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Trip from Babylon, NY to North Elba, NY

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

6h 31m

Distance

315.9 mi

508 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 19m ★
6 AM
6h 32m
8 AM
6h 56m
10 AM
6h 40m
12 PM
6h 38m
3 PM
6h 42m
5 PM
6h 55m
8 PM
6h 24m

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

town in New York, United States

North Elba, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 315.9-mile journey from Babylon, NY, to North Elba, NY, will take approximately 6 hours and 31 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing NY 17 and the Adirondack Northway (I-87) before transitioning to State Highway 73, this drive offers a highway-focused experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $52, it's feasible as a single-day trip, though you'll want to plan for a good portion of your day on the road. The route covers ground within New York, moving from the general Northeast region toward the more mountainous terrain of the Adirondacks. Consider an early start to maximize daylight and arrive at your destination with time to spare.

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

158 miles from Babylon, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 17m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a drive that's predominantly on highways, with 64% of the route being on such roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 111.7 miles on NY 17, offering a good opportunity to make steady progress. As you move north, the Adirondack Northway will provide a consistent, high-speed environment. The final leg on State Highway 73 will likely introduce more winding sections as you approach the Adirondack Park, shifting the feel from open highway to a more scenic, parkway-like experience. It’s a route that balances efficient travel with a gradual introduction to a different landscape.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 51 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NY 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 111.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 36 significant decision points across 315.9 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 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 36 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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

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 North Elba, 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

Troy

177.7 mi in | ~3h 39m

Saratoga Springs

187.3 mi in | ~3h 53m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NY 17 111.7 mi 2h 8m
Adirondack Northway 97.7 mi 1h 53m
State Highway 73 18.7 mi 27m
Southern State Parkway 17.9 mi 22m
NJ 17 14.7 mi 18m
I 787 9 mi 12m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Cross Bronx Expressway 6.6 mi 8m
Longest stretch: NY 17 — 111.7 mi, about 2h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Babylon, NY and North Elba, 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

112 mi · 2 hr 8 min · NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 50 sec
Exit 23 Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy Use the slight right lane.
39

Continue on I 787

9.0 mi · 12 min · I 787
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40

Keep slight left at fork onto NY 787

0.4 mi · 29 sec · NY 787
41

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 50 sec
Exit 9W Toward NY 7 West: Schenectady, Saratoga Springs Use the right lane.
42

Merge onto NY 7

3.1 mi · 3 min · NY 7
43

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 87 North: Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls
44

Merge onto I 87

98 mi · 1 hr 53 min · Adirondack Northway
45

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 31 sec
Exit 30 Toward US 9, NY 73: Keene, Keene Valley
46

Turn left onto US 9

2.2 mi · 2 min · US Highway 9
47

Keep slight left at fork onto NY 73

11 mi · 16 min · State Highway 73
48

Continue on NY 9N; NY 73

1.8 mi · 3 min · State Highway 9N
49

Keep slight left at fork onto NY 73

7.2 mi · 10 min · State Highway 73
50

Continue on NY 73

3.7 mi · 4 min · Cascade Road
51

Arrive at destination

NY 73

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour 31-minute estimated duration, starting your trip from Babylon early in the morning is highly recommended to avoid the worst of traffic and enjoy the drive in daylight. You'll encounter one suggested stop, but with over 111 miles of continuous driving on NY 17, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. The Adirondack Northway is straightforward, but keep an eye out for potential construction or weather changes as you head further upstate, especially as you transition to State Highway 73. This route is well-suited for a single-day effort, allowing for flexibility in your schedule once you arrive.

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 158 miles from Babylon, NY, or about 3h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.7 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 69 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 158 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 17m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Elba, 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 315.9 miles and 6h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 111.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 158 mi from Babylon, NY · 3h 17m into the drive

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

158 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

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Albany, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 158 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 111.7 miles.

Arriving in North Elba, NY

The final approach into North Elba, NY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around North Elba, NY.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$52.00 one way

$104.00 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 111 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $56.23 $112.46
premium $4.92 $61.23 $122.45
diesel $5.61 $69.75 $139.49

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

$52

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: 110.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 94.8 1 $33.17 $15.16
Efficient EV 79 0 $27.64 $12.64
EV Truck/SUV 126.4 1 $44.23 $20.22

Gas CO2

111 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Babylon, NY

Night in Babylon on Wednesday

Local time

10:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

North Elba, NY

Night in North Elba on Wednesday

Local time

10:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

57°F

Ramapo, NY

158 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

4 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 31m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Babylon, NY to North Elba, NY covers 315.9 miles and takes about 6h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NY 17, Adirondack Northway, State Highway 73. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 158 miles from Babylon, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.00 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 36 significant decision points across 315.9 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.
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.
Between Babylon, NY and North Elba, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Gsp South - among others.

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