Independence, NY to Babylon, NY is 342.3 miles and takes about 7h 15m via Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and I 81, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive will take you across New York State, primarily utilizing major expressways. Given the relatively short duration, it's a manageable one-day trip, ideal if you want to reach your destination without an overnight stop. You'll be on the road for a significant portion of the day, so prepare for a steady pace.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
171.1 miles from Independence, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 41m into the drive
.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 15m. Total distance: 342.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 68% of the journey on major roads like the Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and I 81. Expect stretches of consistent speed, particularly the longest uninterrupted segment of 80.1 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway. While the majority of the drive involves high-speed travel, the transition between these main arteries will offer a slight change of pace. The character remains largely consistent, prioritizing direct travel over winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 53 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 80.1 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 181.6 miles in near US 6.
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 36 significant decision points across 342.3 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 181.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 296.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 296.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 36 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
181.6 mi into trip|~3h 53m 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
296.1 mi into trip|~6h 9m 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
296.4 mi into trip|~6h 9m 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
8
305.8 mi into trip|~6h 24m in|I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway
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
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 6B
Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge
8
318.8 mi into trip|~6h 42m in
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
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 25A
Toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Lon...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Independence, NY and Babylon, NY, road signs point toward Binghamton, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.
Step-by-step road directions between Independence, NY and Babylon, NY.
1
Start on CR 22
4.6 mi·11 min·Independence Road
2
Turn right onto NY 417
15 mi·22 min·State Highway 417
3
At end of road, turn left onto NY 36; NY 417
1.2 mi·1 min·State Highway 36
4
Turn right onto NY 417
16 mi·24 min·State Highway 417
5
Continue on NY 417
0.7 mi·1 min·Tuscarora Street
6
Continue on NY 417
0.2 mi·13 sec·Main Street
7
Continue on NY 417
1.1 mi·1 min·Front Street
8
Continue on NY 417
365 ft·6 sec·State Highway 417
9
Continue on NY 417
3.5 mi·5 min·Addison Road
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 15 North
11
Merge onto I 99; US 15
3.6 mi·4 min·I 99; US 15
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 13A-BToward I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamton
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 13AToward I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamton
14
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
80 mi·1 hr 34 min·Southern Tier Expressway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
16
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.
17
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.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
19
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
20
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
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.
22
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.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
26
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
28
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
29
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
31
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
33
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
35
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
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.
37
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
38
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
41
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
42
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
43
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
44
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
45
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
47
Merge onto SO
18 mi·22 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 33Toward NY 109 East: BabylonUse the slight right lane.
49
Turn slight right onto NY 109
3.5 mi·5 min·Farmingdale Road
Use the left lane.
50
Continue on NY 109
0.9 mi·1 min·Little East Neck Road North
51
Turn left onto NY 27A
0.5 mi·49 sec·West Main Street
52
Turn right onto South Carll Avenue
68 ft·2 sec·South Carll Avenue
53
Arrive at destination
South Carll Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7h 15m drive, consider an early morning departure from Independence, NY, to ensure you have ample daylight for the 342.3-mile journey. With only 2 recommended stops, plan them strategically for fuel and a brief break, perhaps around the halfway point. The $57 fuel cost is an estimate, so keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, especially during the 80.1-mile stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway where services might be less frequent. This is a drive that can comfortably be completed in one day, allowing for a flexible schedule upon arrival in Babylon, NY.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 171.1 miles from Independence, NY, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.1 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 75 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.1 miles or 3h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Babylon, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Independence, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Independence, NY
This is one driving day of about 342.3 miles and 7h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Independence, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Southern Tier Expressway for about 80.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 171.1 mi from Independence, NY
· 3h 41m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 295.1
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 295.1
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
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 295.1
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 295.1
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 295.1
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 295.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.34 one way
$112.69 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$60.93
$121.85
premium
$4.92
$66.34
$132.69
diesel
$5.61
$75.58
$151.15
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
$56
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$104–$129
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.7
1
$35.94
$16.43
Efficient EV
85.6
0
$29.95
$13.69
EV Truck/SUV
136.9
1
$47.92
$21.91
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Independence, NY
Afternoon
in Independence on Saturday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Babylon, NY
Afternoon
in Babylon on Saturday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
171 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
12 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 15m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Independence, NY to Babylon, NY covers 342.3 miles and takes about 7h 15m 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.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 171.1 miles from Independence, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $56.34 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 36 significant decision points across 342.3 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 181.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 296.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 296.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Independence, NY and Babylon, NY, road signs point toward Binghamton, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.
Yes. Nearby national parks include General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
