Penfield, NY to Sheepshead Bay, NY is 317.9 miles and takes about 7h via I 81, Keystone Shortway, and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, entirely within New York State. You'll spend a good chunk of time on highways, but also navigate some surface roads as you get closer to your destination. It's a solid option if you're looking for a direct route without too many complex turns or detours, suitable for a single-day transit.
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
159 miles from Penfield, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
63.3 mi
1h 19m
New York State Thruway
30 mi
34m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Essex Freeway
15.8 mi
20m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 196 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,254 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,020
Quietest
1 AM
~471 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Penfield, NY and Sheepshead Bay, NY.
1
Start on NY 441
121 ft·6 sec·Penfield Road
2
Turn left onto CR 18
0.5 mi·1 min·Five Mile Line Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Continue on CR 17
0.2 mi·23 sec·Whitney Road
4
Turn right onto CR 15
0.1 mi·27 sec·East Linden Avenue
5
Turn left onto Bluff Drive
0.3 mi·49 sec·Bluff Drive
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on CR 36
0.9 mi·2 min·North Lincoln Road
7
Continue on CR 38
1.6 mi·3 min·Marsh Road
8
Turn left onto NY 31
0.4 mi·39 sec·Palmyra Road
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 490 East, I 90: VictorUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 490
5.2 mi·6 min·Eastern Expressway
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
12
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
15
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
16
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
18
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
20
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
21
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
22
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
23
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
24
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
25
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
26
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
27
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
28
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
29
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
30
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
31
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
32
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
34
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
37
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
38
Merge onto I 80
63 mi·1 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
40
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
41
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
42
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
45
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
46
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight lane.
47
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
48
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
49
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
50
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
51
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
52
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
53
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
54
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
55
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
56
Take the exit onto NY 27
1.5 mi·2 min·NY 27
Exit 24Toward NY 27 East: Prospect ExpresswayUse the slight left / straight lanes.
57
Take the exit onto NY 27
0.4 mi·47 sec·NY 27
Exit 5Toward NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical CenterUse the slight right lane.
58
Turn left onto NY 27
0.3 mi·45 sec·Caton Avenue
59
Turn right onto NY 27
2.7 mi·5 min·Coney Island Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
60
Turn left onto Avenue P
0.5 mi·1 min·Avenue P
Use the left lane.
61
Turn right onto Ocean Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Ocean Avenue
62
Turn left onto Avenue Y
0.3 mi·1 min·Avenue Y
Use the left lane.
63
Arrive at destination
Avenue Y
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour estimated drive time, leaving Penfield in the morning should allow you to reach Sheepshead Bay comfortably within daylight hours. With two planned stops, you can break up the drive effectively, perhaps around the 98.8-mile mark on I 81 for your first break. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $52, and plan your final refueling accordingly before you start navigating the surface roads closer to your destination. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your timing for stops.
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 159 miles from Penfield, NY, or about 3h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 70 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159 miles or 3h 30m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sheepshead Bay, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Penfield, 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 Penfield, NY
This is one driving day of about 317.9 miles and 7h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Penfield, 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 I 81 for about 98.8 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 45
5 decision points cluster between mile 40.2 and 307.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
40.2 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
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 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
7
137.2 mi into trip|~3h 4m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
190.5 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
302.8 mi into trip|~6h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
8
307.9 mi into trip|~6h 40m in
Take the exit toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 2
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.43 one way
$102.85 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$55.81
$111.62
premium
$4.85
$60.68
$121.35
diesel
$4.80
$60.03
$120.05
Estimated Tolls: $17.64
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30 mi)$1.50
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.14
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
$51
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.4
1
$33.38
$15.26
Efficient EV
79.5
0
$27.82
$12.72
EV Truck/SUV
127.2
1
$44.51
$20.35
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Penfield, NY
Late night
in Penfield on Monday
Local time
3:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Sheepshead Bay, NY
Late night
in Sheepshead Bay on Monday
Local time
3:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Areas Of Smoke
SW 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
159 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
2 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
7h 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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 317.9
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is a mix, with 54% of the total 317.9 miles on highways like I 81 and the New York State Thruway. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 98.8 miles on I 81 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a mostly surface road profile for the latter part of the trip, which can mean more local traffic and varied speed limits as you approach Sheepshead Bay.
Only 54% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
63 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 40.2 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 45 significant decision points across 317.9 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 40.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.2 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 190.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,907 ft12 ft
Total Climb
2,055 ft
Total Descent
2,464 ft
Highest Point
1,907 ft
~204.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,895 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Penfield, NY and Sheepshead Bay, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, Newark and Cr 508 East: Jersey City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h. Total distance: 317.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $17.64 in tolls one way, starting with Holland Tunnel. 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.
Yes — we found about 33 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Sheepshead 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. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 40.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.2 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 190.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sheepshead Bay, NY before the return drive.
