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Trip from Smithtown, NY to Ghent, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 42m

Distance

163.6 mi

263 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 29m ★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 48m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 34m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in Suffolk County, New York, United States

Smithtown, NY

Wikimedia Commons

town in New York state

Ghent, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 163.6-mile drive from Smithtown, NY, to Ghent, NY, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking about 3 hours and 42 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the Long Island Expressway, I-684, and the Taconic State Parkway, with 95% of the route being highway. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $27. Given its manageable length and primarily highway profile, it's well-suited as a day trip for those looking to travel between these two points in New York without needing an overnight stay. The drive offers a practical way to cover the distance with minimal fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

81.8 miles from Smithtown, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Taconic State Parkway 42.7 mi 57m
I 684 27 mi 31m
Long Island Expressway 24.8 mi 33m
I 84 15.4 mi 18m
Hutchinson River Parkway 13.5 mi 19m
State Highway 9H 7.4 mi 10m
State Route 66 6.9 mi 10m
State Highway 82 4.9 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Taconic State Parkway — 42.7 mi, about 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Smithtown, NY and Ghent, NY.

1

Start on NY 25; NY 25A

0.6 mi · 51 sec · West Main Street
2

Keep slight left at fork onto NY 25; NY 25A

179 ft · 5 sec · West Main Street
3

Continue on NY 25

4.0 mi · 6 min · Jericho Turnpike
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward SM South: Bay Shore
5

Merge onto SM

1.9 mi · 2 min · Sunken Meadow State Parkway
6

Continue on SA

0.8 mi · 49 sec · Sagtikos State Parkway
7

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Exit S1W Toward I 495 West: New York Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 495 West: New York Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Turn straight onto LIE North Service Road

0.4 mi · 33 sec · LIE North Service Road
10

Turn straight onto North Service Road

0.1 mi · 14 sec · North Service Road
11

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 495 West: New York
12

Merge onto I 495

25 mi · 33 min · Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 31N-S Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 31N Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15

Merge onto CI

3.1 mi · 4 min · Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

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.
17

Merge onto I 295

1.8 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
18

Continue on I 295

0.7 mi · 1 min · Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight right at fork onto I 695

1.8 mi · 2 min · Throgs Neck Expressway
Exit 10 Toward I 695 North: New Haven Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Merge onto I 95

1.0 mi · 1 min · Bruckner Expressway
21

Continue on I 95

0.2 mi · 18 sec · New England Thruway
22

Take the exit

430 ft · 14 sec
Exit 9 Toward Hutchinson Parkway North Use the slight right lane.
23

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward Hutchinson River Parkway North Use the straight / right lanes.
24

Merge onto HR

14 mi · 19 min · Hutchinson River Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Keep slight left at fork

1.6 mi · 2 min
Exit 16A Toward I 684 North: Brewster Use the slight left lane.
26

Merge onto I 684

26 mi · 30 min · I 684
27

Continue on I 684

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 684
Exit |; 9W|9E
28

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 1 min
Exit 9W Toward I 84 West: Newburgh Use the right lane.
29

Merge onto I 84

15 mi · 18 min · I 84
30

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 52B Toward Taconic State Parkway North, Albany Use the slight right lane.
31

Merge onto Taconic State Parkway

43 mi · 57 min · Taconic State Parkway
32

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward NY 82: Ancram, Hudson
33

Keep slight right at fork

401 ft · 14 sec
34

Turn straight onto NY 82

4.9 mi · 6 min · State Highway 82
35

Turn right onto NY 9H; NY 23

7.4 mi · 10 min · State Highway 9H
36

Turn right onto NY 66

6.9 mi · 10 min · State Route 66
37

Turn left onto Garage Place Road

57 ft · 2 sec · Garage Place Road
38

Arrive at destination

Garage Place Road

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 42-minute drive covering 163.6 miles, you can comfortably depart anytime in the morning to arrive in Ghent by afternoon. With only one suggested stop and a fuel cost of approximately $27, planning is minimal, giving you flexibility. The main roads include the Long Island Expressway, I-684, and the Taconic State Parkway. Keep an eye out for the transition onto the Taconic State Parkway, as it's the longest continuous stretch of your journey at 42.7 miles and offers a slightly different driving experience.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 81.8 miles from Smithtown, NY, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.7 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 36 miles or 50m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 81.8 miles or 1h 51m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ghent, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Smithtown, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Smithtown, NY

This is one driving day of about 163.6 miles and 3h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Smithtown, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Taconic State Parkway for about 42.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Westchester County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ossining, NY

82 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

Richmond Hill, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ossining, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 81.8 miles from Smithtown, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Lima 33 Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Little Neck, New York

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 35.1

Hours: 1–9 pm

+17182254949

Visit website

Hainan

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Flushing, New York

2.3 mi

Tombolinos Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Yonkers, New York

2.3 mi

Lima 33 Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 35.1

Little Neck, New York

Hours: 1–9 pm

+17182254949

Visit website

Hainan

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 35.1

Flushing, New York

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19175637223

Visit website

Tombolinos Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $30 to $50 mile 46.7

Yonkers, New York

Hours: 12–10 pm

+19142371266

Visit website

Luigi's Restaurant And Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately mile 35.1

