The drive from Gaines, NY to Islip, NY covers 399.8 miles and takes about 8h 29m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on I 81, Keystone Shortway, New York State Thruway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 98.8 miles on I 81.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $65.81 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
199.9 miles from Gaines, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 19m into the drive
.
Islip (pronounced "ICE-lip") is a town on Long Island in the state of New York. Located within Suffolk County, the Town of Islip includes the villages of Brightwaters, Islandia, Ocean Beach and Saltaire. It also includes numerous hamlets including Bay Shore and Sayville which are ferry terminals for Fire Island. Other prominent communities are Bayport, Brentwood, Central Islip, Hauppauge, Islip village (the town seat), and Ronkonkoma.
Top landmarks
•Bayport Aerodrome — airport in Suffolk County, New York, United States
•Connetquot River State Park Preserve — state park in New York
•Modesty — oyster-dredging sloop built in Long Island
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 8h 29m drive with frequent turns across 399.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 88 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 98.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 82.4 miles in.
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 47 significant decision points across 399.8 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 82.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 347.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 47 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
82.4 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
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 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
232.7 mi into trip|~4h 58m 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...
8
347.3 mi into trip|~7h 14m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
347.6 mi into trip|~7h 14m 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
395.2 mi into trip|~8h 20m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gaines, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.
Clyde
82.4 mi in|~1h 42m
Mt Pocono
232.7 mi in|~4h 58m|via US 6
Milford
233.5 mi in|~4h 59m|via I 84; I 380
New York City
347.3 mi in|~7h 14m
Leonia
347.6 mi in|~7h 14m
Teaneck
347.6 mi in|~7h 14m
George Washington Bridge Upper Level
349.8 mi in|~7h 19m
Cross Island Parkway South
368.4 mi in|~7h 45m
Southern State Parkway East
370 mi in|~7h 48m
Eastern Long Island
370 mi in|~7h 48m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
New York State Thruway
30 mi
34m
Southern State Parkway
24.7 mi
31m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Western Expressway
20.1 mi
26m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gaines, NY and Islip, NY.
1
Start on NY 279
1.9 mi·2 min·Gaines Road
2
Turn straight onto NY 98
0.5 mi·51 sec·Oak Orchard Road
3
Continue on NY 98
1.0 mi·1 min·North Main Street
4
Turn left onto NY 31
1.4 mi·1 min·East Avenue
5
Continue on NY 31
3.8 mi·4 min·State Route 31
6
Continue on NY 31
1.1 mi·1 min·Fancher Road
7
Turn straight onto NY 31
0.3 mi·18 sec·State Route 31
8
Continue on NY 31
2.3 mi·2 min·Holley Road
9
Continue on NY 31
0.5 mi·36 sec·West Albion Street
10
Continue on NY 31
0.1 mi·7 sec·Wright Street
11
Continue on NY 31
408 ft·5 sec·Public Square
12
Continue on NY 31
382 ft·5 sec·Mechanic Street
13
Continue on NY 31
0.5 mi·1 min·State Street
14
Continue on NY 31
1.6 mi·2 min·Brockport-Holley Road
15
Continue on NY 31
1.0 mi·1 min·West Avenue
16
Turn right onto NY 19 Truck; NY 31
1.5 mi·1 min·Redman Road
17
Turn left onto NY 19 Truck; NY 31
1.2 mi·1 min·Fourth Section Road
18
Continue on NY 31
4.8 mi·5 min·Brockport-Spencerport Road
19
Continue on NY 531
7.5 mi·8 min·NY 531
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 490 East: Rochester
21
Merge onto I 490
20 mi·26 min·Western Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
23
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
26
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
27
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
28
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
29
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
30
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
31
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
32
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
33
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
34
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
35
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
36
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
37
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
38
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
39
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
40
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
41
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
42
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
43
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
46
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
47
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
48
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
49
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
50
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
51
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
53
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
54
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
55
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
56
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
57
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
58
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
59
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
60
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
61
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
62
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
63
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
64
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
65
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.
66
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
67
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
68
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
69
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
70
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
71
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
72
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
73
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
74
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
75
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
76
Merge onto SO
25 mi·31 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
77
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
78
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 41SToward Bay Shore Road South, Bay ShoreUse the slight right lane.
79
Turn straight onto CR 57
0.5 mi·1 min·Bay Shore Road
80
Continue on CR 57
0.3 mi·43 sec·Howells Road
81
Turn straight onto CR 57
341 ft·6 sec·Sunrise Highway
82
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57
0.6 mi·1 min·Howells Road
Toward Howells Road SouthUse the right lane.
83
Continue on CR 57
0.2 mi·24 sec·Roosevelt Street
84
Continue on CR 57
0.7 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue
85
At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A
1.1 mi·1 min·East Main Street
86
Continue on Montauk Highway
0.2 mi·17 sec·Montauk Highway
87
Continue on NY 27A
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
88
Arrive at destination
NY 27A
Trip Plan
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 199.9 miles from Gaines, NY, or about 4h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 88 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 199.9 miles or 4h 19m 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 199.9 miles or 4h 19m
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 6m
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 Gaines, 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 Gaines, NY
Aim for roughly 200 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Islip, NY
Aim for roughly 200 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Gaines, 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 I 81 for about 98.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 199.9 mi from Gaines, NY
· 4h 19m into the drive
The midpoint is around 199.9 miles from Gaines, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.8 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 200 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.
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.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Islip, NY with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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.
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 82.7
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 344.6
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 358.4
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 344.6
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...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 344.6
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
119.9
1
$41.98
$19.19
Efficient EV
100
1
$34.98
$15.99
EV Truck/SUV
159.9
1
$55.97
$25.59
Gas CO2
140 kg
EV CO2
47 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Gaines, NY
Morning
in Gaines on Saturday
Local time
7:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Islip, NY
Morning
in Islip on Saturday
Local time
7:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
57°F
Ramapo, NY
200 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
8 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 29m 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 Gaines, NY to Islip, NY covers 399.8 miles and takes about 8h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Keystone Shortway, New York State Thruway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
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 200 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 199.9 miles from Gaines, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $65.81 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 47 significant decision points across 399.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 82.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 347.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Gaines, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
