This 294.5-mile drive from Solvay, NY, to Babylon, NY, is designed as a single-day adventure, clocking in at around 6 hours and 4 minutes. With 66% of the journey on highways, it's a predominantly interstate experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $48, making it a budget-friendly option. This route focuses on efficient travel across the Northeast region, connecting two points within New York. It's a straightforward trip that allows for flexibility, as you won't need an overnight stop.
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
147.2 miles from Solvay, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
128.7 mi
2h 32m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Southern State Parkway
18 mi
22m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Christopher Columbus Highway
5.5 mi
5m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
I 84
3.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 128.7 mi, about 2h 32m
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 Solvay, NY and Babylon, NY.
1
Start on Woods Road
291 ft·18 sec·Woods Road
2
Turn left onto Hall Avenue
0.2 mi·54 sec·Hall Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto Milton Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Milton Avenue
4
Turn left onto Erie Boulevard West
230 ft·8 sec·Erie Boulevard West
5
Turn left onto Willis Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Willis Avenue
6
At end of road, turn right
0.3 mi·34 sec
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward I 690 East
8
Merge onto I 690
2.4 mi·3 min·I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 81 South: BinghamtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 81
2.8 mi·4 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I-81
0.8 mi·48 sec·I-81
12
Continue on I 81
73 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
14
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.
15
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.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
17
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
18
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
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.
20
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.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
24
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
26
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
27
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
29
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
31
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
33
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
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.
35
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
36
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
39
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
40
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
41
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
42
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
43
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
45
Merge onto SO
18 mi·22 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 33Toward NY 109 East: BabylonUse the slight right lane.
47
Turn slight right onto NY 109
3.5 mi·5 min·Farmingdale Road
Use the left lane.
48
Continue on NY 109
0.9 mi·1 min·Little East Neck Road North
49
Turn left onto NY 27A
0.5 mi·49 sec·West Main Street
50
Turn right onto South Carll Avenue
68 ft·2 sec·South Carll Avenue
51
Arrive at destination
South Carll Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, departing Solvay early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic as you approach Babylon. Given the 294.5-mile distance and the highway-focused nature, you'll likely only need one planned stop for fuel or a quick break. The $48 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 128.7 miles on I-81. Don't overthink stops; a single well-timed break should suffice for this manageable day 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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 147.2 miles from Solvay, NY, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.7 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 65 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.2 miles or 2h 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 4h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Babylon, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Solvay, 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 Solvay, NY
This is one driving day of about 294.5 miles and 6h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Solvay, 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 128.7 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 37
5 decision points cluster between mile 133.7 and 271 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
133.7 mi into trip|~2h 42m 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
248.3 mi into trip|~4h 58m 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
248.6 mi into trip|~4h 58m 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
258 mi into trip|~5h 12m 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
271 mi into trip|~5h 31m in
Take the exit toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 25A
Toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Lon...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.55 one way
$103.10 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$55.86
$111.72
premium
$5.23
$60.64
$121.28
diesel
$6.28
$72.77
$145.53
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
$52
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.4
1
$30.92
$14.14
Efficient EV
73.6
0
$25.77
$11.78
EV Truck/SUV
117.8
1
$41.23
$18.85
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Oct 22, 2026
Origin
Solvay, NY
Evening
in Solvay on Thursday
Local time
8:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Mostly Clear
W 1 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Babylon, NY
Evening
in Babylon on Thursday
Local time
8:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 14 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 4m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 253.9
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 253.9
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
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 253.9
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 253.9
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 253.9
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 253.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 6-hour, 294.5-mile trip. The majority of your time will be spent on major interstates like I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and I-380. With 66% of the route on highways, the pace is generally brisk. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 128.7 miles on I-81, offering a sustained period of consistent driving. This road profile suggests a journey prioritizing directness over winding backroads.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
51 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.7 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 133.7 miles in near US 6.
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 37 significant decision points across 294.5 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 133.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,910 ft7 ft
Total Climb
1,928 ft
Total Descent
2,419 ft
Highest Point
1,910 ft
~147.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,903 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Solvay, NY and Babylon, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level - among others.
Mt Pocono
133.7 mi in|~2h 42m|via US 6
Milford
134.5 mi in|~2h 43m|via I 84; I 380
New York City
248.3 mi in|~4h 58m
Leonia
248.6 mi in|~4h 58m
Teaneck
248.6 mi in|~4h 58m
George Washington Bridge Upper Level
250.8 mi in|~5h 2m
Cross Island Parkway South
269.4 mi in|~5h 29m
Southern State Parkway East
271 mi in|~5h 31m
Eastern Long Island
271 mi in|~5h 31m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 4m. Total distance: 294.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.7 miles on I 81. 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 25 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 Babylon, 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 133.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant 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 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Babylon, NY before the return drive.
