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Trip from Watertown, NY to Oyster Bay, NY

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

Drive Time

7h

Distance

337.9 mi

544 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$56

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
6h 49m ★
6 AM
7h 0m
8 AM
7h 23m
10 AM
7h 8m
12 PM
7h 6m
3 PM
7h 9m
5 PM
7h 22m
8 PM
6h 53m

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

Downtown Watertown, NY, NY

Watertown, NY

Wikimedia Commons

town on Long Island, New York, United States

Oyster Bay, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 337.9-mile drive from Watertown, NY to Oyster Bay, NY is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 7 hours. You'll primarily navigate portions of the New York State Thruway, State Highway 12, and Bea Luck Road. With a fuel cost estimated at $56, this route offers a straightforward journey through New York State, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. The drive is relatively turn-heavy, so be prepared for frequent adjustments, but the bulk of your travel will be on the highway. Two planned stops are recommended to break up the 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

169 miles from Watertown, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 27m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 201.9 mi 3h 53m
State Highway 12 35.1 mi 46m
Bea Luck Road 19.8 mi 23m
Northern Boulevard 14.5 mi 24m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
Erwin Parkway 9.7 mi 11m
Van Allen Road 8.4 mi 9m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Watertown, NY and Oyster Bay, NY.

1

Start on NY 3; NY 12

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Public Square
2

Continue on NY 3; NY 12

1.7 mi · 3 min · State Street
3

Turn right onto NY 12

2.4 mi · 2 min · Gifford Street
4

Continue on NY 12

8.4 mi · 9 min · Van Allen Road
5

Continue on NY 12

1.4 mi · 1 min · State Highway 12
6

Continue on NY 12

0.6 mi · 41 sec · Main Street
7

Continue on NY 12

0.6 mi · 38 sec · High Street
8

Continue on NY 12

0.3 mi · 22 sec · County Road 14
9

Continue on NY 12

11 mi · 13 min · State Highway 12
10

Continue on NY 12

0.5 mi · 1 min · Dayan Street
11

Turn right onto NY 12; NY 26

0.6 mi · 1 min · South State Street
12

Continue on NY 12

0.5 mi · 1 min · Utica Boulevard
13

Continue on NY 12

20 mi · 23 min · Bea Luck Road
14

Continue on NY 12

0.8 mi · 51 sec · State Highway 12
15

Continue on NY 12

9.7 mi · 11 min · Erwin Parkway
16

Continue on NY 12

22 mi · 30 min · State Highway 12
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
18

Merge onto NY 49

0.4 mi · 26 sec · State Route 49
19

Continue on I 790; NY 5

0.2 mi · 13 sec · I 790; NY 5
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
21

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90
22

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 90 East
23

Merge onto I 90

84 mi · 1 hr 36 min · New York State Thruway
24

Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway

118 mi · 2 hr 16 min · New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston Use the slight right lane.
25

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17

0.9 mi · 59 sec · NY 17
Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey Use the slight right lane.
26

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
27

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17

14 mi · 18 min · NJ 17
Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah Use the slight left / straight lanes.
28

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
29

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
30

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4
Use the right lane.
31

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
33

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
35

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
37

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38

Keep slight right at fork onto I 295

2.0 mi · 2 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6B Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
39

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
40

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 2 min · Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Exit 5 Toward NY 25A: Northern Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43

Continue on Clearview Expressway

457 ft · 17 sec · Clearview Expressway
44

Turn left onto NY 25A

15 mi · 24 min · Northern Boulevard
Use the left lane.
45

Turn left onto NY 106

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Jericho Oyster Bay Road
46

Turn straight onto NY 106

0.5 mi · 46 sec · Oyster Bay Road
47

Keep slight left at fork onto NY 106

260 ft · 4 sec · Oyster Bay Road
48

Continue on NY 106

0.9 mi · 1 min · Pine Hollow Road
Use the left lane.
49

Continue on NY 106

105 ft · 5 sec · South Street
50

Turn right onto Berry Hill Road

112 ft · 9 sec · Berry Hill Road
51

Continue on Berry Hill Road

64 ft · 2 sec · Berry Hill Road
52

Arrive at destination

Berry Hill Road

Trip Plan

Given the 7-hour estimated duration, starting your drive early from Watertown, NY is advisable to make the most of daylight. While this is a feasible day trip, planning for two stops will help break up the 337.9 miles and keep you alert. Pay attention to the "turn-heavy local drive" profile, as this suggests you'll need to be mindful of your navigation and adjust your speed accordingly on State Highway 12 and Bea Luck Road. The $56 fuel cost is a good baseline for budgeting, and ensuring your tank is full before departing the New York State Thruway for the local segments is a smart move.

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 169 miles from Watertown, NY, or about 3h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.9 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 74 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 169 miles or 3h 27m 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 32m

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 Watertown, 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 Watertown, NY

This is one driving day of about 337.9 miles and 7h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Watertown, 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 New York State Thruway for about 201.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Poughkeepsie, NY

169 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

Whitesboro, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Niskayuna, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 169 miles from Watertown, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 201.9 miles.

