Wilmington to Babylon is 319.4 miles and takes about 6h 37m via I 87 and Southern State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a relatively straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a duration under seven hours, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip if you're looking to get from the Adirondacks to Long Island efficiently.
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
159.7 miles from Wilmington, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 87
118.6 mi
2h 17m
Adirondack Northway
103.7 mi
2h 1m
Southern State Parkway
18 mi
22m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
State Highway 9N
11.5 mi
17m
State Highway 73
11.5 mi
16m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 87
— 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Traffic on I-87
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,467 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,399
Quietest
1 AM
~114 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 79 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 Wilmington, NY and Babylon, NY.
1
Start on CR 83
53 ft·2 sec·Springfield Road
2
Turn right onto NY 86
4.7 mi·7 min·State Highway 86
3
Turn right onto NY 9N
12 mi·17 min·State Highway 9N
4
Continue on NY 73
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 73
5
Turn straight onto US 9
2.1 mi·2 min·US 9
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 87 South
7
Merge onto I 87
104 mi·2 hr 1 min·Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
8
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.
9
Continue on I 87
0.5 mi·51 sec·I 87
Exit 1WToward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
10
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.
11
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.
12
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
13
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.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
16
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
21
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
23
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
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.
25
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
26
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
29
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
30
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
31
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
32
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
33
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
35
Merge onto SO
18 mi·22 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 33Toward NY 109 East: BabylonUse the slight right lane.
37
Turn slight right onto NY 109
3.5 mi·5 min·Farmingdale Road
Use the left lane.
38
Continue on NY 109
0.9 mi·1 min·Little East Neck Road North
39
Turn left onto NY 27A
0.5 mi·49 sec·West Main Street
40
Turn right onto South Carll Avenue
68 ft·2 sec·South Carll Avenue
41
Arrive at destination
South Carll Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 37m estimated drive time, leaving Wilmington in the morning is advisable to arrive in Babylon before evening. The route is mostly highway, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, with an estimated cost of $52. While the drive can be completed in one day, the longest stretch without a major change is over 118 miles, so consider a brief stop to stretch your legs. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 87 to the Southern State Parkway, as this marks a significant change in the driving environment as you get closer to Long Island.
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 159.7 miles from Wilmington, NY, or about 3h 17m 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 70 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.7 miles or 3h 17m 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 16m
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 Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NY
This is one driving day of about 319.4 miles and 6h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Wilmington, 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 133.9 and 295.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
133.9 mi into trip|~2h 46m 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
252.4 mi into trip|~5h 4m 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
253.8 mi into trip|~5h 6m 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
282.9 mi into trip|~5h 46m 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
295.8 mi into trip|~6h 5m 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
$52.93 one way
$105.85 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.57
$57.40
$114.81
premium
$4.99
$62.75
$125.50
diesel
$5.13
$64.56
$129.12
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
$53
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$100–$125
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-20.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.8
1
$33.54
$15.33
Efficient EV
79.9
0
$27.95
$12.78
EV Truck/SUV
127.8
1
$44.72
$20.44
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Jul 22, 2026
Origin
Wilmington, NY
Evening
in Wilmington on Wednesday
Local time
8:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 mph81% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 21 at 9:25PM EDT until July 21 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 21 at 9:07PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Destination
Babylon, NY
Evening
in Babylon on Wednesday
Local time
8:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 13 to 16 mph68% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 21 at 9:25PM EDT until July 21 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 21 at 9:07PM EDT by NWS Albany 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
10 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 37m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 275.3
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 275.3
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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 110.1
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
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 275.3
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
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 275.3
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 275.3
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 highway driving, with 64% of the 319.4 miles on major roads like I 87 and the Southern State Parkway. You'll encounter your longest stretch without a major exit or change in direction at 118.6 miles on I 87. The transition from the rural cruising of I 87 to the more suburban parkway environment of the Southern State Parkway will be noticeable as you approach your destination.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 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 133.9 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 28 significant decision points across 319.4 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 133.9 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.4 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.8 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,492 ft7 ft
Total Climb
800 ft
Total Descent
1,808 ft
Highest Point
1,492 ft
~22.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,486 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wilmington, NY and Babylon, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and Cross Island Parkway South - among others.
Wilmington is a town of 1,100 people in the Adirondacks near Lake Placid, New York. It is home to Whiteface Mountain and the North Pole Santa theme park.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 37m. Total distance: 319.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 37m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 133.9 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.4 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.8 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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 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.
