This 104.7-mile drive from Plattekill, NY, to Babylon, NY, is easily manageable in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 22 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via the New York State Thruway and the Southern State Parkway, with a segment on NJ 17, making it a predominantly highway experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $17, offering an affordable journey. Given its relatively short duration and straightforward path through the Northeast region, this route is ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B without significant time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.4 miles from Plattekill, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 104.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with about 60% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29 miles along the New York State Thruway, providing a period of consistent cruising. While much of the drive is on high-speed parkways and interstates, the inclusion of NJ 17 suggests some transitions to more local road conditions. This blend means you'll experience both the efficiency of highway travel and the occasional change in pace as you move between different types of roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 38 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 29 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 37.8 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 24 significant decision points across 104.7 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 37.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.2 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.2 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
37.8 mi into trip|~49m 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
39.2 mi into trip|~50m 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
68.2 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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
81.2 mi into trip|~1h 49m 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...
7
99.6 mi into trip|~2h 13m in
Take the exit toward NY 109 East: Babylon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 33
Toward NY 109 East: Babylon
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Plattekill, NY and Babylon, 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
53.3 mi in|~1h 9m
Fort Lee
53.3 mi in|~1h 9m
New York
53.3 mi in|~1h 9m
Cross Island Parkway South
79.7 mi in|~1h 47m
Southern State Parkway East
81.2 mi in|~1h 49m
Eastern Long Island
81.2 mi in|~1h 49m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
29 mi
33m
Southern State Parkway
18 mi
22m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Plattekill Turnpike
4.6 mi
8m
Farmingdale Road
3.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 29 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plattekill, NY and Babylon, NY.
1
Start on CR 13
4.6 mi·8 min·Plattekill Turnpike
2
Continue on NY 300
2.5 mi·4 min·Route 300
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on NY 300
0.3 mi·36 sec·Union Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on this road
427 ft·10 sec·this road
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·40 sec
Toward I 87 South: New York City
7
Merge onto I 87
29 mi·33 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
10
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.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
13
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
18
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
20
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
23
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
26
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
28
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
29
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
30
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
32
Merge onto SO
18 mi·22 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 33Toward NY 109 East: BabylonUse the slight right lane.
34
Turn slight right onto NY 109
3.5 mi·5 min·Farmingdale Road
Use the left lane.
35
Continue on NY 109
0.9 mi·1 min·Little East Neck Road North
36
Turn left onto NY 27A
0.5 mi·49 sec·West Main Street
37
Turn right onto South Carll Avenue
68 ft·2 sec·South Carll Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
South Carll Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 1-day trip covering 104.7 miles, you have the advantage of flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving earlier in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Long Island area. With a duration of just over 2 hours, you likely won't need extensive stops for rest, but it's always wise to take a break if you feel tired. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, with an estimated cost of $17 for the trip, and plan to refuel before or after your journey if needed. A specific tip for this route: be aware of the transition onto the Southern State Parkway, as parkway driving can sometimes have different speed limits and traffic patterns than traditional interstates.
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 52.4 miles from Plattekill, NY, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29 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 23 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.4 miles or 1h 8m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Babylon, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Plattekill, 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 Plattekill, NY
This is one driving day of about 104.7 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Plattekill, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 29 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.4 mi from Plattekill, NY
· 1h 8m into the drive
The midpoint is around 52.4 miles from Plattekill, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Babylon, NY
The final approach into Babylon, 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 Babylon, 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...
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...
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 61.4
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 61.4
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 61.4
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 61.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.23 one way
$34.47 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$18.64
$37.27
premium
$4.92
$20.29
$40.59
diesel
$5.61
$23.12
$46.23
Estimated Tolls: $24.32
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(29 mi)$1.45
Plattekill Turnpike
(4.6 mi)$0.32
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
$17
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.4
0
$10.99
$5.03
Efficient EV
26.2
0
$9.16
$4.19
EV Truck/SUV
41.9
0
$14.66
$6.70
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Plattekill, NY
Late night
in Plattekill on Friday
Local time
1:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Babylon, NY
Late night
in Babylon on Friday
Local time
1:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
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
36 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
2h 22m 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 Plattekill, NY to Babylon, NY covers 104.7 miles and takes about 2h 22m 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, NJ 17. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.4 miles from Plattekill, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.23 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 24 significant decision points across 104.7 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 37.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.2 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.2 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Plattekill, NY and Babylon, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York, Cross Island Parkway South, Southern State Parkway East and Eastern Long Island.
Yes. Nearby national parks include General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.