This 68.7-mile journey from Spring Valley, NY to Islip, NY takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, making it a convenient day trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 74% of it on high-speed roads, and is estimated to cost around $11 in fuel. You'll spend most of your time on the Southern State Parkway, where the longest uninterrupted stretch measures 24.7 miles. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, this drive is easily completed in a single day without the need for an overnight stop. It offers a straightforward way to travel within the Northeast region of New York.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.3 miles from Spring Valley, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 68.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, as 74% of the route utilizes high-speed parkways and expressways. You'll navigate via the Southern State Parkway, Sprain Brook Parkway, and Clearview Expressway, experiencing consistent travel speeds for extended periods. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 24.7 miles on the Southern State Parkway, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. This profile suggests a drive characterized by efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways, emphasizing forward momentum.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southern State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 24.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern State Parkway and Sprain Brook Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.7 miles you will encounter 23 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 18.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.3 miles (I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
18.5 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward Cross County Parkway East, Mount Vernon
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 11E
Toward Cross County Parkway East, Mount Vernon
8
19.6 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward NY 22: North Columbus Avenue, Mount Vernon
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 8
Toward NY 22: North Columbus Avenue, Mount Vern...
9
26.3 mi into trip|~40m 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...
8
38.9 mi into trip|~58m 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...
9
64.1 mi into trip|~1h 31m 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 Spring Valley, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Cross County Parkway East, Mount Vernon, Long Island, Cross Island Parkway South, Southern State Parkway East and Eastern Long Island - among others.
Cross County Parkway East
18.5 mi in|~26m
Mount Vernon
18.5 mi in|~26m
Long Island
26.3 mi in|~40m|via I 695
Cross Island Parkway South
37.4 mi in|~56m
Southern State Parkway East
38.9 mi in|~58m
Eastern Long Island
38.9 mi in|~58m
Bay Shore Road South
64.1 mi in|~1h 31m
Bay Shore
64.1 mi in|~1h 31m
Howells Road South
65.2 mi in|~1h 33m|via CR 57
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Southern State Parkway
24.7 mi
31m
Sprain Brook Parkway
12.8 mi
17m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
NY 9A
2.8 mi
4m
North Columbus Avenue
2.3 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Expressway
2.2 mi
3m
New England Thruway
2.1 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Southern State Parkway
— 24.7 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spring Valley, NY and Islip, NY.
1
Start on NY 9A
2.8 mi·4 min·NY 9A
2
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward New York City
3
Merge onto Taconic State Parkway
1.9 mi·2 min·Taconic State Parkway
4
Keep slight left at fork onto Sprain Brook Parkway
13 mi·17 min·Sprain Brook Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on Bronx River Parkway
0.4 mi·44 sec·Bronx River Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 11EToward Cross County Parkway East, Mount VernonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
0.7 mi·1 min·Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 8Toward NY 22: North Columbus Avenue, Mount VernonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto Parkway South
380 ft·15 sec·Parkway South
Toward NY 22
10
Turn right onto NY 22
2.3 mi·3 min·North Columbus Avenue
11
Continue on NY 22
0.2 mi·17 sec·South 3rd Avenue
12
Continue on NY 22
0.3 mi·1 min·Provost Avenue
13
Continue on Conner Street
0.2 mi·21 sec·Conner Street
14
Turn right onto New England Thruway
0.5 mi·59 sec·New England Thruway
15
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 95 South
16
Merge onto I 95
1.5 mi·2 min·New England Thruway
17
Continue on I 95
1.3 mi·2 min·Bruckner Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
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.
19
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
22
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
24
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
25
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
26
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
28
Merge onto SO
25 mi·31 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 41SToward Bay Shore Road South, Bay ShoreUse the slight right lane.
31
Turn straight onto CR 57
0.5 mi·1 min·Bay Shore Road
32
Continue on CR 57
0.3 mi·43 sec·Howells Road
33
Turn straight onto CR 57
341 ft·6 sec·Sunrise Highway
34
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57
0.6 mi·1 min·Howells Road
Toward Howells Road SouthUse the right lane.
35
Continue on CR 57
0.2 mi·24 sec·Roosevelt Street
36
Continue on CR 57
0.7 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue
37
At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A
1.1 mi·1 min·East Main Street
38
Continue on Montauk Highway
0.2 mi·17 sec·Montauk Highway
39
Continue on NY 27A
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
40
Arrive at destination
NY 27A
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 68.7-mile drive, flexibility is your advantage; you can depart at any time that suits your schedule. With a duration of just 1 hour and 40 minutes, no major stops are strictly necessary, though you might consider a brief rest if needed. The fuel cost is estimated at a low $11, so you won't need to worry about frequent refueling. Pay attention to traffic conditions, especially on the parkways, as congestion can impact your travel time. A key tip for this route is to be aware of potential lane changes on the Southern State Parkway, as it can become busy.
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 34.3 miles from Spring Valley, NY, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.7 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 15 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.3 miles or 50m 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 24m
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 Spring Valley, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Spring Valley, NY
This is one driving day of about 68.7 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Spring Valley, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Southern State Parkway for about 24.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.3 mi from Spring Valley, NY
· 50m into the drive
The midpoint is around 34.3 miles from Spring Valley, 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.
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 26.1
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
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 26.1
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 68.7
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 33.2
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 30.8
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 33.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.31 one way
$22.62 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$12.23
$24.46
premium
$4.92
$13.32
$26.63
diesel
$5.61
$15.17
$30.34
Estimated Tolls: $6.70
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New England Thruway
(1.5 mi)$0.11
New England Thruway
(0.5 mi)$0.04
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
$11
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.6
0
$7.21
$3.30
Efficient EV
17.2
0
$6.01
$2.75
EV Truck/SUV
27.5
0
$9.62
$4.40
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 16, 2026
Origin
Spring Valley, NY
Afternoon
in Spring Valley on Friday
Local time
3:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Islip, NY
Afternoon
in Islip on Friday
Local time
3:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph2% 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
22 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
1h 40m 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 Spring Valley, NY to Islip, NY covers 68.7 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southern State Parkway, Sprain Brook Parkway, Clearview Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.3 miles from Spring Valley, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.31 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.7 miles you will encounter 23 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.3 miles (I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Spring Valley, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Cross County Parkway East, Mount Vernon, Long Island, Cross Island Parkway South, Southern State Parkway East and Eastern Long Island - among others.
Yes. Nearby national parks include General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Fire Island National Seashore. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
