Smithtown, NY to Van Buren, NY is 306.2 miles and takes about 6h 18m via I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, entirely within New York State. It's a largely straightforward drive that should feel familiar to anyone who has traveled these areas before. Given its single-day feasibility, it’s a good option for a quick trip or a leg of a longer journey.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
153.1 miles from Smithtown, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
129.5 mi
2h 33m
Christopher Columbus Highway
68.2 mi
1h 20m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Long Island Expressway
24.8 mi
33m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
I 690
8.4 mi
10m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Jericho Turnpike
4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 129.5 mi, about 2h 33m
Traffic on I-80
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 Smithtown, NY and Van Buren, 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 S1WToward I 495 West: New YorkUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 495 West: New YorkUse 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-SToward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 31NToward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse 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 33Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New EnglandUse 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 left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi·8 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
21
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
22
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
23
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.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 69Toward I 80 West: Paterson, HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 80
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
32
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
33
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
34
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
36
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
66 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: SyracuseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
0.2 mi·17 sec·I 81
Toward SyracuseUse the straight lane.
38
Continue on I-81
0.4 mi·26 sec·I-81
39
Continue on I 81
2.9 mi·4 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 690 West: Fairgrounds, BaldwinsvilleUse the slight right lane.
41
Merge onto I 690
8.4 mi·10 min·I 690
Toward Fairgrounds, BaldwinsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 2Toward Jones RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Turn left onto Jones Road
0.4 mi·49 sec·Jones Road
Use the left lane.
44
Turn right onto Van Buren Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Van Buren Road
45
Turn left onto Peck Road
88 ft·3 sec·Peck Road
46
Arrive at destination
Peck Road
Trip Plan
For this 6h 18m drive, leaving Smithtown in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With a total distance of 306.2 miles, a single stop for gas or a quick break should be sufficient, especially given the 129.5-mile stretch on I 81. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the end of that long highway segment, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is around $51, so budget accordingly. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility to depart a bit later if needed, but an earlier start ensures a relaxed pace.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 153.1 miles from Smithtown, NY, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.5 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 67 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.1 miles or 3h 16m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Van Buren, 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 306.2 miles and 6h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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 I 81 for about 129.5 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 33
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.6 and 49.1 — 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
49.1 mi into trip|~1h 9m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.60 one way
$107.19 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$58.08
$116.16
premium
$5.23
$63.05
$126.10
diesel
$6.28
$75.66
$151.32
Estimated Tolls: $23.11
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
Jericho Turnpike
(4 mi)$0.28
New Jersey Turnpike
(2 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
$54
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$102–$127
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
EV Charging Along Route
26 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Commack, NY - Tesla Supercharger
Commack, NY
Tesla
24 DCFC
North Babylon, NY - Tesla Supercharger
North Babylon, NY
Tesla
12 DCFC
Islandia, NY - Tesla Supercharger
Islandia, NY
Tesla
10 DCFC
Lake Grove, NY - Tesla Supercharger
Lake Grove, NY
Tesla
8 DCFC
Smithtown, NY - Tesla Supercharger
Smithtown, NY
Tesla
8 DCFC
Hauppauge, NY - Motor Parkway - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.9
1
$32.15
$14.70
Efficient EV
76.6
0
$26.79
$12.25
EV Truck/SUV
122.5
1
$42.87
$19.60
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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 Oct 22, 2026
Origin
Smithtown, NY
Morning
in Smithtown on Thursday
Local time
6:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Van Buren, NY
Morning
in Van Buren on Thursday
Local time
6:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Areas Of Fog
0 mph0% chanceLive 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
9 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
6h 18m 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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 52.8
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
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 42.2
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
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 52.8
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
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 52.8
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 52.8
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 52.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 69% of this 306.2-mile drive on highways, primarily I 81. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 129.5 miles on I 81. Expect the highway portion to conclude around the time you transition to Christopher Columbus Highway and I 380, where you'll encounter more local traffic and potentially more frequent exits. The overall feel is one of efficient travel on major arteries for most of the distance.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
46 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.5 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. 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 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 33 significant decision points across 306.2 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,916 ft24 ft
Total Climb
2,473 ft
Total Descent
2,029 ft
Highest Point
1,916 ft
~153.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,892 ft
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 Van Buren, NY, road signs point toward Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Upper Level and Njtp South: Hackensack - among others.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 18m. Total distance: 306.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.5 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.11 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 28 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 Van Buren, 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 28 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Van Buren, NY before the return drive.
