Trip from Islip Terrace, NY to Syracuse, NY

Drive Time

6h 11m

Distance

303.1 mi

488 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

5h 59m ★

6 AM

6h 12m

8 AM

6h 37m

10 AM

6h 21m

12 PM

6h 18m

3 PM

6h 22m

5 PM

6h 36m

8 PM

6h 4m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Islip Terrace, NY

Mel Audelo

Syracuse, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

Traveling from Islip Terrace to Syracuse covers 303.1 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 11 minutes of driving time. Because this is a highway-focused journey, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $49 on fuel to navigate this Northeast route. The drive transitions from the suburban landscapes of Long Island into the heart of Upstate New York. It is a straightforward trek that serves as a reliable connection between these two points, making it an efficient choice for those looking to reach their destination without unnecessary detours.

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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

151.6 miles from Islip Terrace, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 13m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a trip dominated by major interstates, with 68% of your journey occurring on highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-81, I-380, and the Christopher Columbus Highway. The longest stretch you will face is a 128.5-mile block on I-81, which requires steady focus behind the wheel. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the pace remains relatively consistent throughout the day. While the road lacks the technical challenges of local backroads, the sheer distance requires you to maintain a steady rhythm as you navigate through the regional highway system.

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.

I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 128.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 34 significant decision points across 303.1 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 2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 34 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

2 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the exit toward NY 27A, CR 85: Montauk Highway, Oakdale, Great River

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. Exit 46A Toward NY 27A, CR 85: Montauk Highway, Oakdale,...

37 mi into trip | ~49m 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

37.2 mi into trip | ~49m 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

56 mi into trip | ~1h 16m 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

56.3 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

Towns Along This Route

Between Islip Terrace, NY and Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Hackensack - among others.

Cross Island Parkway North

35.4 mi in | ~46m

Hempstead Avenue West

37.1 mi in | ~49m

Grandstand

37.3 mi in | ~49m

Upper Level

53.5 mi in | ~1h 12m | via I 95; US 1

Njtp South: Hackensack

56 mi in | ~1h 16m

Hackensack

58.6 mi in | ~1h 19m

Albany

231.4 mi in | ~4h 46m | via I 81

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 81	128.5 mi	2h 31m
Christopher Columbus Highway	68.2 mi	1h 20m
I 380	27.7 mi	30m
Southern State Parkway	25 mi	31m
Keystone Shortway	17.3 mi	24m
Heckscher State Parkway	6.9 mi	8m
Cross Bronx Expressway	6.6 mi	8m
Clearview Expressway	5 mi	5m

Longest stretch: I 81 — 128.5 mi, about 2h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Islip Terrace, NY and Syracuse, NY.

Start on NY 27

2.0 mi · 2 min · Sunrise Highway

Take the exit

442 ft · 18 sec

Exit 46A Toward NY 27A, CR 85: Montauk Highway, Oakdale, Great River Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto NY 27A

1.2 mi · 2 min · Montauk Highway

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Toward To NY 27: Southern Parkway west, New York

Merge onto H

6.9 mi · 8 min · Heckscher State Parkway

Use the none lane.

Continue on SO

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Southern State Parkway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto SO

25 mi · 31 min · Southern State Parkway

Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto CI

1.3 mi · 1 min · Cross Island Parkway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

317 ft · 9 sec

Exit 26B Toward NY 24: UBS Arena-Belmont Park Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

437 ft · 12 sec

Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West

Keep slight right at fork

266 ft · 8 sec

Toward Hempstead Avenue West Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 13 sec · this road

Toward Grandstand, Hempstead Avenue West

Keep slight left at fork

100 ft · 4 sec

Toward Hempstead Avenue

Turn right onto NY 24

1.0 mi · 2 min · Hempstead Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Jamaica Avenue

Turn right onto NY 24

0.7 mi · 1 min · 212th Street

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway

Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck Bridge Use the none lane.

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge

Continue on I 295

0.7 mi · 1 min · Throgs Neck Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 295

6.6 mi · 8 min · Cross Bronx Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway

Toward Upper Level

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.6 mi · 59 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)

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

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 none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 95 EXPR; NJTP

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 29 sec

Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 95; NJTP

2.0 mi · 2 min · New Jersey Turnpike

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 69 Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 80

68 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Christopher Columbus Highway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec

Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380

Use the straight lane.

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 81

Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

66 mi · 1 hr 17 min · I 81

Toward I 81 North: Syracuse Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

0.2 mi · 17 sec · I 81

Toward Syracuse Use the straight lane.

Continue on I-81

0.4 mi · 26 sec · I-81

Continue on I 81

1.9 mi · 2 min · I 81

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward Adams Street, Harrison Street Use the slight right lane.

Continue on Almond Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Almond Street

Use the left / slight left / straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto NY 92

0.3 mi · 36 sec · East Genesee Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 11

10 ft · 0 sec · South State Street

Arrive at destination

US 11

Trip Plan

Planning for this 6-hour and 11-minute drive is best done by factoring in at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since you are looking at a $49 fuel budget, try to fill up before hitting the busiest stretches of the interstate to avoid premium highway prices. Given the nature of the roads, departing early in the morning can help you bypass potential congestion near major hubs. Since you have a long 128.5-mile stretch on I-81, use that segment to settle into a comfortable pace, but keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that specific portion of the trip. The flexibility of a one-day schedule allows you to adjust your departure time based on real-time traffic conditions.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 151.6 miles from Islip Terrace, NY, or about 3h 13m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.5 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 80 miles or 1h 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 151.6 miles or 3h 13m 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 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Syracuse, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Islip Terrace, 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 Terrace, NY

This is one driving day of about 303.1 miles and 6h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Islip Terrace, NY.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 128.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 151.6 mi from Islip Terrace, NY · 3h 13m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

152 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ramapo, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 151.6 miles from Islip Terrace, 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 128.5 miles.

Arriving in Syracuse, NY

The final approach into Syracuse, 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 Syracuse, 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

$49.34 one way

$98.69 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 106 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.48	$53.47	$106.94
premium	$4.88	$58.27	$116.54
diesel	$5.64	$67.34	$134.68

Estimated Tolls: $22.83

George Washington Bridge $16.00

Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55

New Jersey Turnpike (2 mi) $0.28

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

$49

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$97–$122

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 106 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	90.9	1	$31.83	$14.55
Efficient EV	75.8	0	$26.52	$12.12
EV Truck/SUV	121.2	1	$42.43	$19.40

Gas CO2

106 kg

EV CO2

35 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Islip Terrace, NY

Evening in Islip Terrace on Sunday

Local time

7:46 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Syracuse, NY

Evening in Syracuse on Sunday

Local time

7:46 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

59°F

Ramapo, NY

152 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

2 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

6h 11m 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 Terrace, NY to Syracuse, NY covers 303.1 miles and takes about 6h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway, I 380. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 151.6 miles from Islip Terrace, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.34 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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Islip Terrace, NY and Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Hackensack - among others.

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Return Trip

Syracuse, NY to Islip Terrace, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

297.1 mi 6h 4m

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Trip from Islip Terrace, NY to Syracuse, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Syracuse, NY

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Islip Terrace, NY

Syracuse, NY

Same local time

2 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 11m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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