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Trip from Babylon, NY to Berkshire, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 41m

Distance

224 mi

360 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 28m ★
6 AM
4h 42m
8 AM
5h 9m
10 AM
4h 51m
12 PM
4h 48m
3 PM
4h 52m
5 PM
5h 7m
8 PM
4h 34m

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

town in Long Island, New York, United States

Babylon, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Berkshire, NY, NY

Berkshire, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

Babylon, NY to Berkshire, NY is 224 miles and takes about 4h 41m via NY 17 and the New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It's a straightforward drive that's mostly highway, making it a good option if you want to get to your destination efficiently. Plan for a single day, as the drive is well within a comfortable day's travel time.

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

112 miles from Babylon, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NY 17 117.5 mi 2h 15m
New York State Thruway 25.9 mi 29m
Southern State Parkway 17.9 mi 22m
NJ 17 14.7 mi 18m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Cross Bronx Expressway 6.6 mi 8m
Clearview Expressway 5 mi 5m
Farmingdale Road 3.6 mi 5m
Longest stretch: NY 17 — 117.5 mi, about 2h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Babylon, NY and Berkshire, NY.

1

Start on South Carll Avenue

68 ft · 11 sec · South Carll Avenue
2

Turn left onto NY 27A

0.5 mi · 51 sec · West Main Street
3

Turn right onto NY 109

0.9 mi · 1 min · Little East Neck Road North
4

Continue on NY 109

3.6 mi · 5 min · Farmingdale Road
Use the left lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward SO West: New York
6

Merge onto SO

18 mi · 22 min · Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto CI

1.3 mi · 1 min · Cross Island Parkway
9

Take the exit

317 ft · 9 sec
Exit 26B Toward NY 24: UBS Arena-Belmont Park Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

437 ft · 12 sec
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West
12

Keep slight right at fork

266 ft · 8 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue West Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 13 sec · this road
Toward Grandstand, Hempstead Avenue West
14

Keep slight left at fork

100 ft · 4 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue
15

Turn right onto NY 24

1.0 mi · 2 min · Hempstead Avenue
Use the right lane.
16

Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Jamaica Avenue
17

Turn right onto NY 24

0.7 mi · 1 min · 212th Street
18

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway
Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck Bridge Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
20

Continue on I 295

0.7 mi · 1 min · Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight left at fork onto I 295

6.6 mi · 8 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
23

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.6 mi · 59 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
24

Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

0.5 mi · 48 sec · I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
25

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

0.6 mi · 39 sec · I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 95 EXPR; NJTP
27

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 72A Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
29

Merge onto NJ 4

6.7 mi · 9 min · NJ 4
Use the slight right lane.
30

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, Mahwah Use the straight lane.
31

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Merge onto NJ 17

3.3 mi · 4 min · NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33

Continue on NJ 17

7.3 mi · 9 min · NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
34

Continue on NJ 17

0.7 mi · 50 sec · NJ 17
35

Continue on NJ 17

3.3 mi · 4 min · NJ 17
36

Continue on I 287; NY 17

0.2 mi · 10 sec · I 287; NY 17
37

Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17

118 mi · 2 hr 15 min · NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

26 mi · 29 min · New York State Thruway
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
39

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Exit 27 Toward NY 30: Amsterdam Use the slight right lane.
40

Continue on this road

367 ft · 12 sec · this road
41

Turn right onto NY 30

0.9 mi · 1 min · NY 30
42

Turn left onto NY 5

0.1 mi · 18 sec · State Route 5
43

Enter roundabout onto NY 5

118 ft · 2 sec · State Route 5
44

Continue on NY 5

492 ft · 16 sec · State Route 5
45

Continue on NY 5; NY 67

1.4 mi · 2 min · Main Street
46

Turn right onto Steadwell Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Steadwell Avenue
47

Continue on CR 19

0.5 mi · 44 sec · Steadwell Road
48

Turn right onto CR 18

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Golf Course Road
49

Turn left onto CR 40

0.8 mi · 1 min · Mc Kay Road
50

Continue on CR 40

1.3 mi · 2 min · McKay Road
51

Turn left onto McQueen Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · McQueen Road
52

Turn left onto CR 107

2.1 mi · 2 min · Perth-Johnstown Road
53

Turn right onto CR 158

1.7 mi · 2 min · Boonwell Farm Road
54

Turn left onto NY 29

0.3 mi · 27 sec · State Highway 29
55

Turn right onto Steele Avenue Extension

1.8 mi · 2 min · Steele Avenue Extension
56

Turn right onto NY 30A

0.6 mi · 49 sec · Adirondack Trail
57

Turn right onto NY 29A; CR 127

0.2 mi · 28 sec · East Fulton Street Extension
58

Turn right onto Lake Avenue

87 ft · 2 sec · Lake Avenue
59

Arrive at destination

Lake Avenue

Trip Plan

Given this 4-hour and 41-minute drive, leaving Babylon, NY in the morning will allow you to reach Berkshire, NY with plenty of daylight to spare. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility in when you depart. The longest stretch without a significant road change is 117.5 miles on NY 17, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps before embarking on that longer segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $37, it's a relatively economical journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering the 117.5-mile stretch on NY 17.

