Traveling from Oyster Bay to Altona is a substantial 342.5-mile journey that typically requires about 7 hours and 5 minutes behind the wheel. Given the length, this trip is best approached as a dedicated one-day push, though you should be prepared for a full day of travel. You will navigate a variety of corridors, including NY 17 and the Adirondack Northway, before finishing your trek on the Military Turnpike. Budget approximately $56 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Northeast locations. While the route is straightforward, the time commitment makes it a significant undertaking, so ensure your vehicle is ready for the long haul before heading out.
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
171.3 miles from Oyster Bay, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Adirondack Northway
145.9 mi
2h 49m
NY 17
111.7 mi
2h 8m
Military Turnpike
14.7 mi
20m
NJ 17
14.7 mi
18m
Northern Boulevard
13.4 mi
22m
I 787
9 mi
12m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Adirondack Northway
— 145.9 mi, about 2h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oyster Bay, NY and Altona, 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
112 mi·2 hr 8 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 23Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, TroyUse the slight right lane.
29
Continue on I 787
9.0 mi·12 min·I 787
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 787
0.4 mi·29 sec·NY 787
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 9WToward NY 7 West: Schenectady, Saratoga SpringsUse the right lane.
32
Merge onto NY 7
3.1 mi·3 min·NY 7
33
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 North: Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls
34
Merge onto I 87
146 mi·2 hr 49 min·Adirondack Northway
35
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 37Toward NY 3: Plattsburgh, Saranac Lake
36
Turn left onto NY 3
1.0 mi·1 min·State Route 3
37
Turn right onto NY 190
15 mi·20 min·Military Turnpike
38
Turn right onto CR 16
2.3 mi·5 min·Devils Den Road
39
Turn right onto CR 23
18 ft·0 sec·Miner Farm Road
40
Arrive at destination
CR 23
Trip Plan
To manage the 7-hour duration effectively, plan for at least two strategic stops to stretch your legs and refresh. Since you are facing a long day of travel, departing early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential congestion and ensure you arrive in Altona well before nightfall. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the final, more rural stretches of the Military Turnpike where services may be less frequent than on the major highways. Given that this is a single-day commitment, prioritize comfort and hydration to stay alert throughout the 342.5-mile journey. Having a pre-planned route for your two stops will help you maintain a steady rhythm and prevent fatigue from setting in.
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 171.3 miles from Oyster Bay, NY, or about 3h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.9 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 75 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.3 miles or 3h 36m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altona, 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 342.5 miles and 7h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 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 Adirondack Northway for about 145.9 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 28
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
$56.38 one way
$112.76 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$60.96
$121.92
premium
$4.92
$66.38
$132.77
diesel
$5.61
$75.62
$151.24
Estimated Tolls: $23.58
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
Military Turnpike
(14.7 mi)$1.03
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
$105–$130
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.8
1
$35.96
$16.44
Efficient EV
85.6
0
$29.97
$13.70
EV Truck/SUV
137
1
$47.95
$21.92
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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Oyster Bay, NY
Late night
in Oyster Bay on Sunday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 6 to 12 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Altona, NY
Late night
in Altona on Sunday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live 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
33 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 5m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving profile that balances high-speed efficiency with regional road navigation. With a highway share of 50%, the experience shifts between steady interstate cruising and more localized driving conditions. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 145.9 miles on the Adirondack Northway, which offers the most consistent pace of the entire trip. As you transition off the main highways and onto the Military Turnpike, the character of the road changes, requiring more focused attention. This blend of fast-paced transit and slower, secondary road segments keeps the drive engaging without becoming overly monotonous.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 145.9 mi on Adirondack Northway.
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 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 28 significant decision points across 342.5 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.
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 Altona, NY, road signs point toward Bronx, New England, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South and Gsp North - 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 5m. Total distance: 342.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 145.9 miles on Adirondack Northway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.58 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 Altona, 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Altona, NY before the return drive.
