The drive from Islip, NY to Saranac Lake, NY covers 334.4 miles and takes about 7h 2m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on NY 17, Adirondack Northway, Southern State Parkway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 111.7 miles on NY 17.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $55.04 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
167.2 miles from Islip, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 29m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 2m. Total distance: 334.4 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
This is a 7h 2m highway drive covering 334.4 miles, with most of the trip on NY 17 and Adirondack Northway. The longest continuous stretch is about 111.7 miles on NY 17.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 62 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NY 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 111.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,544 ft44 ft
Total Climb
1,741 ft
Total Descent
241 ft
Highest Point
1,544 ft
~334.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,500 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and Adirondack Northway. 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 39 significant decision points across 334.4 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 39 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
50 mi into trip|~1h 10m 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
50.3 mi into trip|~1h 11m 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 Islip, NY and Saranac Lake, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Gsp South - among others.
Cross Island Parkway North
29.4 mi in|~40m
Hempstead Avenue West
31.1 mi in|~43m
Grandstand
31.3 mi in|~43m
Upper Level
47.5 mi in|~1h 6m|via I 95; US 1
Njtp South: Hackensack
50 mi in|~1h 10m
Gsp South
57.1 mi in|~1h 20m
Gsp North
57.1 mi in|~1h 20m
Newark
57.1 mi in|~1h 20m
Mahwah
57.1 mi in|~1h 20m
New York State Thruway North: Albany
72.4 mi in|~1h 40m|via NY 17
Troy
184.1 mi in|~3h 49m
Saratoga Springs
193.7 mi in|~4h 2m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
111.7 mi
2h 8m
Adirondack Northway
97.7 mi
1h 53m
Southern State Parkway
24.7 mi
31m
State Highway 73
18.7 mi
27m
NJ 17
14.7 mi
18m
I 787
9 mi
12m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 111.7 mi, about 2h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Islip, NY and Saranac Lake, 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 left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi·8 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
29
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
30
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
31
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.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 72AToward NJ 4 West: ParamusUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
35
Merge onto NJ 4
6.7 mi·9 min·NJ 4
Use the slight right lane.
36
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.
37
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: MahwahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
41
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
42
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
43
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
112 mi·2 hr 8 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 23Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, TroyUse the slight right lane.
45
Continue on I 787
9.0 mi·12 min·I 787
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 787
0.4 mi·29 sec·NY 787
47
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 9WToward NY 7 West: Schenectady, Saratoga SpringsUse the right lane.
48
Merge onto NY 7
3.1 mi·3 min·NY 7
49
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 North: Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls
50
Merge onto I 87
98 mi·1 hr 53 min·Adirondack Northway
51
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 30Toward US 9, NY 73: Keene, Keene Valley
52
Turn left onto US 9
2.2 mi·2 min·US Highway 9
53
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 73
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 73
54
Continue on NY 9N; NY 73
1.8 mi·3 min·State Highway 9N
55
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 73
7.2 mi·10 min·State Highway 73
56
Continue on NY 73
5.3 mi·7 min·Cascade Road
57
Turn slight left onto CR 35
3.6 mi·6 min·Old Military Road
58
At end of road, turn left onto NY 86
4.9 mi·7 min·Saranac-Placid Road
59
Continue on NY 86
1.2 mi·3 min·Lake Flower Avenue
60
At end of road, turn left onto NY 86
0.3 mi·42 sec·River Street
61
Turn right onto NY 3; NY 86
0.4 mi·42 sec·Church Street
62
Arrive at destination
NY 3; NY 86
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 167.2 miles from Islip, NY, or about 3h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.7 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 74 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.2 miles or 3h 29m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saranac Lake, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Islip, NY
This is one driving day of about 334.4 miles and 7h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Islip, 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 NY 17 for about 111.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 167.2 mi from Islip, NY
· 3h 29m into the drive
The midpoint is around 167.2 miles from Islip, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.7 miles.
Arriving in Saranac Lake, NY
The final approach into Saranac Lake, 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 Saranac Lake, NY.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.04 one way
$110.09 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg117 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$59.52
$119.04
premium
$4.92
$64.81
$129.63
diesel
$5.61
$73.83
$147.66
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
$55
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$103–$128
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117 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
100.3
1
$35.11
$16.05
Efficient EV
83.6
0
$29.26
$13.38
EV Truck/SUV
133.8
1
$46.82
$21.40
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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 13, 2026
Origin
Islip, NY
Afternoon
in Islip on Thursday
Local time
4:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 9 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 13 at 12:55AM EDT until April 13 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 12:22AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Saranac Lake, NY
Afternoon
in Saranac Lake on Thursday
Local time
4:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
167 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 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 Islip, NY to Saranac Lake, NY covers 334.4 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 NY 17, Adirondack Northway, Southern 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 167.2 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 $55.04 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 39 significant decision points across 334.4 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 Saranac Lake, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Gsp South - among others.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 44 ft to 1,544 ft elevation with about 1,741 ft of total climbing.
