Oyster Bay to Alexandria Bay is 359.6 miles and takes about 7 hours 34 minutes via NY 17 and the New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region towards the northern part of the state. With a predominantly highway profile, you'll likely encounter a relatively straightforward drive. Planning for a single day is feasible given the duration, but consider your personal pace for comfort.
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
179.8 miles from Oyster Bay, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
117.5 mi
2h 15m
New York State Thruway
63 mi
1h 12m
State Highway 12
24.3 mi
31m
Bea Luck Road
19.8 mi
23m
State Route 37
15.9 mi
18m
NJ 17
14.7 mi
18m
Northern Boulevard
13.4 mi
22m
State Highway 28
11.7 mi
17m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 117.5 mi, about 2h 15m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,060 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,244 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 72 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 Oyster Bay, NY and Alexandria Bay, NY.
1
Start on Berry Hill Road
288 ft·21 sec·Berry Hill Road
2
Turn sharp left onto NY 106
429 ft·9 sec·South Street
3
Continue on NY 106
0.9 mi·1 min·Pine Hollow Road
4
Continue on NY 106
0.7 mi·1 min·Oyster Bay Road
5
Turn right onto NY 25A
13 mi·22 min·Northern Boulevard
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto CI
2.3 mi·3 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 33Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New EnglandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
10
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi·8 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
13
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
14
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
15
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.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 72AToward NJ 4 West: ParamusUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto NJ 4
6.7 mi·9 min·NJ 4
Use the slight right lane.
20
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.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: MahwahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
25
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
26
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
27
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
118 mi·2 hr 15 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
63 mi·1 hr 12 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 29AToward NY 169: Little Falls, DolgevilleUse the slight right lane.
30
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·54 sec·this road
31
Continue on NY 169
1.9 mi·2 min·NY 169
32
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5; NY 167; NY 169
0.7 mi·1 min·NY 5; NY 167; NY 169
33
Turn right onto NY 167
0.3 mi·36 sec·South Ann Street
34
At end of road, turn left onto NY 169
9.7 mi·15 min·West Monroe Street
35
Continue on NY 28
3.2 mi·4 min·State Highway 28
36
Continue on NY 28
1.2 mi·1 min·Main Street
37
Continue on NY 28
2.5 mi·3 min·State Highway 28
38
Continue on NY 28
1.4 mi·2 min·South Main Street
39
Continue on NY 8; NY 28
0.7 mi·1 min·State Highway 8
40
Turn right onto NY 28
6.0 mi·8 min·State Highway 28
41
Turn right onto NY 12
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 12
42
Continue on NY 12; NY 28
9.7 mi·11 min·Erwin Parkway
43
Continue on NY 12
0.8 mi·51 sec·State Highway 12
44
Continue on NY 12
20 mi·23 min·Bea Luck Road
45
Continue on NY 12
0.5 mi·1 min·Utica Boulevard
46
Continue on NY 12; NY 26
0.6 mi·1 min·South State Street
47
Turn left onto NY 12
0.5 mi·1 min·Dayan Street
48
Continue on NY 12
11 mi·13 min·State Highway 12
49
Continue on NY 12
0.3 mi·22 sec·County Road 14
50
Continue on NY 12
0.6 mi·38 sec·High Street
51
Continue on NY 12
0.6 mi·41 sec·Main Street
52
Continue on NY 12
1.4 mi·1 min·State Highway 12
53
Continue on NY 12
8.4 mi·9 min·Van Allen Road
54
Continue on NY 12
2.4 mi·2 min·Gifford Street
55
At end of road, turn left onto NY 12
1.8 mi·4 min·State Street
56
Turn right onto US 11; NY 12
1.4 mi·1 min·Mill Street
57
Enter roundabout onto US 11
122 ft·1 sec·US 11
58
Continue on US 11
0.6 mi·38 sec·US 11
59
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 37
16 mi·18 min·State Route 37
60
Continue on NY 26; NY 37
2.6 mi·3 min·State Highway 37
61
Turn left onto NY 26
4.7 mi·6 min·State Highway 26
62
Continue on NY 26
3.7 mi·5 min·State Highway 26
63
Continue on Church Street
0.3 mi·48 sec·Church Street
64
Arrive at destination
Church Street
Trip Plan
For this 7.5-hour drive, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid late-day fatigue. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 359.6 miles effectively. Consider your first stop after the longest stretch of 117.5 miles on NY 17. Given the fuel cost estimate of $60, keep an eye on your gauge, especially before heading onto longer highway sections. Since this drive is manageable in one day, you have flexibility to adjust your stop timing based on your energy levels.
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 179.8 miles from Oyster Bay, NY, or about 3h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.5 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 79 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.8 miles or 3h 44m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria Bay, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oyster Bay, 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 Oyster Bay, NY
This is one driving day of about 359.6 miles and 7h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Oyster Bay, 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 NY 17 for about 117.5 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.6 and 52.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
17.6 mi into trip|~29m 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
29.8 mi into trip|~47m 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
30.1 mi into trip|~48m 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
8
37.1 mi into trip|~57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
8
52.2 mi into trip|~1h 17m in|NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17 toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.94 one way
$125.89 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$68.21
$136.42
premium
$5.23
$74.04
$148.09
diesel
$6.18
$87.48
$174.96
Estimated Tolls: $25.70
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(63 mi)$3.15
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
$63
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$114–$139
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.9
1
$37.76
$17.26
Efficient EV
89.9
1
$31.47
$14.38
EV Truck/SUV
143.8
1
$50.34
$23.01
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Oyster Bay, NY
Evening
in Oyster Bay on Tuesday
Local time
6:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Clear
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Alexandria Bay, NY
Evening
in Alexandria Bay on Tuesday
Local time
6:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Clear
S 7 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 34m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 24.8
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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 24.8
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 24.8
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 24.8
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 24.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 63% of the drive on major roads like NY 17 and the New York State Thruway. You'll experience a long stretch of 117.5 miles on NY 17, which will likely feel like consistent cruising. After the highway segments, you'll transition to State Highway 12 for the remainder of the trip, offering a change of pace from the high-speed sections.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
64 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.5 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and New York State Thruway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.6 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 30 significant decision points across 359.6 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 17.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,240 ft46 ft
Total Climb
1,466 ft
Total Descent
1,244 ft
Highest Point
1,240 ft
~308.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,194 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Oyster Bay, NY and Alexandria Bay, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark and Mahwah - among others.
Oyster Bay is one of three towns in Nassau County, on Long Island, New York.
The town of Oyster Bay comprises a large portion of eastern Nassau County and includes a slew of villages and other communities. This article covers North Oyster Bay – the area closest to Oyster Bay itself (in other words, everything that is north of the Long Island Expressway). See South Oyster Bay for the southern half of the town (in other words, the area south of the expressway). See the article for Glen Cove for communities in the northwest part of the town that are closest to that city.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 34m. Total distance: 359.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 34m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 117.5 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $25.70 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 Alexandria Bay, 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 17.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.1 miles: 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alexandria Bay, NY before the return drive.
