Knox, NY to Islip, NY is 192.3 miles and takes about 4 hours 23 minutes via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a drive with a good number of turns, so it's not a simple, straight shot. Given the relatively short duration and manageable mileage, this route is well-suited for a single-day journey. It's a practical option if you're looking for a direct path between these two points.
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
96.2 miles from Knox, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Islip (pronounced "ICE-lip") is a town on Long Island in the state of New York. Located within Suffolk County, the Town of Islip includes the villages of Brightwaters, Islandia, Ocean Beach and Saltaire. It also includes numerous hamlets including Bay Shore and Sayville which are ferry terminals for Fire Island. Other prominent communities are Bayport, Brentwood, Central Islip, Hauppauge, Islip village (the town seat), and Ronkonkoma.
Top landmarks
•Bayport Aerodrome — airport in Suffolk County, New York, United States
•Connetquot River State Park Preserve — state park in New York
•Modesty — oyster-dredging sloop built in Long Island
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 23m. Total distance: 192.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route has a 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile, suggesting a dynamic experience behind the wheel. While 50% of the drive involves highways like the New York State Thruway and Southern State Parkway, the local road segments will require your attention. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 70.5 miles on the New York State Thruway, offering a period of more consistent speed. Be prepared for the road to transition between faster parkway driving and more intricate local roads as you progress toward your destination.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 52 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New York State Thruway is the longest continuous segment at about 70.5 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 119.1 miles in near NY 17.
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 31 significant decision points across 192.3 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 119.1 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.5 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.6 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 31 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
119.1 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
120.5 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
149.6 mi into trip|~3h 22m 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
8
162.5 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Take the exit toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 25A
Toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Lon...
9
187.7 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Take the exit toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41S
Toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Knox, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York, Cross Island Parkway South, Southern State Parkway East and Eastern Long Island.
Gsp South: Paterson
134.6 mi in|~3h 1m
Fort Lee
134.6 mi in|~3h 1m
New York
134.6 mi in|~3h 1m
Cross Island Parkway South
161 mi in|~3h 39m
Southern State Parkway East
162.5 mi in|~3h 41m
Eastern Long Island
162.5 mi in|~3h 41m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
70.5 mi
1h 21m
Southern State Parkway
24.7 mi
31m
State Highway 32
19.9 mi
29m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
King's Highway
6.8 mi
9m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
County Route 401
5.2 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 70.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knox, NY and Islip, NY.
1
Start on CR 252
3.6 mi·8 min·Knox Cave Road
2
Continue on NY 157A
0.9 mi·2 min·Warners Lake Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto Thacher Park Road
0.4 mi·37 sec·Thacher Park Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto NY 443
3.5 mi·4 min·Helderberg Trail
5
Turn right onto NY 85
3.6 mi·5 min·Delaware Turnpike
6
Turn left onto NY 143
2.7 mi·4 min·New York State Highway 143
7
At end of road, turn left onto NY 143
186 ft·6 sec·NY 143
8
Turn right onto CR 401
5.2 mi·9 min·County Route 401
9
At end of road, turn left onto CR 405
0.7 mi·1 min·County Route 405
10
Turn right onto NY 32
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 32
11
Turn left onto NY 23; NY 32
1.1 mi·1 min·State Highway 23
12
Turn right onto NY 32
9.2 mi·13 min·State Highway 32
13
Continue on NY 32
6.8 mi·9 min·King's Highway
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
15
Merge onto I 87
71 mi·1 hr 21 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
18
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
21
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
26
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
28
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
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.
30
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
31
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
34
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
35
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
36
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
37
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
38
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
40
Merge onto SO
25 mi·31 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 41SToward Bay Shore Road South, Bay ShoreUse the slight right lane.
43
Turn straight onto CR 57
0.5 mi·1 min·Bay Shore Road
44
Continue on CR 57
0.3 mi·43 sec·Howells Road
45
Turn straight onto CR 57
341 ft·6 sec·Sunrise Highway
46
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57
0.6 mi·1 min·Howells Road
Toward Howells Road SouthUse the right lane.
47
Continue on CR 57
0.2 mi·24 sec·Roosevelt Street
48
Continue on CR 57
0.7 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue
49
At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A
1.1 mi·1 min·East Main Street
50
Continue on Montauk Highway
0.2 mi·17 sec·Montauk Highway
51
Continue on NY 27A
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
52
Arrive at destination
NY 27A
Trip Plan
With a total duration of around 4 hours and 23 minutes, this is a comfortable one-day trip. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight and allow for flexibility. You'll have one main stretch of 70.5 miles on the New York State Thruway, so plan your first rest stop before or after that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $32; it's always wise to top off before heading out, especially if you encounter a stretch without many service areas. The 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile means staying alert is key as you get closer to Islip.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 96.2 miles from Knox, NY, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.5 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 42 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.2 miles or 2h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Islip, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Knox, 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 Knox, NY
This is one driving day of about 192.3 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Knox, 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 New York State Thruway for about 70.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 96.2 mi from Knox, NY
· 2h 14m into the drive
The midpoint is around 96.2 miles from Knox, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.5 miles.
Arriving in Islip, NY
The final approach into Islip, 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 Islip, 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 145.9
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 145.9
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 145.9
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 145.9
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 145.9
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 145.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.65 one way
$63.31 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$34.23
$68.46
premium
$4.92
$37.27
$74.54
diesel
$5.61
$42.46
$84.91
Estimated Tolls: $26.33
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(70.5 mi)$3.53
Delaware Turnpike
(3.6 mi)$0.25
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
$32
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
9 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Mahwah, New Jersey
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EvGateway Charging Station
Mountainville, New York
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Cornwall, New York
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Plainview, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Harriman, New York
EV Connect
1 DCFC
ViaLynk Charging Station
Cornwall, New York
ViaLynk
1 DCFC
ViaLynk Charging Station
New Windsor, New York
ViaLynk
1 DCFC
ChargeSmart EV Charging Station
Altamont, New York
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 3
Other: 2
ViaLynk: 2
Tesla Destination: 1
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.7
0
$20.19
$9.23
Efficient EV
48.1
0
$16.83
$7.69
EV Truck/SUV
76.9
0
$26.92
$12.31
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Knox, NY
Late night
in Knox on Saturday
Local time
4:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Islip, NY
Late night
in Islip on Saturday
Local time
4:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
96 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
6 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
4h 23m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Knox, NY to Islip, NY covers 192.3 miles and takes about 4h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, Southern State Parkway, State Highway 32. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 96.2 miles from Knox, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.65 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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.
This is a demanding drive. With 31 significant decision points across 192.3 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 119.1 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.5 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.6 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Knox, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York, Cross Island Parkway South, Southern State Parkway East and Eastern Long Island.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
