The drive from Lake Carmel, NY to Islip, NY covers 94.6 miles and takes about 2h 8m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 684, Southern State Parkway, Hutchinson River Parkway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 26.8 miles on I 684.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.57 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.3 miles from Lake Carmel, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 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 2h 8m. Total distance: 94.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 8m highway drive covering 94.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 684 and Southern State Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 26.8 miles on I 684.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 42 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 684 is the longest continuous segment at about 26.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 684 and Southern State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.2 miles in.
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 26 significant decision points across 94.6 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 35.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
35.2 mi into trip|~43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Hutchinson River Parkway, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 1
Toward Hutchinson River Parkway, New York City
8
50.3 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, Stillwell Avenue
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 2A
Toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, St...
8
50.3 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge
9
52.3 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway toward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 7A
Toward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Is...
9
90 mi into trip|~2h 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 Lake Carmel, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward New York City, Long Island, Cross Island Parkway South, Southern State Parkway East and Eastern Long Island.
New York City
35.2 mi in|~43m
Long Island
52.3 mi in|~1h 8m|via I 695
Cross Island Parkway South
63.3 mi in|~1h 24m
Southern State Parkway East
64.8 mi in|~1h 27m
Eastern Long Island
64.8 mi in|~1h 27m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 684
26.8 mi
31m
Southern State Parkway
24.7 mi
31m
Hutchinson River Parkway
13.6 mi
19m
I 84
6 mi
7m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Throgs Neck Expressway
2.2 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Bruckner Expressway
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 684
— 26.8 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Carmel, NY and Islip, NY.
1
Start on Coleman Road
75 ft·8 sec·Coleman Road
2
Turn left onto Waccabuc Road
406 ft·17 sec·Waccabuc Road
3
Continue on Worthington Drive West
486 ft·22 sec·Worthington Drive West
4
Turn right onto Barrett Hill Road
0.1 mi·35 sec·Barrett Hill Road
5
Turn left onto NY 52
0.1 mi·11 sec·State Highway 52
6
Continue on NY 52
0.1 mi·10 sec·Snadbeck Avenue
7
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 311
0.1 mi·13 sec·Snadbeck Avenue
8
Continue on NY 311
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 311
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
10
Merge onto I 84
6.0 mi·7 min·I 84
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 68AToward I 684 South: White PlainsUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 684
27 mi·31 min·I 684
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.5 mi·2 min
Exit 1Toward Hutchinson River Parkway, New York CityUse the straight lane.
14
Merge onto Hutchinson River Parkway
7.7 mi·10 min·Hutchinson River Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto Hutchinson River Parkway
5.9 mi·8 min·Hutchinson River Parkway
Toward Whitestone BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
141 ft·4 sec
Exit 2AToward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, Stillwell AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·47 sec
Toward I 95 South: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 95
0.4 mi·31 sec·New England Thruway
19
Continue on I 95
1.3 mi·2 min·Bruckner Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695
2.2 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Exit 7AToward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long IslandUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
24
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
26
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
27
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
28
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
30
Merge onto SO
25 mi·31 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 41SToward Bay Shore Road South, Bay ShoreUse the slight right lane.
33
Turn straight onto CR 57
0.5 mi·1 min·Bay Shore Road
34
Continue on CR 57
0.3 mi·43 sec·Howells Road
35
Turn straight onto CR 57
341 ft·6 sec·Sunrise Highway
36
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57
0.6 mi·1 min·Howells Road
Toward Howells Road SouthUse the right lane.
37
Continue on CR 57
0.2 mi·24 sec·Roosevelt Street
38
Continue on CR 57
0.7 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue
39
At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A
1.1 mi·1 min·East Main Street
40
Continue on Montauk Highway
0.2 mi·17 sec·Montauk Highway
41
Continue on NY 27A
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
42
Arrive at destination
NY 27A
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 47.3 miles from Lake Carmel, NY, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.8 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 21 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.3 miles or 1h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 44m
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 Lake Carmel, 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 Lake Carmel, NY
This is one driving day of about 94.6 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Lake Carmel, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 684 for about 26.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47.3 mi from Lake Carmel, NY
· 1h into the drive
The midpoint is around 47.3 miles from Lake Carmel, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 52.2
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...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 52.2
Immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife, Fire Island has been a special...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 94.6
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 58.7
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 52.2
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 58.7
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.4
0
$9.93
$4.54
Efficient EV
23.7
0
$8.28
$3.78
EV Truck/SUV
37.8
0
$13.24
$6.05
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 18, 2026
Origin
Lake Carmel, NY
Night
in Lake Carmel on Friday
Local time
11:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Partly Cloudy
E 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Islip, NY
Night
in Islip on Friday
Local time
11:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 6 mph6% chanceLive forecast
34°F
Mount Vernon, NY
47 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 8m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lake Carmel, NY to Islip, NY covers 94.6 miles and takes about 2h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 684, Southern State Parkway, Hutchinson River 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 47.3 miles from Lake Carmel, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.57 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 94.6 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 35.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Lake Carmel, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward New York City, Long Island, 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.
