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Trip from Oyster Bay, NY to Chester, 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

1h 50m

Distance

78.1 mi

126 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 42m ★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 45m

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

town on Long Island, New York, United States

Oyster Bay, NY

Wikimedia Commons

city in Cheshire, England

Chester, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Oyster Bay to Chester is 78.1 miles and takes about 1 hour 50 minutes via NY 17 and NJ 17, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. The drive is largely focused on highway travel, offering a straightforward path between these two locations. Expect a practical journey with minimal detours, ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B. You'll experience the Northeast's familiar highway landscape throughout this relatively short drive.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

39.1 miles from Oyster Bay, NY

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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NY 17 22.7 mi 26m
NJ 17 14.7 mi 18m
Northern Boulevard 13.4 mi 22m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Cross Bronx Expressway 6.6 mi 8m
Cross Island Parkway 2.3 mi 3m
Throgs Neck Bridge 1.8 mi 3m
I 95 EXPR 1.2 mi 1m
Longest stretch: NY 17 — 22.7 mi, about 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Oyster Bay, NY and Chester, 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 Bridge Use 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 33 Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England Use 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: Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 72A Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus Use 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, Mahwah Use the straight lane.
21

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah Use 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

14 mi · 16 min · NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
28

Take the exit

1.5 mi · 3 min
Exit 16 Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman Use the slight right lane.
29

Continue on this road

152 ft · 3 sec · this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 30 sec
Toward NY 17 West: Binghamton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Continue on NY 17

8.4 mi · 9 min · NY 17
32

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 126 Toward NY 94: Florida, Chester
33

Turn right onto NY 94

0.1 mi · 17 sec · State Highway 94
Use the right lane.
34

Continue on NY 94

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Academy Avenue
Use the straight lane.
35

At end of road, turn left onto NY 94

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Main Street
36

Continue on NY 94

0.3 mi · 36 sec · High Street
37

Turn right onto King Street

38 ft · 2 sec · King Street
38

Turn left onto Railroad Avenue

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Railroad Avenue
39

Arrive at destination

Railroad Avenue

Trip Plan

Given its manageable 1 hour 50 minute duration, this drive is easily accomplished in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave when traffic is lightest to maximize your travel time on the highway sections. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, you should have no concerns about finding refueling opportunities along the main roads. The longest stretch without a significant change is 22.7 miles, so plan for minimal, if any, stops. A practical tip: keep an eye on your GPS for the transition from NY 17 to NJ 17 to ensure you stay on the most direct path.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.1 miles from Oyster Bay, NY, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.7 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 17 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 39.1 miles or 1h in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chester, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Oyster Bay, NY

This is one driving day of about 78.1 miles and 1h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Oyster Bay, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NY 17 for about 22.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Westchester County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Yonkers, NY

39 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Hillside, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Inwood, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.1 miles from Oyster Bay, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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 25

5 decision points cluster between mile 17.6 and 66.5 — 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
66.5 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in

Take the exit toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman

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 16 Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.86 one way

$25.71 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $13.90 $27.80
premium $4.92 $15.14 $30.27
diesel $5.61 $17.24 $34.49

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

$13

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.4 0 $8.20 $3.75
Efficient EV 19.5 0 $6.83 $3.12
EV Truck/SUV 31.2 0 $10.93 $5.00

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 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

Oyster Bay, NY

Morning in Oyster Bay on Tuesday

Local time

7:46 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chester, NY

Morning in Chester on Tuesday

Local time

7:46 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°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

1 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

1h 50m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 26.9
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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 29.6
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 ~21 min detour Free near mile 29.6
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 ~25 min detour Free near mile 29.6
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...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 29.6
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 ~27 min detour Free near mile 29.6
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 71% of it utilizing major roads like NY 17 and NJ 17. You'll encounter stretches of consistent speed, including a longest uninterrupted segment of 22.7 miles on NY 17. While Northern Boulevard offers a change of pace, the overall character leans towards efficient, faster travel. The road mostly maintains its highway personality, making it a predictable and relatively quick journey. Prepare for a driving experience that prioritizes getting you to your destination without excessive scenic diversions.

71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22.7 mi on NY 17.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. 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 Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.1 miles you will encounter 25 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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 Chester, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Gsp South - among others.

Cross Island Parkway North

15.1 mi in | ~25m

Bronx

17.6 mi in | ~29m

New England

17.6 mi in | ~29m

Upper Level

27.3 mi in | ~43m | via I 95; US 1

Njtp South: Hackensack

29.8 mi in | ~47m

Gsp South

36.9 mi in | ~57m

Gsp North

36.9 mi in | ~57m

Newark

36.9 mi in | ~57m

Mahwah

36.9 mi in | ~57m

New York State Thruway North: Albany

52.2 mi in | ~1h 17m | via NY 17

About the Cities

Starting in Oyster Bay, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1667

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.

Top landmarks

  • Christ Church — historic Episcopal parish in Oyster Bay, New York, USA

Arriving in Chester, NY

Full guide →

Founded 79

The Town of Chester is made of several communities in the Adirondacks around the small hamlet of Chestertown. Other hamlets within the town boundaries include Pottersville, Friends Lake, Loon Lake, and Schroon Lake. Of the three lakes, only Loon Lake has a public beach—for the others you'll have to check into a B&B.

Top landmarks

  • Chester Cathedral — Grade I listed cathedral in Chester, United Kingdom
  • Castra Deva Victrix — Roman fort

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 1h 50m. Total distance: 78.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 22.7 miles on NY 17. 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.

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 Chester, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Chester, NY before heading back.

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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