Origin
Babylon, NY
Late night in Babylon on Friday
Local time
2:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
5h 21m
Distance
249.4 mi
401 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Babylon, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Smyrna, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
This 249.4-mile journey from Babylon, NY to Smyrna, NY is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 5 hours and 21 minutes. It's a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 90% of the route utilizing major roads like the Southern State Parkway, NY 17, and State Highway 8. Given its manageable duration and highway nature, it's well-suited for a day trip, though you could certainly break it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Expect a fuel cost of around $41 for this trip, which traverses the Northeast region entirely within New York State.
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
124.7 miles from Babylon, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 21m. Total distance: 249.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a driving experience that is heavily highway-oriented, making up 90% of the 249.4-mile trip. You'll spend most of your time on the Southern State Parkway, NY 17, and State Highway 8. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 119.5 miles on NY 17, offering a significant period of consistent driving. This profile suggests a journey characterized by relatively high speeds and efficient travel, rather than winding scenic byways.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and State Highway 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.7 miles in.
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 33 significant decision points across 249.4 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 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward Hempstead Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Babylon, NY and Smyrna, 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
Hempstead Avenue West
Grandstand
Upper Level
Njtp South: Hackensack
Gsp South
Gsp North
Newark
Mahwah
New York State Thruway North: Albany
Walton
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 119.5 mi | 2h 27m |
| State Highway 8 | 36.8 mi | 42m |
| Southern State Parkway | 17.9 mi | 22m |
| NJ 17 | 14.7 mi | 18m |
| State Highway 12 | 10.2 mi | 15m |
| West Street | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Babylon, NY and Smyrna, NY.
Start on South Carll Avenue
Turn left onto NY 27A
Turn right onto NY 109
Continue on NY 109
Take the ramp
Merge onto SO
Take the exit
Merge onto CI
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto NY 24
Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue
Turn right onto NY 24
Continue on I 295
Continue on I 295
Continue on I 295
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 4
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on I 287; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on NY 17
Take the exit
Turn right onto NY 8; NY 10
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
Turn straight onto NY 8; NY 10
Continue on NY 8
Continue on NY 8
Turn left onto NY 23
Turn right onto NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Turn left onto NY 80
Continue on NY 80
Continue on NY 80
Arrive at destination
For this 5-hour and 21-minute drive, leaving Babylon, NY early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 119.5 miles on NY 17, plan your breaks strategically. The estimated fuel cost is $41, so ensure your tank is full before you depart. Given it's a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your timing, but staying aware of your progress on NY 17 will help you manage your journey effectively.
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.
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 55 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.7 miles or 2h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smyrna, NY than in the middle of the route.
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 249.4 miles and 5h 21m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124.7 mi from Babylon, NY · 2h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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.
A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 124.7 miles from Babylon, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.5 miles.
The final approach into Smyrna, 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 Smyrna, 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.
Regular Gas
$41.05 one way
$82.11 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $44.39 | $88.78 |
| premium | $4.92 | $48.34 | $96.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.06 | $110.13 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.55
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
$41
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.8 | 0 | $26.19 | $11.97 |
| Efficient EV | 62.4 | 0 | $21.82 | $9.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.8 | 1 | $34.92 | $15.96 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Babylon on Friday
Local time
2:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Smyrna on Friday
Local time
2:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
57°F
Ramapo, NY
125 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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