Origin
East Ithaca, NY
Late night in East Ithaca on Friday
Local time
4:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 40m
Distance
271.7 mi
437 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Ithaca, NY
Abhishek Navlakha
Islip, NY
Wikimedia Commons
This 271.7-mile journey from East Ithaca, NY to Islip, NY will take approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes. It's a manageable one-day drive, and you can expect to spend around $45 on fuel. The route primarily uses the Keystone Shortway and I-81 before transitioning to the Southern State Parkway. This trip stays within the Northeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout your drive. It’s a practical option for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
135.9 miles from East Ithaca, 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 40m. Total distance: 271.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for a significant portion of this route, with 58% of it being highway. While there are stretches on major roads like the Keystone Shortway and I-81, the overall character is less about continuous interstate cruising. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is about 80 miles on the Keystone Shortway. This means you'll experience a dynamic driving experience with frequent changes in road type and potentially more local traffic as you get closer to your destination.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 104.7 miles in near US 6.
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 35 significant decision points across 271.7 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 104.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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 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
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Ithaca, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level - among others.
Mt Pocono
Milford
New York City
Leonia
Teaneck
George Washington Bridge Upper Level
Cross Island Parkway South
Southern State Parkway East
Eastern Long Island
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 80 mi | 1h 37m |
| I 81 | 73.5 mi | 1h 28m |
| Southern State Parkway | 24.7 mi | 31m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| State Highway 79 | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| Slaterville Road | 11.1 mi | 16m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 5.5 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between East Ithaca, NY and Islip, NY.
Start on NY 366
Turn left onto Elmwood Avenue
Turn left onto Worth Street
Turn right onto Cornell Street
Turn left onto NY 79
Continue on NY 79
Continue on NY 79
Continue on NY 79
Turn right onto NY 26
Take the exit
Merge onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
Continue on I 84; I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right
Turn straight onto CR 56
Continue on CR 56
Continue on CR 56
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
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
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
Take the exit
Turn straight onto CR 57
Continue on CR 57
Turn straight onto CR 57
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57
Continue on CR 57
Continue on CR 57
At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A
Continue on Montauk Highway
Continue on NY 27A
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 5-hour, 40-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially as you approach the Southern State Parkway. With one suggested stop, you can break up the 271.7 miles comfortably. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $45. A good tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the transition from I-81 to the Keystone Shortway, as this is where the drive begins to feel more like local travel and less like pure interstate.
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 60 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.9 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Islip, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving East Ithaca, 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 East Ithaca, NY
This is one driving day of about 271.7 miles and 5h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 135.9 mi from East Ithaca, NY · 2h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 135.9 miles from East Ithaca, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$44.72 one way
$89.45 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $48.36 | $96.72 |
| premium | $4.92 | $52.66 | $105.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.99 | $119.98 |
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
$45
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.5 | 1 | $28.53 | $13.04 |
| Efficient EV | 67.9 | 0 | $23.77 | $10.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.7 | 1 | $38.04 | $17.39 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in East Ithaca on Friday
Local time
4:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Islip on Friday
Local time
4:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
57°F
Ramapo, NY
136 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.
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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