The drive from Valley Cottage, NY to Islip, NY covers 70.2 miles and takes about 1h 42m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Southern State Parkway, Palisades Interstate Parkway, Cross Bronx Expressway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 24.7 miles on Southern State Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.56 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.
Midpoint
35.1 miles from Valley Cottage, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m 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 1h 42m. Total distance: 70.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 42m highway drive covering 70.2 miles, with most of the trip on Southern State Parkway and Palisades Interstate Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 24.7 miles on Southern State Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 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 Palisades Interstate Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 27.4 miles in near I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.2 miles you will encounter 20 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 27.4 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.3 miles (SO / Southern State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
27.4 mi into trip|~42m 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
40.3 mi into trip|~1h 1m 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...
6
65.3 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|SO / Southern State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto SO / Southern State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
65.5 mi into trip|~1h 33m 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
7
66.7 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|CR 57 / Howells Road
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57 / Howells Road toward Howells Road South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Howells Road South
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Valley Cottage, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South, Cross Island Parkway South, Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island, Bay Shore Road South and Bay Shore.
Palisades Interstate Parkway South
6.9 mi in|~13m
Cross Island Parkway South
38.8 mi in|~58m
Southern State Parkway East
40.3 mi in|~1h 1m
Eastern Long Island
40.3 mi in|~1h 1m
Bay Shore Road South
65.5 mi in|~1h 33m
Bay Shore
65.5 mi in|~1h 33m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Southern State Parkway
24.7 mi
31m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
13.7 mi
19m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
NY 303
5 mi
7m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Cross Island Parkway
1.3 mi
1m
East Main Street
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Southern State Parkway
— 24.7 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Valley Cottage, NY and Islip, NY.
1
Start on Fulle Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Fulle Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto Maple Road
0.2 mi·51 sec·Maple Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto Kings Highway
0.9 mi·2 min·Kings Highway
4
Continue on Casper Hill Road
0.4 mi·59 sec·Casper Hill Road
5
Turn right onto NY 303
0.2 mi·13 sec·NY 303
6
Turn right onto NY 303
4.9 mi·7 min·NY 303
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
8
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
14 mi·19 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·52 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
10
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
12
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
15
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
20
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
21
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
22
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
24
Merge onto SO
25 mi·31 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 41SToward Bay Shore Road South, Bay ShoreUse the slight right lane.
27
Turn straight onto CR 57
0.5 mi·1 min·Bay Shore Road
28
Continue on CR 57
0.3 mi·43 sec·Howells Road
29
Turn straight onto CR 57
341 ft·6 sec·Sunrise Highway
30
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 57
0.6 mi·1 min·Howells Road
Toward Howells Road SouthUse the right lane.
31
Continue on CR 57
0.2 mi·24 sec·Roosevelt Street
32
Continue on CR 57
0.7 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue
33
At end of road, turn left onto NY 27A
1.1 mi·1 min·East Main Street
34
Continue on Montauk Highway
0.2 mi·17 sec·Montauk Highway
35
Continue on NY 27A
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
36
Arrive at destination
NY 27A
Trip Plan
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 35.1 miles from Valley Cottage, NY, or about 52m 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.1 miles or 52m 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 26m
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 Valley Cottage, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Valley Cottage, NY
This is one driving day of about 70.2 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Valley Cottage, 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 35.1 mi from Valley Cottage, NY
· 52m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 21.8
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 21.8
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 21.8
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 21.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.56 one way
$23.11 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$12.50
$24.99
premium
$4.92
$13.61
$27.21
diesel
$5.61
$15.50
$31.00
Estimated Tolls: $22.55
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
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
$12
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.1
0
$7.37
$3.37
Efficient EV
17.6
0
$6.14
$2.81
EV Truck/SUV
28.1
0
$9.83
$4.49
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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 15, 2026
Origin
Valley Cottage, NY
Late night
in Valley Cottage on Saturday
Local time
2:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Islip, NY
Late night
in Islip on Saturday
Local time
2:23 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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 42m 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 Valley Cottage, NY to Islip, NY covers 70.2 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southern State Parkway, Palisades Interstate Parkway, Cross Bronx 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 35.1 miles from Valley Cottage, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.56 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 70.2 miles you will encounter 20 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 27.4 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.3 miles (SO / Southern State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Valley Cottage, NY and Islip, NY, road signs point toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South, Cross Island Parkway South, Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island, Bay Shore Road South and Bay Shore.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument. 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.
