Knox, NY to Oyster Bay, NY is 172.7 miles and takes about 4 hours via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily travels within New York, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. With a 39% highway share, expect a mix of faster travel and more local road segments. This trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop, provided you start with ample daylight. It offers a practical way to get from point A to point B within the state.
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
86.4 miles from Knox, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Oyster Bay is one of three towns in Nassau County, on Long Island, New York.
The town of Oyster Bay comprises a large portion of eastern Nassau County and includes a slew of villages and other communities. This article covers North Oyster Bay – the area closest to Oyster Bay itself (in other words, everything that is north of the Long Island Expressway). See South Oyster Bay for the southern half of the town (in other words, the area south of the expressway). See the article for Glen Cove for communities in the northwest part of the town that are closest to that city.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h. Total distance: 172.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This is a mixed drive, with about 39% of the route on highways. You'll experience stretches of faster travel, including a longest uninterrupted segment of 70.5 miles on the New York State Thruway. This means you'll have periods of sustained cruising, punctuated by transitions to State Highway 32 and Northern Boulevard, which will likely involve more local traffic and potentially more frequent intersections. The character of the drive shifts as you move between these different road types, requiring adjustments in your driving pace.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 43 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?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 25 significant decision points across 172.7 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 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 134.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 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
6
134.7 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
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
7
156.2 mi into trip|~3h 31m in
Take the exit toward NY 25A: Northern Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward NY 25A: Northern Boulevard
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 Oyster Bay, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
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
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
70.5 mi
1h 21m
State Highway 32
19.9 mi
29m
Northern Boulevard
14.5 mi
24m
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 Oyster Bay, 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
2.0 mi·2 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 5Toward NY 25A: Northern BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on Clearview Expressway
457 ft·17 sec·Clearview Expressway
35
Turn left onto NY 25A
15 mi·24 min·Northern Boulevard
Use the left lane.
36
Turn left onto NY 106
0.3 mi·29 sec·Jericho Oyster Bay Road
37
Turn straight onto NY 106
0.5 mi·46 sec·Oyster Bay Road
38
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 106
260 ft·4 sec·Oyster Bay Road
39
Continue on NY 106
0.9 mi·1 min·Pine Hollow Road
Use the left lane.
40
Continue on NY 106
105 ft·5 sec·South Street
41
Turn right onto Berry Hill Road
112 ft·9 sec·Berry Hill Road
42
Continue on Berry Hill Road
64 ft·2 sec·Berry Hill Road
43
Arrive at destination
Berry Hill Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you the most flexibility for any unscheduled stops or to simply enjoy the drive without feeling rushed. The fuel cost is estimated at $28, so plan accordingly and ensure you have enough gas before embarking on the longest stretch of 70.5 miles on the New York State Thruway, where services might be less frequent than on local roads. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of discretion on when and where to pull over.
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 86.4 miles from Knox, NY, or about 2h 3m 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 38 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.4 miles or 2h 3m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oyster Bay, 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 172.7 miles and 4h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 86.4 mi from Knox, NY
· 2h 3m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 142.9
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 142.9
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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 142.9
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
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 142.9
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 142.9
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 142.9
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.8
0
$18.13
$8.29
Efficient EV
43.2
0
$15.11
$6.91
EV Truck/SUV
69.1
0
$24.18
$11.05
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
4:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oyster Bay, NY
Late night
in Oyster Bay on Saturday
Local time
4:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
86 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
7 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 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 Oyster Bay, NY covers 172.7 miles and takes about 4h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, State Highway 32, Northern Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 86.4 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 $28.43 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 25 significant decision points across 172.7 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 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 134.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Knox, NY and Oyster Bay, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
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.
