This 84.8-mile drive from Islip, NY to Mahopac, NY is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 4 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, it's an economical option for a day trip. The route primarily utilizes the Southern State Parkway, I-684, and the Hutchinson River Parkway, offering a consistent driving experience. Given its manageable distance and duration, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You'll find this route convenient for exploring within the Northeast region of New York.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.4 miles from Islip, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 84.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric experience on this 84.8-mile trip, with 76% of the drive taking place on major parkways and interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 24.7 miles on the Southern State Parkway, providing a good period of steady travel. As you transition to I-684 and the Hutchinson River Parkway, the character remains largely focused on efficient highway driving. This route is designed for covering ground, so while it may not offer frequent scenic detours, it delivers a predictable and smooth ride.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 47 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southern State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 24.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern State Parkway and I 684. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 miles in near CR 57 / Howells Road.
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 29 significant decision points across 84.8 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 3.6 miles (CR 57 / Howells Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
3.6 mi into trip|~6m in|CR 57 / Howells Road
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57 / Howells Road toward Howells Road, Deer Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Howells Road, Deer Park
8
31.1 mi into trip|~43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
8
31.2 mi into trip|~43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hempstead Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Hempstead Avenue West
8
40.9 mi into trip|~58m in|I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway toward I 695 North: New Haven
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10
Toward I 695 North: New Haven
9
75.6 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 35: Katonah, Cross River
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6
Toward NY 35: Katonah, Cross River
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Islip, NY and Mahopac, NY, road signs point toward So West: New York, Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Hutchinson Parkway North and Hutchinson River Parkway North - among others.
So West: New York
4.5 mi in|~8m
Cross Island Parkway North
29.4 mi in|~40m
Hempstead Avenue West
31.1 mi in|~43m
Grandstand
31.3 mi in|~43m
Hutchinson Parkway North
43.9 mi in|~1h 2m
Hutchinson River Parkway North
44 mi in|~1h 2m
Katonah
74.8 mi in|~1h 43m
Cross River
75.6 mi in|~1h 44m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Southern State Parkway
24.7 mi
31m
I 684
15.6 mi
18m
Hutchinson River Parkway
13.5 mi
19m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Lovell Street
2.9 mi
6m
Primrose Street
2.7 mi
5m
Throgs Neck Expressway
2.5 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Southern State Parkway
— 24.7 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Islip, NY and Mahopac, NY.
1
Start on NY 27A
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
2
Continue on Montauk Highway
0.2 mi·19 sec·Montauk Highway
3
Continue on NY 27A
1.1 mi·1 min·Main Street
4
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue
5
Continue on CR 57
0.3 mi·36 sec·Rossevelt Street
6
Continue on CR 57
0.7 mi·1 min·Howells Road
Use the left lane.
7
Turn straight onto Sunrise Highway
163 ft·3 sec·Sunrise Highway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57
0.3 mi·36 sec·Howells Road
Toward Howells Road, Deer ParkUse the right lane.
9
Continue on CR 57
0.6 mi·1 min·Bay Shore Road
10
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward SO West: New York
11
Continue on this road
363 ft·8 sec·this road
12
Merge onto SO
25 mi·31 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
15
Take the exit
317 ft·9 sec
Exit 26BToward NY 24: UBS Arena-Belmont ParkUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
437 ft·12 sec
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead AvenueUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West
18
Keep slight right at fork
266 ft·8 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·13 sec·this road
Toward Grandstand, Hempstead Avenue West
20
Keep slight left at fork
100 ft·4 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue
21
Turn right onto NY 24
1.0 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Jamaica Avenue
23
Turn right onto NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·212th Street
24
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
26
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 695
1.8 mi·2 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Exit 10Toward I 695 North: New HavenUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto I 95
1.0 mi·1 min·Bruckner Expressway
29
Continue on I 95
0.2 mi·18 sec·New England Thruway
30
Take the exit
430 ft·14 sec
Exit 9Toward Hutchinson Parkway NorthUse the slight right lane.
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Hutchinson River Parkway NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
32
Merge onto HR
14 mi·19 min·Hutchinson River Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork
1.6 mi·2 min
Exit 16AToward I 684 North: BrewsterUse the slight left lane.
34
Merge onto I 684
16 mi·18 min·I 684
35
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 6Toward NY 35: Cross River, KatonahUse the slight right lane.
36
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 35: Katonah, Cross RiverUse the slight right lane.
37
Keep slight left at fork
244 ft·8 sec
Toward NY 35 West: Katonah
38
Turn left onto NY 35
0.2 mi·36 sec·Cross River Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
39
Continue on NY 35
1.4 mi·1 min·Woods Bridge Road
40
Turn right onto NY 100
0.6 mi·57 sec·Somerstown Turnpike
41
Turn slight left onto NY 139
2.7 mi·5 min·Primrose Street
42
Continue on NY 139
361 ft·8 sec·Primrose Drive
43
Turn right onto US 202
2.9 mi·6 min·Lovell Street
44
Continue on Kennicut Hill Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Kennicut Hill Road
45
At end of road, turn right onto Bucks Hollow Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·Bucks Hollow Road
46
Turn right
88 ft·6 sec
47
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
This 2-hour, 4-minute drive is perfectly suited for a single day, so you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient. Consider leaving earlier in the day to avoid potential traffic, especially as you navigate the parkways. With no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed; the longest stretch without a change in road is 24.7 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $14 for the 84.8 miles, and ensure you have enough to reach Mahopac comfortably.
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 42.4 miles from Islip, NY, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.7 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 19 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.4 miles or 1h 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mahopac, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Islip, 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 Islip, NY
This is one driving day of about 84.8 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Islip, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Southern State Parkway for about 24.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 43.9
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 43.9
Immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife, Fire Island has been a special...
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 35.1
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...
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 35.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.96 one way
$27.92 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$15.09
$30.19
premium
$4.92
$16.44
$32.87
diesel
$5.61
$18.72
$37.45
Estimated Tolls: $6.59
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
Somerstown Turnpike
(0.6 mi)$0.04
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
$14
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.4
0
$8.90
$4.07
Efficient EV
21.2
0
$7.42
$3.39
EV Truck/SUV
33.9
0
$11.87
$5.43
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Islip, NY
Afternoon
in Islip on Friday
Local time
4:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Mahopac, NY
Afternoon
in Mahopac on Friday
Local time
4:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live 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
1 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
2h 4m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Islip, NY to Mahopac, NY covers 84.8 miles and takes about 2h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southern State Parkway, I 684, Hutchinson River 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 42.4 miles from Islip, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.96 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 is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 84.8 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 3.6 miles (CR 57 / Howells Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Islip, NY and Mahopac, NY, road signs point toward So West: New York, Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Hutchinson Parkway North and Hutchinson River Parkway North - among others.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Fire Island National Seashore. 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.
