This 193.2-mile drive from Lindenhurst, NY, to Schenectady, NY, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 59 minutes. You'll primarily be on major roadways like the Southern State Parkway and NY 17, with a significant 90% highway share, making it a focused trip. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $32. Given its manageable distance and duration, it’s well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The route keeps you within the Northeast region, traversing familiar highway landscapes.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
96.6 miles from Lindenhurst, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 193.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 193.2-mile trip, with 90% of the drive on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 117.5 miles on NY 17, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While largely on major arteries like the Southern State Parkway and NJ 17, the character remains predominantly that of efficient travel, minimizing complex turns or slower local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 49 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NY 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 117.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and Southern State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23 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 35 significant decision points across 193.2 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 23 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 42 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 35 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
23 mi into trip|~30m 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
23.2 mi into trip|~31m 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
42 mi into trip|~58m 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
9
42.3 mi into trip|~58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
8
49.3 mi into trip|~1h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lindenhurst, NY and Schenectady, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Gsp South - among others.
Cross Island Parkway North
21.4 mi in|~28m
Hempstead Avenue West
23.1 mi in|~31m
Grandstand
23.3 mi in|~31m
Upper Level
39.5 mi in|~54m|via I 95; US 1
Njtp South: Hackensack
42 mi in|~58m
Gsp South
49.1 mi in|~1h 8m
Gsp North
49.1 mi in|~1h 8m
Newark
49.1 mi in|~1h 8m
Mahwah
49.1 mi in|~1h 8m
New York State Thruway North: Albany
64.4 mi in|~1h 28m|via NY 17
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
117.5 mi
2h 15m
Southern State Parkway
16.5 mi
20m
NJ 17
14.7 mi
18m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
New York State Thruway
6.1 mi
7m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
I 890
3.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 117.5 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lindenhurst, NY and Schenectady, NY.
1
Start on South Wellwood Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·South Wellwood Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward NY 27 West: New York
3
Merge onto NY 27
2.0 mi·2 min·Sunrise Highway
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi·20 sec
Toward Huntington
5
Turn straight onto NY 110
1.4 mi·2 min·Broadway
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward Southern Parkway West, New York
7
Merge onto SO
17 mi·20 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
10
Take the exit
317 ft·9 sec
Exit 26BToward NY 24: UBS Arena-Belmont ParkUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
437 ft·12 sec
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead AvenueUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West
13
Keep slight right at fork
266 ft·8 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·13 sec·this road
Toward Grandstand, Hempstead Avenue West
15
Keep slight left at fork
100 ft·4 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue
16
Turn right onto NY 24
1.0 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Jamaica Avenue
18
Turn right onto NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·212th Street
19
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.
20
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
21
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi·8 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
24
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
25
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
26
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.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 72AToward NJ 4 West: ParamusUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
30
Merge onto NJ 4
6.7 mi·9 min·NJ 4
Use the slight right lane.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, MahwahUse the straight lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: MahwahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
36
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
37
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
38
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
118 mi·2 hr 15 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
6.1 mi·7 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
40
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 25Toward I 890, NY 146, NY 7: SchenectadyUse the slight right lane.
41
Continue on I 890; NY 7
3.4 mi·4 min·I 890; NY 7
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward BroadwayUse the straight / slight left lanes.
44
Keep slight right at fork
213 ft·5 sec
Use the slight right lane.
45
Turn straight onto Broadway
0.4 mi·58 sec·Broadway
46
Turn right onto Clinton Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Clinton Street
47
Turn left onto Franklin Street
261 ft·9 sec·Franklin Street
48
Turn right onto Jay Street
217 ft·6 sec·Jay Street
49
Arrive at destination
Jay Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just under 4 hours, this 193.2-mile trip is best tackled as a single-day adventure. Aim for an early morning departure from Lindenhurst to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic, especially on the Southern State Parkway. You'll have one primary stretch of 117.5 miles on NY 17, so plan your first fuel or rest stop before or after this segment. The estimated $32 fuel cost is a good benchmark for budgeting this straightforward drive.
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 96.6 miles from Lindenhurst, NY, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.5 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 43 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.6 miles or 2h 5m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Schenectady, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lindenhurst, 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 Lindenhurst, NY
This is one driving day of about 193.2 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Lindenhurst, 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 NY 17 for about 117.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 96.6 mi from Lindenhurst, NY
· 2h 5m into the drive
The midpoint is around 101.1 miles from Lindenhurst, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Schenectady, NY
The final approach into Schenectady, 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 Schenectady, 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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.80 one way
$63.60 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$34.39
$68.78
premium
$4.92
$37.45
$74.89
diesel
$5.61
$42.66
$85.31
Estimated Tolls: $22.85
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(6.1 mi)$0.30
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
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58
0
$20.29
$9.27
Efficient EV
48.3
0
$16.90
$7.73
EV Truck/SUV
77.3
0
$27.05
$12.36
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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
Lindenhurst, NY
Late night
in Lindenhurst on Friday
Local time
1:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Schenectady, NY
Late night
in Schenectady on Friday
Local time
1:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
97 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
9 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
3h 59m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lindenhurst, NY to Schenectady, NY covers 193.2 miles and takes about 3h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NY 17, Southern State Parkway, NJ 17. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 96.6 miles from Lindenhurst, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.80 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 35 significant decision points across 193.2 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 23 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 42 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lindenhurst, NY and Schenectady, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Gsp South - among others.
