Origin
Watson, NY
Morning in Watson on Tuesday
Local time
6:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Watson, NY to Islip, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 50m
Distance
329.9 mi
531 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 39m
★
6 AM
6h 51m
8 AM
7h 14m
10 AM
6h 59m
12 PM
6h 56m
3 PM
7h 0m
5 PM
7h 13m
8 PM
6h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Watson, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Islip, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 329.9-mile journey from Watson, NY, to Islip, NY, is designed for a single day of driving, estimated to take about 6 hours and 50 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of routes, including the New York State Thruway and the Southern State Parkway, with State Highway 12 also playing a part. While the highway share is 29%, the overall profile suggests a turn-heavy local drive, so plan for frequent adjustments. With an estimated fuel cost of $54, this trip is a manageable excursion within the Northeast region. The recommended single day allows for flexibility, but be prepared for a dynamic driving experience.
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
164.9 miles from Watson, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 201.9 mi | 3h 53m |
| Southern State Parkway | 24.7 mi | 31m |
| State Highway 12 | 22.8 mi | 31m |
| Bea Luck Road | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| Erwin Parkway | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watson, NY and Islip, NY.
1
Start on CR 22
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Number Four Road
2
Turn left onto East Martinsburg Road
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Martinsburg Road
3
Turn right onto Bealuk Road
1.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Bealuk Road
4
Turn sharp left onto NY 12
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Bea Luck Road
5
Continue on NY 12
0.8 mi
·
51 sec
·
State Highway 12
6
Continue on NY 12
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Erwin Parkway
7
Continue on NY 12
22 mi
·
30 min
·
State Highway 12
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
9
Merge onto NY 49
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
State Route 49
10
Continue on I 790; NY 5
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
I 790; NY 5
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 90 East
14
Merge onto I 90
84 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
New York State Thruway
15
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.
16
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.
17
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
18
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.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
21
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
NJ 4
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
26
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
28
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
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.
30
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
31
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
34
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
35
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Hempstead Avenue
36
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft
·
9 sec
·
225th Street
Use the right lane.
37
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
38
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 25A
Toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
40
Merge onto SO
25 mi
·
31 min
·
Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 41S
Toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore
Use the slight right lane.
43
Turn straight onto CR 57
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Bay Shore Road
44
Continue on CR 57
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Howells Road
45
Turn straight onto CR 57
341 ft
·
6 sec
·
Sunrise Highway
46
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Howells Road
Toward Howells Road South
Use the right lane.
47
Continue on CR 57
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Roosevelt Street
48
Continue on CR 57
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Avenue
49
At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
50
Continue on Montauk Highway
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Montauk Highway
51
Continue on NY 27A
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
52
Arrive at destination
NY 27A
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour 50-minute duration, starting early is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially if you're traveling on a weekday. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically along the New York State Thruway, the longest stretch of your drive, to break up the 201.9-mile segment. The $54 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always keep an eye on your gauge, particularly before heading onto less populated local roads. The "turn-heavy local drive" profile suggests having your navigation system or maps readily accessible to manage the numerous directional changes.
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 164.9 miles from Watson, NY, or about 3h 22m 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 73 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.9 miles or 3h 22m 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 26m
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 Watson, 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 Watson, NY
This is one driving day of about 329.9 miles and 6h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Watson, 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 New York State Thruway for about 201.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
165 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 164.9 miles from Watson, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 315 decision points cluster between mile 138.5 and 325.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
138.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m 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
256.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 8m 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
258.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 9m 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
287.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 49m 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
325.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 41m 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
$54.30 one way
$108.61 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
115 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $58.72 | $117.44 |
| premium | $4.92 | $63.94 | $127.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $72.84 | $145.68 |
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
$54
Tolls
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$112–$137
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.4 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 | 99 | 1 | $34.64 | $15.84 |
| Efficient EV | 82.5 | 0 | $28.87 | $13.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 132 | 1 | $46.19 | $21.11 |
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Destination
Islip, NY
Morning in Islip on Tuesday
Local time
6:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
63°F
Ramapo, NY
165 mi in
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
37 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 50m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied driving experience on this route. While 29% of your journey will be on highways, the overall profile is described as a "turn-heavy local drive." This means you'll likely encounter more frequent changes in direction and speed than on a pure interstate trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 201.9 miles, predominantly on the New York State Thruway, offering a period of more consistent travel. However, anticipate a transition to more local road conditions as you progress, requiring your attention to navigation and speed limits.
Only 29% 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 138.5 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 31 significant decision points across 329.9 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 138.5 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 258.1 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Watson, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South, Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Cross Island Parkway South - among others.
Genesee Street South
53.6 mi in
|
~1h 12m
Boston
138.5 mi in
|
~2h 51m
|
via New York State Thruway
Gsp South: Paterson
272.1 mi in
|
~5h 28m
Fort Lee
272.1 mi in
|
~5h 28m
New York
272.1 mi in
|
~5h 28m
Cross Island Parkway South
298.6 mi in
|
~6h 6m
Southern State Parkway East
300.1 mi in
|
~6h 8m
Eastern Long Island
300.1 mi in
|
~6h 8m
About the Cities
Starting in Watson, NY
Full guide →Arriving in Islip, NY
Full guide →Founded 1683
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
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 6h 50m. Total distance: 329.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 50m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 138.5 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 258.1 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 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.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Islip, NY
More trips to Islip, NY
Explore more options from Watson, NY or browse trips ending in Islip, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.