Queens, New York

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+17183477136

Visit website

Shogun Japan Japanese restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately mile 35.1

Hollis, New York

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13322041966

Visit website

Crabtree's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour Moderately mile 35.1

Floral Park, New York

Hours: 12–10 pm

+15163267769

Visit website

Sabor Restaurant & Bakery

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 35.1

College Point, New York

Hours: 6:30 am–10 pm

+13473684407

Visit website

Mandy Bean Specialty Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 46.7

Yonkers, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+19149991010

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 23.4

Jericho, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 140.2

Ancram, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 81.8

Brewster, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 23.4

Syosset, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 23.4

Hicksville, NY

+18668167584

EVolve NY Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 81.8

Goldens Bridge, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 23.4

Jericho, New York

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 11.7

Plainview, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Long Island Welcome Center

0.1 mi from route

East Fishkill Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

Fred R. Harrison Service Complex

1.6 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.6 mi from route

Lake Taghkanic State Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 140.2

Ancram, New York

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15188513631

Visit website

Geiger Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 11.7

Deer Park, New York

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+16318932100

Visit website

Kensico Dam Plaza

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 58.4

Valhalla, New York

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+19142314033

Visit website

Cranberry Lake Preserve

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 58.4

West Harrison, New York

Hours: 9:30 am–4 pm

+19144281005

Visit website

Eisenhower Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 23.4

East Meadow, New York

+15165720348

Visit website

Walt Whitman Birthplace Association

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 11.7

Huntington Station, New York

Hours: 1–4 pm

+16314275240

Visit website

Long Island Children's Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 23.4

Garden City, New York

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+15162245800

Visit website

Lake Ronkonkoma County Park Home of Syag Sports

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Lake Ronkonkoma, New York

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16318544949

Visit website

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 7.6 and 39.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
7.6 mi into trip | ~10m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 West: New York

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 495 West: New York
8
33.3 mi into trip | ~46m in

Take the exit toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport

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 31N-S Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge,...
10
33.5 mi into trip | ~46m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 31N Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone B...
8
36.9 mi into trip | ~51m 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
39.9 mi into trip | ~57m in | I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway toward I 695 North: New Haven

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 10 Toward I 695 North: New Haven

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.93 one way

$53.86 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $29.12 $58.24
premium $4.92 $31.71 $63.42
diesel $5.61 $36.12 $72.24

Estimated Tolls: $6.83

Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55
Jericho Turnpike (4 mi) $0.28

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

$27

Tolls

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.1 0 $17.18 $7.85
Efficient EV 40.9 0 $14.31 $6.54
EV Truck/SUV 65.4 0 $22.90 $10.47

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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 18, 2026

Origin

Smithtown, NY

Night in Smithtown on Saturday

Local time

10:51 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Partly Sunny

SE 9 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 1:15PM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT

Destination

Ghent, NY

Night in Ghent on Saturday

Local time

10:51 PM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Mostly Sunny

SE 12 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 1:15PM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT

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

11 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

3h 42m 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.

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...

8 mi from route ~21 min detour Free near mile 39.5
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
View on nps.gov
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...

8 mi from route ~19 min detour Free near mile 39.5
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...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour Free near mile 39.5
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...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free near mile 39.5
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...

13 mi from route ~33 min detour Free near mile 39.5
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...

14 mi from route ~34 min detour Free near mile 39.5
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 163.6-mile route, with 95% of your travel occurring on major roads. The journey transitions from the familiar Long Island Expressway and I-684 to the Taconic State Parkway, which offers the longest uninterrupted stretch of 42.7 miles. While still a parkway, it generally maintains a higher speed limit than local roads, contributing to the overall highway feel. This drive is designed for efficient travel, prioritizing steady progress over frequent stops or winding scenic byways.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.7 mi on Taconic State Parkway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Taconic State Parkway and I 684. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 163.6 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 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Smithtown, NY and Ghent, NY, road signs point toward Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Hutchinson Parkway North and Hutchinson River Parkway North - among others.

Kennedy Airport

33.3 mi in | ~46m

Cross Island Parkway North

33.5 mi in | ~46m

Bronx

36.9 mi in | ~51m

New England

36.9 mi in | ~51m

Hutchinson Parkway North

42.9 mi in | ~1h 1m

Hutchinson River Parkway North

43 mi in | ~1h 1m

Taconic State Parkway North

100.9 mi in | ~2h 14m

Albany

100.9 mi in | ~2h 14m

Hudson

144 mi in | ~3h 13m

About the Cities

Starting in Smithtown, NY

Full guide →

Smithtown is a town of 117,000 people (2016) in Suffolk County, on Long Island, in New York. Smithtown is comprised of the villages and hamlets of Commack (in part, with the Town of Huntington), Fort Salonga (in part, with the Town of Huntington), Hauppauge (in part, with the Town of Islip), Head of the Harbor, Kings Park, Lake Ronkonkoma (in part with the Town of Brookhaven and Town of Islip), Nesconset, Nissequogue, Smithtown, St. James, & Village of the Branch.

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 3h 42m. Total distance: 163.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 42.7 miles on Taconic State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $6.83 in tolls one way, starting with Throgs Neck 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 8 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 Ghent, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.5 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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Ghent, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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