This 352.7-mile journey from Sanford, NY to Oyster Bay, NY will take approximately 7 hours and 35 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing the Southern Tier Expressway and I-81, about 60% of this route involves highway driving. With a fuel cost estimated at $58, this drive is well-suited as a single-day trip, though you'll want to plan for at least two stops. The route traverses within the Northeast region, connecting two points within New York State. Expect a practical, straightforward drive focused on covering distance efficiently.
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
176.3 miles from Sanford, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 52m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 336 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,190 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,979
Quietest
1 AM
~446 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Sanford, NY and Oyster Bay, NY.
1
Start on Sanford Hollow Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Sanford Hollow Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto NY 417
0.7 mi·1 min·Portville-Ceres Road
3
Continue on NY 417
3.4 mi·5 min·Main Street
4
Continue on NY 417
0.3 mi·36 sec·State Highway 417
5
Continue on NY 417
0.4 mi·47 sec·Main Street
6
Turn right onto NY 417
0.6 mi·53 sec·Wellsville Street
7
Continue on NY 417
5.5 mi·8 min·Bolivar-Allentown Road
8
Continue on NY 417
6.5 mi·9 min·Bolivar Road
9
Turn right onto NY 19; NY 417
1.5 mi·2 min·Wellsville Bypass
10
Continue on NY 417
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Highway 417
11
Continue on NY 417
0.3 mi·24 sec·East Dyke Street
12
Continue on NY 417
4.4 mi·6 min·Andover Road
13
Continue on NY 417
2.8 mi·4 min·State Highway 417
14
Continue on NY 417
1.1 mi·1 min·East Chestnut Street
15
Continue on NY 417
15 mi·22 min·State Highway 417
16
At end of road, turn left onto NY 36; NY 417
1.2 mi·1 min·State Highway 36
17
Turn right onto NY 417
16 mi·24 min·State Highway 417
18
Continue on NY 417
0.7 mi·1 min·Tuscarora Street
19
Continue on NY 417
0.2 mi·13 sec·Main Street
20
Continue on NY 417
1.1 mi·1 min·Front Street
21
Continue on NY 417
365 ft·6 sec·State Highway 417
22
Continue on NY 417
3.5 mi·5 min·Addison Road
23
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 15 North
24
Merge onto I 99; US 15
3.6 mi·4 min·I 99; US 15
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 13A-BToward I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamton
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 13AToward I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamton
27
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
80 mi·1 hr 34 min·Southern Tier Expressway
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
29
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.
30
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.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
32
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
33
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
37
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
39
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
41
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
42
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
44
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
46
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
48
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
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.
50
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
51
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·2 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
53
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 5Toward NY 25A: Northern BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
54
Continue on Clearview Expressway
457 ft·17 sec·Clearview Expressway
55
Turn left onto NY 25A
15 mi·24 min·Northern Boulevard
Use the left lane.
56
Turn left onto NY 106
0.3 mi·29 sec·Jericho Oyster Bay Road
57
Turn straight onto NY 106
0.5 mi·46 sec·Oyster Bay Road
58
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 106
260 ft·4 sec·Oyster Bay Road
59
Continue on NY 106
0.9 mi·1 min·Pine Hollow Road
Use the left lane.
60
Continue on NY 106
105 ft·5 sec·South Street
61
Turn right onto Berry Hill Road
112 ft·9 sec·Berry Hill Road
62
Continue on Berry Hill Road
64 ft·2 sec·Berry Hill Road
63
Arrive at destination
Berry Hill Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Sanford to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With two planned stops, you can break up the 352.7 miles effectively, perhaps using one for a longer break and the other for a quick refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the longest stretch of 80.1 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway, to avoid any unexpected delays. The estimated $58 fuel cost is a good benchmark for budgeting this trip.
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 176.3 miles from Sanford, NY, or about 3h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.1 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 78 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.3 miles or 3h 52m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oyster Bay, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sanford, 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 Sanford, NY
This is one driving day of about 352.7 miles and 7h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Sanford, 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 80.1 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 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 70.5 and 329.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
70.5 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 13A-B
Toward I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamt...
9
205.3 mi into trip|~4h 26m 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
319.8 mi into trip|~6h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
320.1 mi into trip|~6h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
329.5 mi into trip|~6h 57m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.45 one way
$116.89 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.57
$63.39
$126.78
premium
$4.99
$69.29
$138.58
diesel
$5.13
$71.29
$142.58
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
$58
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$106–$131
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-20.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.8
1
$37.03
$16.93
Efficient EV
88.2
1
$30.86
$14.11
EV Truck/SUV
141.1
1
$49.38
$22.57
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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 21, 2026
Origin
Sanford, NY
Late night
in Sanford on Thursday
Local time
4:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 to 10 mph70% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 21 at 6:48PM EDT until July 21 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 21 at 6:47PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Destination
Oyster Bay, NY
Late night
in Oyster Bay on Thursday
Local time
4:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 9 to 14 mph96% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 21 at 6:48PM EDT until July 21 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 21 at 6:47PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
81°F
Barton, NY
176 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
15 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 35m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 328.4
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 328.4
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
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 328.4
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 328.4
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
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 328.4
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 328.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mix of experiences behind the wheel. While 60% of the drive is on highways like the Southern Tier Expressway and I-81, the overall profile is described as 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting transitions between faster sections and more winding local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 80.1 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway, providing a solid period of consistent travel. As you progress, be prepared for the road character to shift, moving from open highway to more intricate local segments.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
63 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.1 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 70.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 32 significant decision points across 352.7 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 70.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.3 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 319.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,896 ft32 ft
Total Climb
1,883 ft
Total Descent
3,346 ft
Highest Point
1,896 ft
~226.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,864 ft
Notable High Points
1,896 ft at ~226.7 miles+863 ft prominence
813 ft at ~277.1 miles+523 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sanford, NY and Oyster Bay, NY, road signs point toward Binghamton, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - 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.
Top landmarks
•Christ Church — historic Episcopal parish in Oyster Bay, New York, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 35m. Total distance: 352.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 35m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.1 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. 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.
Yes — we found about 27 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 Oyster 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 70.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.3 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 319.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange 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 Oyster Bay, NY before the return drive.
