Embarking from Thurman, NY, and heading to Islip, NY, this 262.7-mile journey will take approximately 5 hours and 35 minutes. It's a straightforward drive primarily utilizing I 87 and the Southern State Parkway, making it a manageable one-day trip for most travelers. With an estimated fuel cost of $43, this highway-focused route offers a direct path through New York State. You'll encounter just one recommended stop along the way, allowing for efficient travel. This drive is a solid option if you're looking for a practical way to cover ground within the Northeast region.
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
131.3 miles from Thurman, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 87
118.6 mi
2h 17m
Adirondack Northway
58.7 mi
1h 9m
Southern State Parkway
24.7 mi
31m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Mountain Road
3.4 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 87
— 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Traffic on I-87
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,496 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,286
Quietest
1 AM
~113 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
22.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Thurman, NY and Islip, NY.
1
Start on CR 57
4 ft·0 sec·South Johnsburg Road
2
Continue on CR 4
0.8 mi·1 min·Valley Road
3
Keep slight right at fork onto Mountain Road
3.4 mi·8 min·Mountain Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto CR 4
1.6 mi·2 min·High Street
5
Continue on CR 4
0.8 mi·1 min·Athol Road
6
Continue on CR 4
1.0 mi·1 min·Athol Road
7
Turn left onto NY 418
0.5 mi·56 sec·State Highway 418
8
Continue on NY 418
2.9 mi·5 min·River Street
9
Turn slight left onto NY 418
271 ft·6 sec·Richards Avenue
10
Turn right onto CR 45
0.2 mi·29 sec·Water Street
11
Turn right onto US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
12
Turn left onto CR 35
506 ft·11 sec·Diamond Point-Bakers Crossing Road
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
14
Merge onto I 87
59 mi·1 hr 9 min·Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
0.3 mi·31 sec·I 87
Exit 1E-WToward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, BuffaloUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on I 87
0.5 mi·51 sec·I 87
Exit 1WToward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 87
Toward I 87 South: New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
20
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
23
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
24
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
26
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
28
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
30
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
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.
32
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
33
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
36
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
37
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
38
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
39
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
40
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
42
Merge onto SO
25 mi·31 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 41SToward Bay Shore Road South, Bay ShoreUse the slight right lane.
45
Turn straight onto CR 57
0.5 mi·1 min·Bay Shore Road
46
Continue on CR 57
0.3 mi·43 sec·Howells Road
47
Turn straight onto CR 57
341 ft·6 sec·Sunrise Highway
48
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57
0.6 mi·1 min·Howells Road
Toward Howells Road SouthUse the right lane.
49
Continue on CR 57
0.2 mi·24 sec·Roosevelt Street
50
Continue on CR 57
0.7 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue
51
At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A
1.1 mi·1 min·East Main Street
52
Continue on Montauk Highway
0.2 mi·17 sec·Montauk Highway
53
Continue on NY 27A
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
54
Arrive at destination
NY 27A
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour and 35 minute duration, starting your trip from Thurman early in the morning will help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to Long Island. The longest stretch without a required stop is over 118 miles on I 87, so plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly before embarking on that segment. With a total of just one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $43, this drive is designed for efficiency. Keep an eye on signage for the Southern State Parkway transitions as you enter more developed areas.
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 131.3 miles from Thurman, NY, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 58 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.3 miles or 2h 45m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Islip, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Thurman, 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 Thurman, NY
This is one driving day of about 262.7 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Thurman, 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 87 for about 118.6 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 70.9 and 258.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
70.9 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1E-W
Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
9
189.5 mi into trip|~3h 52m in|NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
190.9 mi into trip|~3h 54m in|NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
219.9 mi into trip|~4h 34m 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
9
258.1 mi into trip|~5h 26m in
Take the exit toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41S
Toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.50 one way
$84.99 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$46.12
$92.23
premium
$4.85
$50.14
$100.28
diesel
$4.80
$49.60
$99.21
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
$43
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.8
0
$27.58
$12.61
Efficient EV
65.7
0
$22.99
$10.51
EV Truck/SUV
105.1
1
$36.78
$16.81
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Thurman, NY
Morning
in Thurman on Sunday
Local time
6:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SW 3 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 18 at 2:52AM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 2:27AM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Islip, NY
Morning
in Islip on Sunday
Local time
6:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Areas Of Smoke
S 7 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 18 at 2:52AM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 2:27AM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Upton 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
14 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
5h 35m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 217.4
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 217.4
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 45.3
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
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 217.4
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 217.4
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 217.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 69% of the journey on major roadways like I 87, also known as the Adirondack Northway. You'll experience a significant stretch of 118.6 miles on I 87 without needing to exit, offering a consistent pace. While the majority of the drive is on high-speed parkways and interstates, expect the character to shift as you approach your destination on the Southern State Parkway. It’s a trip designed for covering distance efficiently rather than winding through scenic backroads.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
54 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.6 mi on I 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 87 and Adirondack Northway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 70.9 miles in near I 87.
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 32 significant decision points across 262.7 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 70.9 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.9 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,315 ft12 ft
Total Climb
583 ft
Total Descent
1,886 ft
Highest Point
1,315 ft
Elevation Range
1,303 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Thurman, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and Cross Island Parkway South - among others.
Islip (pronounced "ICE-lip") is a town on Long Island in the state of New York. Located within Suffolk County, the Town of Islip includes the villages of Brightwaters, Islandia, Ocean Beach and Saltaire. It also includes numerous hamlets including Bay Shore and Sayville which are ferry terminals for Fire Island. Other prominent communities are Bayport, Brentwood, Central Islip, Hauppauge, Islip village (the town seat), and Ronkonkoma.
Top landmarks
•Bayport Aerodrome — airport in Suffolk County, New York, United States
•Connetquot River State Park Preserve — state park in New York
•Modesty — oyster-dredging sloop built in Long Island
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 35m. Total distance: 262.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.6 miles on I 87. 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 17 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 Islip, 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 70.9 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.9 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Saratoga National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Islip, NY before the return drive.
