 ft
Highest Point
1,909 ft
~212.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,902 ft
Notable High Points
1,909 ft at ~212.3 miles+631 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Marion, NY and Babylon, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 21m. Total distance: 343.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 21m 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 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.51 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.
Yes — we found about 29 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 297.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Women's Rights National Historical Park and General Grant National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Babylon, NY before the return drive.
