Origin
Buffalo, NY
Afternoon in Buffalo on Sunday
Local time
3:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buffalo, NY to Islip Terrace, NY
Drive Time
8h 51m
Distance
423.5 mi
682 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$69
one way
Islip Terrace, NY
Mel Audelo
Trip Overview
Traveling from Buffalo to Islip Terrace spans 423.5 miles and typically takes about 8 hours and 51 minutes of driving time. Because this is a significant distance, I recommend planning for two days on the road to keep the journey manageable and stress-free. You will primarily utilize the Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and I-81 throughout your trek across the Northeast. With an estimated fuel cost of $69, you can easily budget for your transit expenses ahead of time. While it is technically possible to push through in one long day, breaking the trip into two days allows for a much more relaxed pace as you navigate across New York state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
211.7 miles from Buffalo, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive, as 64% of your journey takes place on high-speed roads designed for efficient travel. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 104.5 miles while cruising along the Southern Tier Expressway, which requires steady focus and good playlist planning. The route transitions through varied terrain, shifting from the regional character of Western New York toward the dense traffic patterns near Islip Terrace. You won't find many technical local roads here, as the focus remains on keeping your momentum high on major interstates. Prepare for a consistent, interstate-heavy experience that prioritizes reaching your destination reliably.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 68 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southern Tier Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 104.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 44 significant decision points across 423.5 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 0.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 255.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 44 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 190 South, NY 5 West: Skyway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward I 190 South, NY 5 West: Skyway
8
5.5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 West: Erie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 54-61
Toward I 90 West: Erie
9
255.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 20m in
|
US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
9
370.7 mi into trip
|
~7h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
9
418.2 mi into trip
|
~8h 43m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Buffalo, NY and Islip Terrace, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level - among others.
Mt Pocono
255.8 mi in
|
~5h 20m
|
via US 6
Milford
256.6 mi in
|
~5h 21m
|
via I 84; I 380
New York City
370.4 mi in
|
~7h 36m
Leonia
370.7 mi in
|
~7h 37m
Teaneck
370.7 mi in
|
~7h 37m
George Washington Bridge Upper Level
372.9 mi in
|
~7h 41m
Cross Island Parkway South
391.5 mi in
|
~8h 7m
Southern State Parkway East
393 mi in
|
~8h 10m
Eastern Long Island
393 mi in
|
~8h 10m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Tier Expressway | 104.5 mi | 2h 2m |
| Keystone Shortway | 80 mi | 1h 37m |
| I 81 | 53.4 mi | 1h 3m |
| Genesee Expressway | 32.6 mi | 37m |
| Southern State Parkway | 24.7 mi | 31m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Aurora Expressway | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| Varysburg Road | 10.9 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
Southern Tier Expressway
— 104.5 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, NY and Islip Terrace, NY.
1
Start on NY 384
100 ft
·
2 sec
·
Niagara Square
2
Continue on Perkins Drive
321 ft
·
16 sec
·
Perkins Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
South Elmwood Avenue
4
Keep slight right at fork
206 ft
·
8 sec
5
At end of road, turn right onto Church Street
501 ft
·
16 sec
·
Church Street
Use the right lane.
6
Take the exit
175 ft
·
4 sec
Toward I 190, NY 5 West: Skyway, Peace Bridge, Canada
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 190 South, NY 5 West: Skyway
Use the left / right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 190
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Niagara Thruway
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 54-61
Toward I 90 West: Erie
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 90
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
New York State Thruway
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 54
Toward NY 400, NY 16: West Seneca, East Aurora
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on NY 400
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Aurora Expressway
Use the none lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 20A, NY 78: East Aurora
14
Turn left onto US 20A; NY 78
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Main Street
15
Continue on US 20A; NY 78
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Big Tree Road
16
Continue on US 20A
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Varysburg Road
17
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Buffalo Road
18
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
West Buffalo Street
19
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Perry Center Road
20
Continue on CR 64
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Perry Road
21
Turn right onto NY 36
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Mount Morris Road
22
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
North Main Street
23
Continue on NY 36
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Sonyea Road
24
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
25
Merge onto I 390
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Genesee Expressway
26
Merge onto I 86
105 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
Southern Tier Expressway
Use the none lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
Use the none lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 6
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford
Use the straight lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 380
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
31
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
32
Merge onto I 80
80 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level
Use the slight right lane.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
Use the slight right lane.
