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Trip from Oyster Bay, NY to Auburn, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 2m

Distance

280.2 mi

451 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
5h 50m ★
6 AM
6h 3m
8 AM
6h 28m
10 AM
6h 12m
12 PM
6h 9m
3 PM
6h 13m
5 PM
6h 27m
8 PM
5h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

town on Long Island, New York, United States

Oyster Bay, NY

Wikimedia Commons

city in Cayuga County, New York, United States

Auburn, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Oyster Bay, NY to Auburn, NY covers 280.2 miles and takes about 6h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway, I 380 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 97.3 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.12 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

140.1 miles from Oyster Bay, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 97.3 mi 1h 55m
Christopher Columbus Highway 68.2 mi 1h 20m
I 380 27.7 mi 30m
Keystone Shortway 17.3 mi 24m
Northern Boulevard 13.4 mi 22m
Clinton Street 10.5 mi 15m
East Lake Road 9.9 mi 14m
East Genesee Street 7.7 mi 14m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 97.3 mi, about 1h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Oyster Bay, NY and Auburn, NY.

1

Start on Berry Hill Road

288 ft · 21 sec · Berry Hill Road
2

Turn sharp left onto NY 106

429 ft · 9 sec · South Street
3

Continue on NY 106

0.9 mi · 1 min · Pine Hollow Road
4

Continue on NY 106

0.7 mi · 1 min · Oyster Bay Road
5

Turn right onto NY 25A

13 mi · 22 min · Northern Boulevard
Use the left lane.
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge Use the right lane.
7

Merge onto CI

2.3 mi · 3 min · Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 33 Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 295

1.8 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
10

Continue on I 295

0.7 mi · 1 min · Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 295

6.6 mi · 8 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
13

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.6 mi · 59 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
14

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
15

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.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 95 EXPR; NJTP
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19

Merge onto I 95; NJTP

2.0 mi · 2 min · New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 69 Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Continue on I 80

68 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway
24

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec
Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton
25

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380
Use the straight lane.
26

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81
Use the straight lane.
27

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
28

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

37 mi · 43 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
29

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Exit 52 Toward NY 13: Cortland
30

Turn right onto NY 13

39 ft · 5 sec · Clinton Avenue
31

Turn left onto Locust Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · Locust Avenue
32

Continue on Albany Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Albany Street
33

At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
34

Turn left onto NY 41

10 mi · 15 min · Clinton Street
35

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road
36

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
37

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road
38

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 48 sec · East Lake Street
39

Turn left onto US 20

7.7 mi · 14 min · East Genesee Street
40

Turn left onto NY 34; NY 38

20 ft · 0 sec · South Street
41

Arrive at destination

NY 34; NY 38

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 140.1 miles from Oyster Bay, NY, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.3 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 62 miles or 1h 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 140.1 miles or 3h 1m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Oyster Bay, 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 Oyster Bay, NY

This is one driving day of about 280.2 miles and 6h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Oyster Bay, 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 I 81 for about 97.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

140 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Deposit, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 140.1 miles from Oyster Bay, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 27

5 decision points cluster between mile 15.1 and 32.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
15.1 mi into trip | ~25m in

Take the ramp toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone B...
8
17.6 mi into trip | ~29m in

Take the exit toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England

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 33 Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx,...
8
29.8 mi into trip | ~47m 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
30.1 mi into trip | ~48m 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
8
32.4 mi into trip | ~51m in

Take the exit toward I 80 West: Paterson, 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. Exit 69 Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.12 one way

$92.25 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 98 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $49.87 $99.75
premium $4.92 $54.31 $108.62
diesel $5.61 $61.86 $123.73

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

$46

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$94–$119

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 98 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 84.1 1 $29.42 $13.45
Efficient EV 70.1 0 $24.52 $11.21
EV Truck/SUV 112.1 1 $39.23 $17.93

Gas CO2

98 kg

EV CO2

33 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 18, 2026

Origin

Oyster Bay, NY

Afternoon in Oyster Bay on Saturday

Local time

2:50 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Scattered Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy

E 5 to 8 mph 32% chance Live forecast

Destination

Auburn, NY

Afternoon in Auburn on Saturday

Local time

2:50 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Partly Cloudy

SE 2 to 9 mph 0% chance Live forecast

49°F

Ramapo, NY

140 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

6h 2m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 280.2
View on nps.gov
Hamilton Grange National Memorial

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 29
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

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 29
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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 29
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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 29
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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 29
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

280.2 mi in 6h 2m — 51% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: I 81.

51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.3 mi on I 81.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 15.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 27 significant decision points across 280.2 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 15.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Oyster Bay, NY and Auburn, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Hackensack - among others.

Cross Island Parkway North

15.1 mi in | ~25m

Bronx

17.6 mi in | ~29m

New England

17.6 mi in | ~29m

Upper Level

27.3 mi in | ~43m | via I 95; US 1

Njtp South: Hackensack

29.8 mi in | ~47m

Hackensack

32.4 mi in | ~51m

Albany

205.2 mi in | ~4h 18m | via I 81

About the Cities

Starting in Oyster Bay, NY

Full guide →

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.

Arriving in Auburn, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1793

Auburn is a city in the Finger Lakes region of New York.

Top landmarks

  • St. Peter's Episcopal Church Complex — historic church in Auburn, New York, United States
  • Harriet Tubman grave — grave of Harriet Tubman
  • Shines Auburn Theater — former movie theater in Auburn, New York, United States

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 2m. Total distance: 280.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 97.3 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $22.83 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Auburn, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 15.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and General Grant National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Auburn, NY before the return drive.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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