Origin
Catskill, NY
Night in Catskill on Wednesday
Local time
9:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 16m
Distance
153.8 mi
248 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Catskill, NY
Matteo Milan
Babylon, NY
Wikimedia Commons
This 153.8-mile drive from Catskill, NY to Babylon, NY is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 16 minutes. The route primarily utilizes the New York State Thruway and the Southern State Parkway, with a brief section on NJ 17. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, this journey offers a straightforward transition within the Northeast region. It's a practical option for a quick getaway or a necessary commute, designed for efficient travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.9 miles from Catskill, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with about 37% of it being highway travel. You'll experience an 83.1-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway, offering a chance for consistent speed. The drive then transitions to parkway driving, which generally features more controlled access and a different feel. This blend means you'll encounter both high-speed sections and potentially more varied traffic patterns as you approach your destination.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 86.9 miles in near NY 17.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 153.8 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 86.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.4 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Take the exit toward NY 109 East: Babylon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Catskill, NY and Babylon, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York, Cross Island Parkway South, Southern State Parkway East and Eastern Long Island.
Gsp South: Paterson
Fort Lee
New York
Cross Island Parkway South
Southern State Parkway East
Eastern Long Island
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 83.1 mi | 1h 35m |
| Southern State Parkway | 18 mi | 22m |
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Clearview Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| Farmingdale Road | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Throgs Neck Bridge | 2 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Catskill, NY and Babylon, NY.
Start on Main Street
Turn right onto NY 385
Turn left onto NY 385
Turn left onto NY 23
Take the exit
Turn right onto CR 23B
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto NJ 4
Continue on NJ 4
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
Continue on I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95; US 1
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
Merge onto I 295
Continue on I 295
Continue on I 295
Continue on NY 24
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
Turn right onto 225th Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto CI
Take the exit
Merge onto SO
Take the exit
Turn slight right onto NY 109
Continue on NY 109
Turn left onto NY 27A
Turn right onto South Carll Avenue
Arrive at destination
For this relatively short, 3-hour drive, you have the flexibility to depart at a time that suits you best, though avoiding peak rush hours on the parkways is always a good idea. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete the journey without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $25, and plan your fill-up accordingly before hitting the longer highway stretches. A useful tip is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between the Thruway and the Southern State Parkway, as these can sometimes be busy.
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 34 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.9 miles or 1h 31m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Babylon, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Catskill, 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 Catskill, NY
This is one driving day of about 153.8 miles and 3h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.9 mi from Catskill, NY · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 76.9 miles from Catskill, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.1 miles.
The final approach into Babylon, 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 Babylon, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$25.32 one way
$50.63 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $27.38 | $54.75 |
| premium | $4.92 | $29.81 | $59.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.96 | $67.91 |
Estimated Tolls: $26.71
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
$25
Tolls
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.15 | $7.38 |
| Efficient EV | 38.5 | 0 | $13.46 | $6.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.5 | 0 | $21.53 | $9.84 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Catskill on Wednesday
Local time
9:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Babylon on Wednesday
Local time
9:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 5:45PM EDT until April 14 at 6:30PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 2:52PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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