36
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 70A
Toward Leonia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft
·
9 sec
·
Degraw Avenue
38
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Fort Lee Road
Use the none lane.
39
Continue on CR 56
469 ft
·
13 sec
·
Main Street
40
Take the ramp
472 ft
·
12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
41
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Bergen Boulevard
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
312 ft
·
4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
43
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
44
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
45
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
46
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Use the none lane.
47
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
48
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6B
Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
49
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the none lane.
50
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
51
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
52
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
53
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Jamaica Avenue
Use the left / none lanes.
54
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Hempstead Avenue
Use the none lane.
55
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft
·
9 sec
·
225th Street
Use the right lane.
56
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
57
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Cross Island Parkway
Use the none lane.
58
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 25A
Toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
59
Merge onto SO
25 mi
·
31 min
·
Southern State Parkway
Use the none lane.
60
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Southern State Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
61
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 41S
Toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore
Use the slight right lane.
62
Turn straight onto CR 57
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Bay Shore Road
Use the none lane.
63
Continue on CR 57
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Howells Road
Use the none lane.
64
Turn straight onto CR 57
341 ft
·
6 sec
·
Sunrise Highway
65
Keep slight left at fork onto Sunrise Highway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunrise Highway
Toward NY 27 East
Use the none lane.
66
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward NY 27 East: Montauk
67
Merge onto NY 27
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Sunrise Highway
Use the none lane.
68
Arrive at destination
NY 27
Trip Plan
To keep your trip efficient, plan for at least two intentional stops along the way to break up the nearly nine-hour duration. Because this route relies heavily on major arteries like I-81, keep an eye on traffic reports, as congestion can fluctuate significantly near population centers. If you decide to split the trip over two days, aim to find a midpoint hotel that allows you to tackle the final leg with fresh energy. Since your fuel budget is roughly $69, monitor your gas mileage early on to ensure your estimates hold up. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to double-check your departure time to avoid hitting peak rush-hour traffic as you approach Islip Terrace.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 211.7 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 4h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 93 miles or 2h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 211.7 miles or 4h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 211.7 miles or 4h 28m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Islip Terrace, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Buffalo, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Buffalo, NY
Aim for roughly 212 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Islip Terrace, NY
Aim for roughly 212 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from Buffalo, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Southern Tier Expressway for about 104.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 211.7 mi from Buffalo, NY · 4h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
212 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Ramapo, NYOvernight Options
Night 1
212 mi · about 4.4h in
A practical overnight split lands near Ramapo, NY after about 212 miles or 4.4 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 93 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 211.7 miles from Buffalo, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.5 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 212 miles or 4.4 hours on the road.
Arriving in Islip Terrace, NY
The final approach into Islip Terrace, 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 Terrace, NY.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Islip Terrace, NY with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
$68.94 one way
$137.89 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
148 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $74.71 | $149.43 |
| premium | $4.88 | $81.42 | $162.83 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $94.09 | $188.17 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.85
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
Niagara Thruway
(4.9 mi)
$0.24
New York State Thruway
(1.3 mi)
$0.06
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
$69
Tolls
$23
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$222–$332
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 148.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 127.1 | 1 | $44.47 | $20.33 |
| Efficient EV | 105.9 | 1 | $37.06 | $16.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 169.4 | 2 | $59.29 | $27.10 |
Gas CO2
148 kg
EV CO2
50 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Islip Terrace, NY
Afternoon in Islip Terrace on Sunday
Local time
3:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
59°F
Ramapo, NY
212 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
5 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
8h 51m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Buffalo, NY to Islip Terrace, NY covers 423.5 miles and takes about 8h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, I 81. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 212 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 211.7 miles from Buffalo, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $68.94 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 2 meaningful breaks 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 44 significant decision points across 423.5 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 0.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 255.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Buffalo, NY and Islip Terrace, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level - among others.
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