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Trip from Menands, NY to Islip, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 1m

Distance

190.8 mi

307 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 49m ★
6 AM
4h 2m
8 AM
4h 28m
10 AM
4h 11m
12 PM
4h 8m
3 PM
4h 12m
5 PM
4h 26m
8 PM
3h 54m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

village in Albany County, New York, United States

Menands, NY

Wikimedia Commons

town in Suffolk County, New York, United States

Islip, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 190.8-mile drive from Menands, NY to Islip, NY is comfortably manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 1 minute. The route utilizes major arteries like the New York State Thruway and the Southern State Parkway, with a notable portion on NJ 17. With an estimated fuel cost of $31, it's an economical choice for traversing the Northeast region. The drive offers a mixed driving profile, suggesting a blend of highway speeds and potentially some more varied road conditions. Given its duration and straightforward path, this trip works well for a focused journey without the need for an overnight stop.

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

95.4 miles from Menands, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 111.2 mi 2h 8m
Southern State Parkway 24.7 mi 31m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Cross Bronx Expressway 6.6 mi 8m
Clearview Expressway 5 mi 5m
I 787 4.8 mi 6m
Throgs Neck Bridge 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 111.2 mi, about 2h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Menands, NY and Islip, NY.

1

Start on NY 32

0.5 mi · 1 min · Broadway
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
3

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
4

Merge onto I 787

4.1 mi · 5 min · I 787
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Continue on I 787

0.6 mi · 1 min · I 787
Exit 1 Toward I 87 Toll: New York State Thruway
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1
7

Merge onto I 87

111 mi · 2 hr 8 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17

0.9 mi · 59 sec · NY 17
Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey Use the slight right lane.
9

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
10

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17

14 mi · 18 min · NJ 17
Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah Use the slight left / straight lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
13

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4
Use the right lane.
14

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
18

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
20

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight right at fork onto I 295

2.0 mi · 2 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6B Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
23

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Continue on NY 24

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
26

At end of road, turn left onto NY 24

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
27

Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue

0.9 mi · 2 min · Hempstead Avenue
28

Turn right onto 225th Street

228 ft · 9 sec · 225th Street
Use the right lane.
29

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
30

Merge onto CI

1.3 mi · 1 min · Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 25A Toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island Use the slight left / straight lanes.
32

Merge onto SO

25 mi · 31 min · Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33

Keep slight left at fork onto SO

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 41S Toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore Use the slight right lane.
35

Turn straight onto CR 57

0.5 mi · 1 min · Bay Shore Road
36

Continue on CR 57

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Howells Road
37

Turn straight onto CR 57

341 ft · 6 sec · Sunrise Highway
38

Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57

0.6 mi · 1 min · Howells Road
Toward Howells Road South Use the right lane.
39

Continue on CR 57

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Roosevelt Street
40

Continue on CR 57

0.7 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue
41

At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
42

Continue on Montauk Highway

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Montauk Highway
43

Continue on NY 27A

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
44

Arrive at destination

NY 27A

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour drive, departing earlier in the day, perhaps before peak commuting hours, can help you avoid heavier traffic, especially as you approach Long Island. While the drive is well within a single day's capacity, there's only one recommended stop, so plan for it strategically. The longest stretch covers over 111 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $31 estimated cost suggests a need for at least one fill-up. This route's manageable length means you have flexibility to adjust your pace as needed.

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 95.4 miles from Menands, NY, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.2 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 42 miles or 52m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 95.4 miles or 1h 53m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Islip, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Menands, 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 Menands, NY

This is one driving day of about 190.8 miles and 4h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Menands, 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 111.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

95 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.

Popular next leg

Ramapo, NY to Islip, NY

74.7 mi · 1h 48m

Pacing Suggestions

Athens, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ramapo, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 95.4 miles from Menands, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.2 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 26

5 decision points cluster between mile 117.6 and 186.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
117.6 mi into trip | ~2h 19m 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
118.9 mi into trip | ~2h 20m 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
148 mi into trip | ~3h 1m 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
161 mi into trip | ~3h 19m 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...
9
186.2 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in

Take the exit toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore

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 41S Toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.41 one way

$62.81 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 67 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $33.96 $67.92
premium $4.92 $36.98 $73.96
diesel $5.61 $42.13 $84.25

Estimated Tolls: $28.11

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55
New York State Thruway (111.2 mi) $5.56

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

$31

Tolls

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$85–$110

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 66.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 57.2 0 $20.03 $9.16
Efficient EV 47.7 0 $16.70 $7.63
EV Truck/SUV 76.3 0 $26.71 $12.21

Gas CO2

67 kg

EV CO2

22 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 20, 2026

Origin

Menands, NY

Afternoon in Menands on Tuesday

Local time

1:07 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Islip, NY

Afternoon in Islip on Tuesday

Local time

1:07 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

63°F

Ramapo, NY

95 mi in

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

15 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

4h 1m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 144.7
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 144.7
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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 ~23 min detour Free near mile 144.7
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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 144.7
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

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 ~29 min detour Free near mile 144.7
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free near mile 144.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

The personality of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 35% of the journey on high-speed roads. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 111.2 miles along the New York State Thruway, offering a chance to maintain a steady pace. As you progress, the route transitions, incorporating the Southern State Parkway and NJ 17, which may introduce more varied traffic patterns and road types. This mixed drive profile means you’ll encounter both efficient cruising and segments requiring closer attention to your surroundings.

35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.2 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 117.6 miles in near NY 17.

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 26 significant decision points across 190.8 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 117.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.9 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148 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 Menands, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York, Cross Island Parkway South, Southern State Parkway East and Eastern Long Island.

Gsp South: Paterson

133 mi in | ~2h 39m

Fort Lee

133 mi in | ~2h 39m

New York

133 mi in | ~2h 39m

Cross Island Parkway South

159.4 mi in | ~3h 17m

Southern State Parkway East

161 mi in | ~3h 19m

Eastern Long Island

161 mi in | ~3h 19m

About the Cities

Arriving 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

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 4h 1m. Total distance: 190.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 111.2 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $28.11 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 Islip, 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 117.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.9 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148 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 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Islip, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.

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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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