This 329-mile journey from Independence, NY, to Oyster Bay, NY, is designed as a single-day adventure, estimated to take about 7 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. You'll primarily navigate major arteries like the Southern Tier Expressway and I-81, with 64% of the drive being on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $54 and planned stops, this highway-focused route offers a straightforward path across New York. It's a practical option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently within the Northeast region.
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
164.5 miles from Independence, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 2m. Total distance: 329 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric experience on this route, with 64% of the miles on expressways. The Southern Tier Expressway will present the longest uninterrupted stretch at 80.1 miles, allowing for consistent progress. While largely a highway drive, the transition between the Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and I-81 means you'll experience shifts in road character as you move through different sections of New York. It's a profile built for covering distance with relative ease.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 50 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 46.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 30 significant decision points across 329 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 46.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 30 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
46.8 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 13A-B
Toward I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamt...
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
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 Oyster Bay, 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 Oyster Bay, 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
2.0 mi·2 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 5Toward NY 25A: Northern BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on Clearview Expressway
457 ft·17 sec·Clearview Expressway
42
Turn left onto NY 25A
15 mi·24 min·Northern Boulevard
Use the left lane.
43
Turn left onto NY 106
0.3 mi·29 sec·Jericho Oyster Bay Road
44
Turn straight onto NY 106
0.5 mi·46 sec·Oyster Bay Road
45
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 106
260 ft·4 sec·Oyster Bay Road
46
Continue on NY 106
0.9 mi·1 min·Pine Hollow Road
Use the left lane.
47
Continue on NY 106
105 ft·5 sec·South Street
48
Turn right onto Berry Hill Road
112 ft·9 sec·Berry Hill Road
49
Continue on Berry Hill Road
64 ft·2 sec·Berry Hill Road
50
Arrive at destination
Berry Hill Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 329 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 80.1-mile stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway, as services can be spaced out. Planning your stops around these longer highway segments will ensure you stay comfortable and on schedule for your arrival in Oyster Bay.
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 164.5 miles from Independence, NY, or about 3h 33m 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 72 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.5 miles or 3h 33m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oyster Bay, 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 329 miles and 7h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 164.5 mi from Independence, NY
· 3h 33m into the drive
The midpoint is around 166.4 miles from Independence, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Oyster Bay, NY
The final approach into Oyster Bay, 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 Oyster Bay, NY.
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.
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 298.5
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 298.5
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 298.5
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 298.5
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 298.5
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 298.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.16 one way
$108.31 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$58.56
$117.12
premium
$4.92
$63.77
$127.53
diesel
$5.61
$72.64
$145.28
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
$54
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$102–$127
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.7
1
$34.55
$15.79
Efficient EV
82.3
0
$28.79
$13.16
EV Truck/SUV
131.6
1
$46.06
$21.06
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 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
Night
in Independence on Thursday
Local time
11:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oyster Bay, NY
Night
in Oyster Bay on Thursday
Local time
11:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
165 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
11 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 2m 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 Oyster Bay, NY covers 329 miles and takes about 7h 2m 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 164.5 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 $54.16 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 30 significant decision points across 329 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 46.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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.
Between Independence, NY and Oyster Bay, NY, road signs point toward Binghamton, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.
