The drive from Islip, NY to Cherry Creek, NY covers 443.7 miles and takes about 9h 2m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on Keystone Shortway, Christopher Columbus Highway, US 219 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 200 miles on Keystone Shortway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $73.04 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
221.9 miles from Islip, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 29m into the drive
.
Drive Character
Expect a 9h 2m drive with frequent turns across 443.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 72 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Keystone Shortway is the longest continuous segment at about 200 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 42 significant decision points across 443.7 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 42 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
8
50.3 mi into trip|~1h 11m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Islip, NY and Cherry Creek, 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
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
Hackensack
52.6 mi in|~1h 14m
Penfield
321.6 mi in|~6h 20m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
200 mi
3h 44m
Christopher Columbus Highway
68.2 mi
1h 20m
US 219
46.5 mi
53m
Southern Tier Expressway
25.5 mi
29m
Southern State Parkway
24.7 mi
31m
Bennetts Valley Highway
10.5 mi
16m
Million Dollar Highway
8.3 mi
12m
State Park Road
7.5 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 200 mi, about 3h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Islip, NY and Cherry Creek, 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 left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
35
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 69Toward I 80 West: Paterson, HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on I 80
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
195 mi·3 hr 35 min·Keystone Shortway
40
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield
41
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·32 sec
42
Turn straight onto PA 153
7.5 mi·13 min·State Park Road
43
Turn right onto PA 255
7.9 mi·12 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
44
Continue on PA 255
0.2 mi·20 sec·Million Dollar Highway
45
Continue on PA 255
2.6 mi·3 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
46
Turn straight onto PA 255
8.1 mi·12 min·Million Dollar Highway
47
Continue on PA 120; PA 255
0.1 mi·14 sec·South Saint Marys Street
48
Turn right onto PA 120; PA 255
147 ft·3 sec·Railroad Street
49
Turn left onto PA 120; PA 255
382 ft·8 sec·South Michael Street
50
Continue on PA 255
0.1 mi·14 sec·North Michael Street
51
Turn left onto PA 255
0.7 mi·1 min·Maurus Street
52
Continue on PA 255
4.4 mi·6 min·Johnsonburg Road
53
Continue on PA 255
2.3 mi·3 min·Johnsonburg-Saint Marys Road
54
Continue on PA 255
0.8 mi·1 min·Powers Avenue
55
Keep slight right at fork
149 ft·5 sec
56
Merge onto US 219
6.6 mi·7 min·US 219
57
Keep slight right at fork onto US 219
40 mi·44 min·US 219
58
Take the exit onto US 219
0.4 mi·46 sec·US 219
59
Merge onto I 86; US 219; NY 17
26 mi·29 min·Southern Tier Expressway
60
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 16Toward Randolph, Gowanda
61
Keep slight right at fork
170 ft·5 sec
62
Turn right onto Main Street
1.3 mi·2 min·Main Street
63
Turn left onto NY 241
4.0 mi·5 min·Conewango Road
64
Continue on NY 241
1.3 mi·1 min·State Highway 241
65
Continue on NY 241
1.6 mi·2 min·Conewango Road
66
Continue on NY 241
0.1 mi·12 sec·Conewango Road
67
Continue on US 62
1.5 mi·2 min·US 62
68
At end of road, turn right onto NY 83
0.1 mi·12 sec·State Highway 83
69
Continue on NY 83
3.6 mi·5 min·South Road
70
Continue on NY 83
0.5 mi·53 sec·South Main Street
71
Turn left onto Center Street
67 ft·1 sec·Center Street
72
Arrive at destination
Center Street
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 221.9 miles from Islip, NY, or about 4h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 200 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 98 miles or 2h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 221.9 miles or 4h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 221.9 miles or 4h 29m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cherry Creek, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Islip, NY
Aim for roughly 222 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Cherry Creek, NY
Aim for roughly 222 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 98 miles from Islip, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 200 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 221.9 mi from Islip, NY
· 4h 29m into the drive
The midpoint is around 221.9 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 Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 200 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 222 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.
Arriving in Cherry Creek, NY
The final approach into Cherry Creek, 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 Cherry Creek, NY.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Cherry Creek, NY with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
$73.04 one way
$146.07 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg155 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$78.98
$157.95
premium
$4.92
$86.00
$171.99
diesel
$5.61
$97.96
$195.93
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
$73
Tolls
$23
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$226–$336
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 155.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $47 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
133.1
1
$46.59
$21.30
Efficient EV
110.9
1
$38.82
$17.75
EV Truck/SUV
177.5
2
$62.12
$28.40
Gas CO2
155 kg
EV CO2
52 kg (66% 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
Late night
in Islip on Thursday
Local time
12:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 10 to 17 mph9% 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
Cherry Creek, NY
Late night
in Cherry Creek on Thursday
Local time
12:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
222 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
25 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
9h 2m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 Cherry Creek, NY covers 443.7 miles and takes about 9h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, Christopher Columbus Highway, US 219. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 222 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 221.9 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 $73.04 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 42 significant decision points across 443.7 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 Cherry Creek, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Hackensack - among others.
