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Trip from North Elba, 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

6h 40m

Distance

322.1 mi

518 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
6h 29m ★
6 AM
6h 41m
8 AM
7h 4m
10 AM
6h 49m
12 PM
6h 47m
3 PM
6h 50m
5 PM
7h 3m
8 PM
6h 33m

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

town in New York, United States

North Elba, NY

Wikimedia Commons

town in Suffolk County, New York, United States

Islip, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 322.1-mile drive from North Elba, NY, to Islip, NY, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 6 hours and 40 minutes. Primarily utilizing I 87 and the Southern State Parkway, you'll experience a highway-focused journey. With a projected fuel cost of around $53, it's an accessible trip for many. The route covers a significant distance, making it a solid day trip, though you could split it if you prefer a more relaxed pace. This drive keeps you within the Northeast region, offering a straightforward path south.

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

161.1 miles from North Elba, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 87 118.6 mi 2h 17m
Adirondack Northway 103.7 mi 2h 1m
Southern State Parkway 24.7 mi 31m
State Highway 73 18.7 mi 27m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Cross Bronx Expressway 6.6 mi 8m
Clearview Expressway 5 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 87 — 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on NY 73

3.7 mi · 4 min · Cascade Road
2

Continue on NY 73

7.2 mi · 10 min · State Highway 73
3

Turn straight onto NY 9N; NY 73

1.8 mi · 3 min · State Highway 9N
4

Continue on NY 73

11 mi · 16 min · State Highway 73
5

Turn straight onto US 9

2.1 mi · 2 min · US 9
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 87 South
7

Merge onto I 87

104 mi · 2 hr 1 min · Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87

0.3 mi · 31 sec · I 87
Exit 1E-W Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo Use the slight right lane.
9

Continue on I 87

0.5 mi · 51 sec · I 87
Exit 1W Toward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87

118 mi · 2 hr 16 min · I 87
Toward I 87 South: New York Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

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.
12

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
13

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.
14

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
16

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4
Use the right lane.
17

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
21

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
23

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

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.
25

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
26

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Continue on NY 24

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
29

At end of road, turn left onto NY 24

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
30

Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue

0.9 mi · 2 min · Hempstead Avenue
31

Turn right onto 225th Street

228 ft · 9 sec · 225th Street
Use the right lane.
32

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
33

Merge onto CI

1.3 mi · 1 min · Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 25A Toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island Use the slight left / straight lanes.
35

Merge onto SO

25 mi · 31 min · Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Keep slight left at fork onto SO

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 41S Toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore Use the slight right lane.
38

Turn straight onto CR 57

0.5 mi · 1 min · Bay Shore Road
39

Continue on CR 57

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Howells Road
40

Turn straight onto CR 57

341 ft · 6 sec · Sunrise Highway
41

Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57

0.6 mi · 1 min · Howells Road
Toward Howells Road South Use the right lane.
42

Continue on CR 57

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Roosevelt Street
43

Continue on CR 57

0.7 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue
44

At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
45

Continue on Montauk Highway

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Montauk Highway
46

Continue on NY 27A

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
47

Arrive at destination

NY 27A

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour, 40-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from North Elba to bypass potential traffic, especially as you approach the New York City metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing, but keeping an eye on your fuel level is wise, particularly during the 118.6-mile stretch on I 87. Factor in the $53 fuel estimate when budgeting. The Southern State Parkway can experience congestion, so allow extra time for that final leg into Islip.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.1 miles from North Elba, NY, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 71 miles or 1h 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 161.1 miles or 3h 16m 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 18m

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 North Elba, 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 North Elba, NY

This is one driving day of about 322.1 miles and 6h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from North Elba, 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 I 87 for about 118.6 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

161 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

South Glens Falls, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Stockport, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 161.1 miles from North Elba, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.6 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 130.3 and 317.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
130.3 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in | I 87

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 1E-W Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
9
248.9 mi into trip | ~4h 58m 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
250.3 mi into trip | ~4h 59m 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
279.4 mi into trip | ~5h 39m 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
9
317.5 mi into trip | ~6h 31m 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

$53.02 one way

$106.04 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 113 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $57.33 $114.66
premium $4.92 $62.43 $124.86
diesel $5.61 $71.12 $142.23

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

$53

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$101–$126

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 112.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 96.6 1 $33.82 $15.46
Efficient EV 80.5 0 $28.18 $12.88
EV Truck/SUV 128.8 1 $45.09 $20.61

Gas CO2

113 kg

EV CO2

38 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 20, 2026

Origin

North Elba, NY

Morning in North Elba on Tuesday

Local time

11:51 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Islip, NY

Morning in Islip on Tuesday

Local time

11:51 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

63°F

Ramapo, NY

161 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

14 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

6h 40m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 63% of the drive on interstates and parkways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 118.6 miles on I 87, offering an extended period of consistent speed. The Adirondack Northway will transition you southward, eventually leading to the Southern State Parkway as you approach your destination. While largely highway, be prepared for potential traffic variations as you get closer to Long Island. This route is built for covering ground efficiently.

63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.6 mi on I 87.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 87 and Adirondack Northway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 130.3 miles in near I 87.

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 322.1 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 130.3 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 250.3 miles (NJ 17): 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 North Elba, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and Cross Island Parkway South - among others.

Albany

130.3 mi in | ~2h 40m | via I 87

New York

130.3 mi in | ~2h 40m | via I 87

Buffalo

130.3 mi in | ~2h 40m | via I 87

Gsp South: Paterson

264.4 mi in | ~5h 18m

Fort Lee

264.4 mi in | ~5h 18m

Cross Island Parkway South

290.8 mi in | ~5h 56m

Southern State Parkway East

292.3 mi in | ~5h 58m

Eastern Long Island

292.3 mi in | ~5h 58m

About the Cities

Starting in North Elba, NY

Full guide →

Top landmarks

  • John Brown Farm State Historic Site — historical landmark

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 6h 40m. Total distance: 322.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 40m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 118.6 miles on I 87. 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.

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 130.3 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 250.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Islip, NY before the return drive.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Islip, NY to North Elba, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

322.3 mi 6h 41m

Explore more options from North Elba, NY or browse trips ending in Islip, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.