The drive from Ramapo, NY to Lake Ronkonkoma, NY covers 78.2 miles and takes about 1h 53m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Long Island Expressway, NJ 17, NJ 4 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mostly highway.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.6 miles on Long Island Expressway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.71 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.1 miles from Ramapo, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
35.6 mi
48m
NJ 17
10.9 mi
14m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Orange Avenue
3.9 mi
5m
Clearview Expressway
3.2 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
I 95 EXPR
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 35.6 mi, about 48m
Traffic on I-495
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~4,880 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~521 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 24 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 Ramapo, NY and Lake Ronkonkoma, NY.
1
Start on Lake Street
153 ft·8 sec·Lake Street
2
Turn left onto Torne Brook Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Torne Brook Road
3
Turn right onto CR 95
1.1 mi·2 min·Torne Valley Road
4
Turn left onto NY 59
0.5 mi·44 sec·Orange Turnpike
5
Continue on NY 59
0.4 mi·37 sec·Orange Avenue
6
Continue on US 202; 59
3.5 mi·5 min·Orange Avenue
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
8
Merge onto NJ 17
11 mi·14 min·NJ 17
Use the right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
11
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
16
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
18
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
2.0 mi·2 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6BToward I 295 South: Throgs Neck BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
21
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 295
3.2 mi·3 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 4E-WToward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long IslandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 4EToward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
25
Merge onto I 495
36 mi·48 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 59Toward CR 93: Ocean Avenue, Ronkonkoma, OakdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
337 ft·9 sec·Express Drive South
28
Turn left onto CR 93
0.7 mi·1 min·Ocean Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
29
Continue on CR 93
0.9 mi·1 min·Rosevale Avenue
30
Continue on Gibbs Pond Road
0.3 mi·43 sec·Gibbs Pond Road
31
Turn right onto Margaret Drive
0.2 mi·56 sec·Margaret Drive
32
Arrive at destination
Margaret Drive
Trip Plan
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 Ramapo, NY, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.6 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 17 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.1 miles or 57m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Ronkonkoma, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ramapo, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ramapo, NY
This is one driving day of about 78.2 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Ramapo, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Long Island Expressway for about 35.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 39.1 miles from Ramapo, 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 17 and 75.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
17 mi into trip|~26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
8
31.9 mi into trip|~47m 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
8
39.7 mi into trip|~58m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
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 4E-W
Toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
8
39.8 mi into trip|~58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 4E
Toward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, East...
8
75.7 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward CR 93: Ocean Avenue, Ronkonkoma, Oakdale
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 59
Toward CR 93: Ocean Avenue, Ronkonkoma, Oakdale
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.71 one way
$25.42 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$13.76
$27.51
premium
$4.87
$14.98
$29.96
diesel
$5.40
$16.63
$33.27
Estimated Tolls: $22.59
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
Orange Turnpike
(0.5 mi)$0.04
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: 27.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.5
0
$8.21
$3.75
Efficient EV
19.6
0
$6.84
$3.13
EV Truck/SUV
31.3
0
$10.95
$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 26, 2026
Origin
Ramapo, NY
Afternoon
in Ramapo on Sunday
Local time
12:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Partly Sunny
NE 7 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 26 at 5:08AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 12:24AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Lake Ronkonkoma, NY
Afternoon
in Lake Ronkonkoma on Sunday
Local time
12:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
NE 8 to 12 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 26 at 5:08AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 12:24AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
5 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
1h 53m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
78.2 mi in 1h 53m, mostly highway — 35.6 mi of that is on Long Island Expressway.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.6 mi on Long Island Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Island Expressway and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.2 miles you will encounter 18 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 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.9 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ramapo, NY and Lake Ronkonkoma, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Eastern Long Island.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 78.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.6 miles on Long Island Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $22.59 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 Lake Ronkonkoma, 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 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.9 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lake Ronkonkoma, NY before heading back.
