The drive from Beacon, NY to Islip, NY covers 103.3 miles and takes about 2h 27m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Palisades Interstate Parkway, Southern State Parkway, Cross Bronx Expressway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 37.7 miles on Palisades Interstate Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.00 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.6 miles from Beacon, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 103.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 27m highway drive covering 103.3 miles, with most of the trip on Palisades Interstate Parkway and Southern State Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 37.7 miles on Palisades Interstate Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 48 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Palisades Interstate Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 37.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Palisades Interstate Parkway and Southern State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.9 miles in near Palisades Interstate Parkway.
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 21 significant decision points across 103.3 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 18.9 miles (Palisades Interstate Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.5 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
18.9 mi into trip|~33m in|Palisades Interstate Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
60.5 mi into trip|~1h 27m 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
73.5 mi into trip|~1h 46m 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...
9
98.7 mi into trip|~2h 18m in
Take the exit toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41S
Toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore
7
99.8 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|CR 57 / Howells Road
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57 / Howells Road toward Howells Road South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Howells Road South
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Beacon, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway South, Southern State Parkway East and Eastern Long Island.
Cross Island Parkway South
71.9 mi in|~1h 43m
Southern State Parkway East
73.5 mi in|~1h 46m
Eastern Long Island
73.5 mi in|~1h 46m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Palisades Interstate Parkway
37.7 mi
48m
Southern State Parkway
24.7 mi
31m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Bear Mountain-Beacon Highway
5 mi
8m
State Highway 9D
4.6 mi
7m
Breakneck Road
3.1 mi
4m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Palisades Interstate Parkway
— 37.7 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beacon, NY and Islip, NY.
1
Start on NY 52 Bus
0.2 mi·27 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto Teller Avenue
0.3 mi·57 sec·Teller Avenue
3
Turn left onto NY 9D
1.5 mi·3 min·Wolcott Avenue
4
Continue on NY 9D
3.1 mi·4 min·Breakneck Road
5
Continue on NY 9D
1.6 mi·2 min·State Highway 9D
6
Continue on NY 9D
0.5 mi·1 min·Morris Avenue
7
Continue on NY 9D
0.2 mi·24 sec·Chestnut Street
8
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 9D
0.3 mi·34 sec·State Highway 9D
9
Continue on NY 9D
2.7 mi·4 min·Bear Mountain-Beacon Highway
10
Continue on NY 9D
1.3 mi·2 min·State Highway 9D
11
Continue on NY 9D
358 ft·7 sec·Route 9D
12
Continue on NY 9D
1.4 mi·2 min·State Highway 9D
13
Continue on NY 9D
2.3 mi·4 min·Bear Mountain-Beacon Highway
14
Continue on NY 9D
0.2 mi·26 sec·Bear Mountain-Beacon trail = yes
15
Turn straight
209 ft·10 sec
Toward US 6 West, US 202 West: Bear Mountain
16
Merge onto US 6; US 202
0.5 mi·57 sec·Bear Mountain Bridge
17
Turn slight right onto US 6; US 202
319 ft·7 sec·US 6; US 202
18
Enter roundabout onto US 6
295 ft·4 sec·Palisades Interstate Parkway
19
Continue on US 6
2.5 mi·3 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
20
Keep slight left at fork onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
35 mi·44 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·52 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
22
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
24
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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.
26
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
27
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
30
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
31
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
32
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
33
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
34
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
36
Merge onto SO
25 mi·31 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 41SToward Bay Shore Road South, Bay ShoreUse the slight right lane.
39
Turn straight onto CR 57
0.5 mi·1 min·Bay Shore Road
40
Continue on CR 57
0.3 mi·43 sec·Howells Road
41
Turn straight onto CR 57
341 ft·6 sec·Sunrise Highway
42
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57
0.6 mi·1 min·Howells Road
Toward Howells Road SouthUse the right lane.
43
Continue on CR 57
0.2 mi·24 sec·Roosevelt Street
44
Continue on CR 57
0.7 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue
45
At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A
1.1 mi·1 min·East Main Street
46
Continue on Montauk Highway
0.2 mi·17 sec·Montauk Highway
47
Continue on NY 27A
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
48
Arrive at destination
NY 27A
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 51.6 miles from Beacon, NY, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.7 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 23 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.6 miles or 1h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Islip, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Beacon, 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 Beacon, NY
This is one driving day of about 103.3 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Beacon, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Palisades Interstate Parkway for about 37.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 51.6 mi from Beacon, NY
· 1h 15m into the drive
The midpoint is around 51.6 miles from Beacon, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Islip, NY
The final approach into Islip, 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 Islip, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 53.4
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...
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
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 53.4
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
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 53.4
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 53.4
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 53.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.00 one way
$34.01 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$18.39
$36.77
premium
$4.92
$20.02
$40.04
diesel
$5.61
$22.81
$45.61
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
$17
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31
0
$10.85
$4.96
Efficient EV
25.8
0
$9.04
$4.13
EV Truck/SUV
41.3
0
$14.46
$6.61
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Beacon, NY
Evening
in Beacon on Thursday
Local time
6:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Destination
Islip, NY
Evening
in Islip on Thursday
Local time
6:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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.
Road read
2h 27m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Beacon, NY to Islip, NY covers 103.3 miles and takes about 2h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Palisades Interstate Parkway, Southern State Parkway, Cross Bronx Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 51.6 miles from Beacon, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.00 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 103.3 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 18.9 miles (Palisades Interstate Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.5 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Beacon, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway South, Southern State Parkway East and Eastern Long Island.
Yes. Nearby national parks include General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
