West Seneca, NY to Smithtown, NY is 416.8 miles and takes about 8h 43m via Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and I 81, with a fuel budget near $68 and likely best split over two days. This drive covers a significant portion of New York State, moving from the Western part of the state eastward towards Long Island. The majority of the route is on major highways, making it a straightforward, albeit long, transit. With a recommended two days for the trip, you'll have a good opportunity to break up the driving and potentially explore along the way, though the focus is primarily on efficient travel.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
208.4 miles from West Seneca, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 23m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 168 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,210 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,900
Quietest
1 AM
~430 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
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 West Seneca, NY and Smithtown, NY.
1
Start on this road
12 ft·0 sec·this road
2
Continue on Greymount Avenue
0.1 mi·39 sec·Greymount Avenue
3
Turn left onto NY 16
1.0 mi·1 min·Seneca Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward NY 400
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward NY 400 SouthUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto NY 400
12 mi·13 min·Aurora Expressway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 20A, NY 78: East Aurora
8
Turn left onto US 20A; NY 78
0.1 mi·12 sec·Main Street
9
Continue on US 20A; NY 78
11 mi·15 min·Big Tree Road
10
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Varysburg Road
11
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Road
12
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi·8 min·West Buffalo Street
13
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi·10 min·Perry Center Road
14
Continue on CR 64
2.3 mi·3 min·Perry Road
15
Turn right onto NY 36
1.3 mi·1 min·Mount Morris Road
16
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi·4 min·North Main Street
17
Continue on NY 36
4.1 mi·7 min·Sonyea Road
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
19
Merge onto I 390
33 mi·37 min·Genesee Expressway
20
Merge onto I 86
105 mi·2 hr 2 min·Southern Tier Expressway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
22
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.
23
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.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
25
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
26
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
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.
28
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.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
30
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
32
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
34
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
35
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
37
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
39
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
41
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
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.
43
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
44
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Continue on I 295
3.2 mi·3 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 4E-WToward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long IslandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
47
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 4EToward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
48
Merge onto I 495
14 mi·19 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 42Toward N East: HauppaugeUse the slight right lane.
50
Merge onto N
14 mi·18 min·Northern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 45Toward SM North: Kings ParkUse the right lane.
52
Merge onto SA
499 ft·6 sec·Sagtikos State Parkway
53
Continue on SM
1.7 mi·1 min·Sunken Meadow State Parkway
54
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit SM3EToward NY 25 East: Jericho Turnpike East, SmithtownUse the slight right lane.
55
Turn slight right onto NY 25
3.9 mi·5 min·Jericho Turnpike
56
Continue on NY 25; NY 25A
0.6 mi·54 sec·West Main Street
Use the left lane.
57
Arrive at destination
NY 25; NY 25A
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 43m estimated drive time, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. Aim to depart early on your first day to maximize daylight hours for driving. Plan for at least two stops to refuel and stretch your legs, especially considering the longest stretch without exits is over 100 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $68, so ensure your tank is full before departing West Seneca. Consider making your overnight stop somewhere around the central part of the state to divide the mileage evenly.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 208.4 miles from West Seneca, NY, or about 4h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 92 miles or 2h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 208.4 miles or 4h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 208.4 miles or 4h 23m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smithtown, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West Seneca, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from West Seneca, NY
Aim for roughly 208 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Smithtown, NY
Aim for roughly 208 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from West Seneca, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Southern Tier Expressway for about 104.5 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 34
5 decision points cluster between mile 249.4 and 381.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
249.4 mi into trip|~5h 12m 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
363.9 mi into trip|~7h 28m 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
364.2 mi into trip|~7h 28m 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
373.6 mi into trip|~7h 43m 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
381.4 mi into trip|~7h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
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 4E-W
Toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$67.74 one way
$135.48 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg146 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$73.32
$146.63
premium
$4.87
$79.85
$159.70
diesel
$5.40
$88.66
$177.32
Estimated Tolls: $22.82
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
Jericho Turnpike
(3.9 mi)$0.27
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
$68
Tolls
$23
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$221–$331
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 145.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
125
1
$43.76
$20.01
Efficient EV
104.2
1
$36.47
$16.67
EV Truck/SUV
166.7
2
$58.35
$26.68
Gas CO2
146 kg
EV CO2
49 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 25, 2026
Origin
West Seneca, NY
Late night
in West Seneca on Sunday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
NE 3 to 9 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 1:03PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Smithtown, NY
Late night
in Smithtown on Sunday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Rain Showers
E 9 mph97% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 1:03PM EDT by NWS Binghamton 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
1 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
8h 43m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 373.7
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 373.7
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 373.7
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 373.7
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 373.7
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 373.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 66% of the total mileage on the main interstates. You'll encounter the longest unbroken stretch of 104.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway, offering extended periods of cruising. The shift from highway to surface roads will occur gradually as you approach your destination, likely with an increase in exit frequency and local traffic. Expect a consistent flow of traffic typical for major interstate travel through the Northeast.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
57 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.5 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 249.4 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 34 significant decision points across 416.8 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 249.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 363.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 364.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between West Seneca, NY and Smithtown, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level - 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.
The longest stretch is about 104.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 208 miles on day one.
Expect about $22.82 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 36 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 Smithtown, 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. There are 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 249.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 363.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 364.2 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 8.7 hours each way, a round trip means 17.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Smithtown, NY before the return drive.
