The drive from Elwood, NY to Ramapo, NY covers 65.7 miles and takes about 1h 35m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Long Island Expressway, NJ 17, Northern State Parkway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 14.8 miles on Long Island Expressway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.81 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
32.9 miles from Elwood, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 65.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 35m highway drive covering 65.7 miles, with most of the trip on Long Island Expressway and NJ 17. The longest continuous stretch is about 14.8 miles on Long Island Expressway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Long Island Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 14.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
321 ft12 ft
Total Climb
458 ft
Total Descent
316 ft
Highest Point
321 ft
~65.7 mi in
Elevation Range
309 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Island Expressway and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 65.7 miles you will encounter 28 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 25 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 28 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
25 mi into trip|~35m in
Take the exit toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 31N-S
Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge,...
10
25.2 mi into trip|~36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 31N
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone B...
8
28.6 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx,...
8
40.8 mi into trip|~59m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
9
41 mi into trip|~59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Elwood, NY and Ramapo, NY, road signs point toward Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Upper Level and Njtp South: Hackensack - among others.
Kennedy Airport
25 mi in|~35m
Cross Island Parkway North
25.2 mi in|~36m
Bronx
28.6 mi in|~41m
New England
28.6 mi in|~41m
Upper Level
38.3 mi in|~55m|via I 95; US 1
Njtp South: Hackensack
40.8 mi in|~59m
Gsp South
47.9 mi in|~1h 9m
Gsp North
47.9 mi in|~1h 9m
Newark
47.9 mi in|~1h 9m
Mahwah
47.9 mi in|~1h 9m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
14.8 mi
20m
NJ 17
14.7 mi
18m
Northern State Parkway
8 mi
10m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Cross Island Parkway
3.1 mi
4m
Throgs Neck Bridge
1.8 mi
3m
I 95 EXPR
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 14.8 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elwood, NY and Ramapo, NY.
1
Start on CR 10
0.5 mi·1 min·Elwood Road
2
Turn right onto NY 25
0.2 mi·21 sec·East Jericho Turnpike
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Keep slight left at fork onto CR 66
0.9 mi·1 min·East Deer Park Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward N West: New York
5
Merge onto N
8.0 mi·10 min·Northern State Parkway
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 37AToward I 495 West: New YorkUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 495
15 mi·20 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 31N-SToward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 31NToward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto CI
3.1 mi·4 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 33Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New EnglandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
13
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi·8 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
16
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
17
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi·39 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 72AToward NJ 4 West: ParamusUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto NJ 4
6.7 mi·9 min·NJ 4
Use the slight right lane.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, MahwahUse the straight lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: MahwahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
28
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
29
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
30
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
0.6 mi·43 sec·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
31
Turn right
195 ft·14 sec
32
Turn slight right
218 ft·17 sec
33
Turn right onto 4th Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·4th Street
34
Turn left onto NY 59
0.2 mi·17 sec·Orange Turnpike
35
Turn right onto CR 95
1.1 mi·2 min·Torne Valley Road
36
Turn left onto Torne Brook Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Torne Brook Road
37
Turn right onto Lake Street
153 ft·6 sec·Lake Street
38
Arrive at destination
Lake Street
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 32.9 miles from Elwood, NY, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.8 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 14 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.9 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ramapo, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elwood, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Elwood, NY
This is one driving day of about 65.7 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Elwood, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Long Island Expressway for about 14.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.9 mi from Elwood, NY
· 48m into the drive
The midpoint is around 32.9 miles from Elwood, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ramapo, NY
The final approach into Ramapo, NY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
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.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
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...
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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 38.5
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 38.5
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 38.5
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 38.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.81 one way
$21.63 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$11.69
$23.39
premium
$4.92
$12.73
$25.47
diesel
$5.61
$14.51
$29.01
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
$11
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.7
0
$6.90
$3.15
Efficient EV
16.4
0
$5.75
$2.63
EV Truck/SUV
26.3
0
$9.20
$4.20
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Elwood, NY
Morning
in Elwood on Saturday
Local time
8:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ramapo, NY
Morning
in Ramapo on Saturday
Local time
8:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy
W 2 to 8 mph24% chanceLive 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.
Temperature spread
13 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
1h 35m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Elwood, NY to Ramapo, NY covers 65.7 miles and takes about 1h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Long Island Expressway, NJ 17, Northern State Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.9 miles from Elwood, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.81 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 65.7 miles you will encounter 28 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 25 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Elwood, NY and Ramapo, NY, road signs point toward Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Upper Level and Njtp South: Hackensack - among others.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 12 ft to 321 ft elevation with about 458 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