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

Giovanna's Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ramsey, New Jersey

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 289.6

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+12018255835

Visit website

Barcelona Restaurant-Wine Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Albany, New York

0.8 mi

Café Panache

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ramsey, New Jersey

0.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Saddle River Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Saddle River, New Jersey

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Expensive mile 289.6

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+12012822300

Visit website

Giovanna's Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 289.6

Ramsey, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+12018255835

Visit website

Barcelona Restaurant-Wine Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 169

Albany, New York

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15184381144

Visit website

Café Panache

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $50 to $10 mile 289.6

Ramsey, New Jersey

Hours: 12–1:30 pm

+12019340030

Visit website

The Mindful Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 289.6

Ramsey, New Jersey

Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm

+12016493600

Visit website

Cafe Madison

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 169

Albany, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+15189351094

Visit website

Yossies Cafe & Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 265.5

Monroe, New York

Hours: 8 am–1 pm

+18457830901

Visit website

Bon Appetit Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 169

Albany, New York

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+15184592180

Visit website

Mocha Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 313.8

Bronx, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13472027123

Visit website

Saddle River Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Expensive mile 289.6

Saddle River, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+12012822300

Visit website

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 313.8

New York, New York

+19172614093

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 337.9

Oyster Bay, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 96.5

Herkimer, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 144.8

Pattersonville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 289.6

Mahwah, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 144.8

Amsterdam, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Quick Charge Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 144.8

Amsterdam, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18552703107

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 337.9

Syosset, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 265.5

Central Valley, New York

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18777983752

Visit website

Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 337.9

Oyster Bay, New York

+15166246202

Visit website

5 Wits Albany

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 169

Albany, New York

Hours: 12–8 pm

+15187592288

Visit website

Claremont Park

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 313.8

Bronx, NY

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

American Italian Heritage Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 169

Albany, New York

Hours: 12–2 pm

+15184351979

Visit website

The Bronx Museum of the Arts

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 313.8

Bronx, New York

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+17186816000

Visit website

Boonville Black River Canal

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 48.3

Boonville, New York

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13159426763

Visit website

St. Mary's Park

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 313.8

Bronx, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+17184025155

Visit website

Yankee Stadium

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 313.8

Bronx, New York

+12129265337

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 166.2 and 321.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
166.2 mi into trip | ~3h 23m in | New York State Thruway

Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
9
284.3 mi into trip | ~5h 40m 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
285.7 mi into trip | ~5h 41m 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
314.8 mi into trip | ~6h 22m 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
7
321.4 mi into trip | ~6h 31m in

Take the exit toward NY 25A: Northern Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 5 Toward NY 25A: Northern Boulevard

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$55.62 one way

$111.24 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 118 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $60.14 $120.29
premium $4.92 $65.49 $130.98
diesel $5.61 $74.60 $149.21

Estimated Tolls: $32.64

George Washington Bridge $16.00
New York State Thruway (201.9 mi) $10.09
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

$56

Tolls

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$113–$138

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 118.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 101.4 1 $35.48 $16.22
Efficient EV 84.5 0 $29.57 $13.52
EV Truck/SUV 135.2 1 $47.31 $21.63

Gas CO2

118 kg

EV CO2

40 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Watertown, NY

Night in Watertown on Saturday

Local time

10:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Oyster Bay, NY

Night in Oyster Bay on Saturday

Local time

10:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live 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

6 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 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

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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 314.6
View on nps.gov
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...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour Free near mile 314.6
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...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 314.6
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...

11 mi from route ~29 min detour Free near mile 314.6
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...

12 mi from route ~31 min detour Free near mile 314.6
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...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour Free near mile 314.6
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 "turn-heavy local drive" profile for this route, with only 23% of the journey on highways. While there's a significant stretch of 201.9 miles on the New York State Thruway, much of your time will be spent on State Highway 12 and Bea Luck Road, which are likely to be more winding and require closer attention. This means the drive will feel more like navigating local roads with frequent directional changes rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. The character of the road shifts considerably, moving from faster highway sections to more involved local driving.

Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
52 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 201.9 mi on New York State Thruway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 166.2 miles in near New York State Thruway.

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 24 significant decision points across 337.9 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 166.2 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 284.3 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 285.7 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Watertown, NY and Oyster Bay, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South, Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.

Genesee Street South

81.2 mi in | ~1h 44m

Boston

166.2 mi in | ~3h 23m | via New York State Thruway

Gsp South: Paterson

299.8 mi in | ~6h

Fort Lee

299.8 mi in | ~6h

New York

299.8 mi in | ~6h

About the Cities

Starting in Watertown, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1800

Watertown is a small city in New York's North Country, and the seat of Jefferson County.

Top landmarks

  • Public Square — historic district in Watertown, New York
  • Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library — Library on the National Registry of Historic Places in Watertown, New York
  • Trinity Episcopal Church and Parish House — church building in Watertown, New York, United States

Arriving in Oyster Bay, NY

Full guide →

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.

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 7h. Total distance: 337.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 201.9 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $32.64 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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 166.2 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 284.3 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 285.7 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 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.

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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Explore more options from Watertown, NY or browse trips ending in Oyster Bay, NY.

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