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 112 miles from Babylon, NY, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.5 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 49 miles or 1h 8m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 112 miles or 2h 24m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 46m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Berkshire, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Babylon, 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 Babylon, NY

This is one driving day of about 224 miles and 4h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Babylon, 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 NY 17 for about 117.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

112 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

Yonkers, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Poughkeepsie, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 112 miles from Babylon, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 117.5 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

Golden Krust Carribean Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Newburgh, New York

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 96

Hours: 8:15 am–7:45 pm

+18457874527

Visit website

Caribe Spanish Restaurant & Sports Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Schenectady, New York

1.9 mi

Bellevue Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Schenectady, New York

1.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hackensack, New Jersey

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 48

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Englewood, New Jersey

2.3 mi

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

South Hackensack, New Jersey

2.6 mi

Golden Krust Carribean Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 96

Newburgh, New York

Hours: 8:15 am–7:45 pm

+18457874527

Visit website

Caribe Spanish Restaurant & Sports Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 192

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15182806277

Visit website

Bellevue Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 192

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15183937720

Visit website

Cafe Tropical Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 48

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12018800669

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 48

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12014871088

Visit website

Canali's Italian & American Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 192

Schenectady, New York

Hours: 4–9 pm

+15183555323

Visit website

Bite Food & Coffee Co

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 48

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12015602269

Visit website

Hainan

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 32

Flushing, New York

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19175637223

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 48

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 48

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12015675111

Visit website

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 48

South Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12014265898

Visit website

C Squared Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 48

Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12014259120

Saddle River Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Expensive mile 64

Saddle River, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+12012822300

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 96

Newburgh, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 96

Newburgh, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 96

Newburgh, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 80

Central Valley, New York

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 64

Mahwah, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 96

Newburgh, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 80

Central Valley, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887800062

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 80

Central Valley, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18774943833

Visit website

Shooting Zone

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 48

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 12–9 pm

+12014401329

Visit website

Ready to Golf

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 48

River Edge, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+16093887728

Visit website

Bowler City

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 48

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+12013433545

Visit website

iFLY Indoor Skydiving- Paramus

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 48

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–8:30 pm

+12017334359

Visit website

Catch Air Paramus

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 48

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12016202125

Visit website

Teaneck Creek Conservancy

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 48

Teaneck, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12018362403

Visit website

Venetian Shores Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Lindenhurst, New York

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+16317861136

Visit website

Xtreme Energy

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 48

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12014085555

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 41

5 decision points cluster between mile 24.7 and 50.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
24.7 mi into trip | ~33m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
8
24.9 mi into trip | ~34m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Hempstead Avenue West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward Hempstead Avenue West
8
43.7 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

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. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
9
43.9 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in

Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 72A Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
8
50.9 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in

Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.87 one way

$73.74 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 78 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $39.87 $79.74
premium $4.92 $43.42 $86.83
diesel $5.61 $49.46 $98.91

Estimated Tolls: $23.85

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55
New York State Thruway (25.9 mi) $1.30

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

$37

Tolls

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$86–$111

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 78.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 67.2 0 $23.52 $10.75
Efficient EV 56 0 $19.60 $8.96
EV Truck/SUV 89.6 1 $31.36 $14.34

Gas CO2

78 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (67% 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 Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Babylon, NY

Afternoon in Babylon on Saturday

Local time

2:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Scattered Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy

NE 3 to 7 mph 33% chance Live forecast

Destination

Berkshire, NY

Afternoon in Berkshire on Saturday

Local time

2:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Ramapo, NY

112 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

3 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

4h 41m 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.

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...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 38.6
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...

5 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 38.6
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 ~24 min detour Free near mile 38.6
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 ~27 min detour Free near mile 38.6
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...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free near mile 38.6
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 ~29 min detour Free near mile 38.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 78% of the route utilizing major roads like the Southern State Parkway, NY 17, and the New York State Thruway. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 117.5 miles on NY 17. Expect a driving personality that prioritizes forward momentum, typical of interstates and parkways designed for longer-distance travel. While it's a highway-centric journey, the transition between these main arteries offers a chance to observe the changing landscapes of New York.

78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
59 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.5 mi on NY 17.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and New York State Thruway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.7 miles in.

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 41 significant decision points across 224 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 24.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Babylon, NY and Berkshire, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Gsp South - among others.

Cross Island Parkway North

23 mi in | ~31m

Hempstead Avenue West

24.8 mi in | ~34m

Grandstand

24.9 mi in | ~34m

Upper Level

41.2 mi in | ~57m | via I 95; US 1

Njtp South: Hackensack

43.7 mi in | ~1h 1m

Gsp South

50.8 mi in | ~1h 11m

Gsp North

50.8 mi in | ~1h 11m

Newark

50.8 mi in | ~1h 11m

Mahwah

50.8 mi in | ~1h 11m

New York State Thruway North: Albany

66 mi in | ~1h 31m | via NY 17

About the Cities

Starting in Babylon, NY

Full guide →

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 4h 41m. Total distance: 224 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 117.5 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $23.85 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 Berkshire, 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 24.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Berkshire, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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 Babylon, NY or browse trips ending in Berkshire, NY.

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