The drive from Tusten, NY to Islip, NY covers 144.4 miles and takes about 3h 21m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on State Route 97, Southern State Parkway, NJ 23 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 28.2 miles on State Route 97.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.77 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
72.2 miles from Tusten, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m 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 3h 21m. Total distance: 144.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 21m highway drive covering 144.4 miles, with most of the trip on State Route 97 and Southern State Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 28.2 miles on State Route 97.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 50 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Route 97 is the longest continuous segment at about 28.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Route 97 and Southern State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 92 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 27 significant decision points across 144.4 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 92 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.7 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
92 mi into trip|~2h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
92.3 mi into trip|~2h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
101.7 mi into trip|~2h 21m 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
114.6 mi into trip|~2h 39m 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
139.8 mi into trip|~3h 12m 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 Tusten, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Clifton, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck, George Washington Bridge Upper Level and Cross Island Parkway South - among others.
Clifton
77.4 mi in|~1h 50m
New York City
92 mi in|~2h 6m
Leonia
92.3 mi in|~2h 6m
Teaneck
92.3 mi in|~2h 6m
George Washington Bridge Upper Level
94.5 mi in|~2h 11m
Cross Island Parkway South
113.1 mi in|~2h 37m
Southern State Parkway East
114.6 mi in|~2h 39m
Eastern Long Island
114.6 mi in|~2h 39m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Route 97
28.2 mi
41m
Southern State Parkway
24.7 mi
31m
NJ 23
18.8 mi
25m
Walling Avenue
18.1 mi
27m
Christopher Columbus Highway
14 mi
15m
Paterson - Hamburg Turnpike
9.8 mi
11m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
State Route 97
— 28.2 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tusten, NY and Islip, NY.
1
Start on Crawford Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Crawford Road
2
Turn sharp right onto NY 97
28 mi·41 min·State Route 97
3
Continue on NY 42; NY 97
1.9 mi·2 min·West Main Street
4
Turn right onto CR 15
0.4 mi·31 sec·CR 15
5
Continue on NJ 23
13 mi·17 min·NJ 23
6
Continue on NJ 23
18 mi·27 min·Walling Avenue
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on NJ 23
9.8 mi·11 min·Paterson - Hamburg Turnpike
8
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 23
6.2 mi·7 min·NJ 23
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
297 ft·7 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 46 East: New York, Clifton
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 80 East: New YorkUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 80
8.5 mi·9 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
17
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
19
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
20
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
22
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
24
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
26
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
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.
28
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
29
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
32
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
33
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
34
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
35
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
36
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
38
Merge onto SO
25 mi·31 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 41SToward Bay Shore Road South, Bay ShoreUse the slight right lane.
41
Turn straight onto CR 57
0.5 mi·1 min·Bay Shore Road
42
Continue on CR 57
0.3 mi·43 sec·Howells Road
43
Turn straight onto CR 57
341 ft·6 sec·Sunrise Highway
44
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57
0.6 mi·1 min·Howells Road
Toward Howells Road SouthUse the right lane.
45
Continue on CR 57
0.2 mi·24 sec·Roosevelt Street
46
Continue on CR 57
0.7 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue
47
At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A
1.1 mi·1 min·East Main Street
48
Continue on Montauk Highway
0.2 mi·17 sec·Montauk Highway
49
Continue on NY 27A
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
50
Arrive at destination
NY 27A
Trip Plan
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 72.2 miles from Tusten, NY, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.2 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 32 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.2 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 45m
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 Tusten, 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 Tusten, NY
This is one driving day of about 144.4 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Tusten, 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 State Route 97 for about 28.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.2 mi from Tusten, NY
· 1h 43m into the drive
The midpoint is around 78.7 miles from Tusten, 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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 103.1
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 103.1
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 103.1
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 103.1
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 103.1
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 103.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.77 one way
$47.54 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$25.70
$51.40
premium
$4.92
$27.99
$55.97
diesel
$5.61
$31.88
$63.76
Estimated Tolls: $23.24
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
Paterson - Hamburg Turnpike
(9.8 mi)$0.69
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
$24
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.3
0
$15.16
$6.93
Efficient EV
36.1
0
$12.64
$5.78
EV Truck/SUV
57.8
0
$20.22
$9.24
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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 15, 2026
Origin
Tusten, NY
Late night
in Tusten on Saturday
Local time
12:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Islip, NY
Late night
in Islip on Saturday
Local time
12:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live 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
5 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 21m 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 Tusten, NY to Islip, NY covers 144.4 miles and takes about 3h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Route 97, Southern State Parkway, NJ 23. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.2 miles from Tusten, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.77 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 27 significant decision points across 144.4 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 92 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.7 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Tusten, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Clifton, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck, George Washington Bridge Upper Level and Cross Island Parkway South - among others.
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.
