The drive from Veteran, NY to Babylon, NY covers 138.9 miles and takes about 2h 57m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New York State Thruway, Southern State Parkway, NJ 17 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 70.5 miles on New York State Thruway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.86 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
69.4 miles from Veteran, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 138.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (41%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Veteran, NY to Babylon, NY covers 138.9 miles and takes about 2h 57m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 36 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 70.5 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 71.9 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 138.9 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 71.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.4 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
71.9 mi into trip|~1h 24m 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
73.3 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
102.4 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
115.3 mi into trip|~2h 24m 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
133.8 mi into trip|~2h 48m 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 Veteran, 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
87.4 mi in|~1h 44m
Fort Lee
87.4 mi in|~1h 44m
New York
87.4 mi in|~1h 44m
Cross Island Parkway South
113.8 mi in|~2h 22m
Southern State Parkway East
115.3 mi in|~2h 24m
Eastern Long Island
115.3 mi in|~2h 24m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
70.5 mi
1h 21m
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
Farmingdale Road
3.5 mi
5m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 70.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Veteran, NY and Babylon, NY.
1
Start on State Route 212
0.9 mi·1 min·State Route 212
2
Continue on Saugerties-Woodstock Road
430 ft·17 sec·Saugerties-Woodstock Road
3
Turn left onto NY 32
0.1 mi·12 sec·King's Highway
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
5
Merge onto I 87
71 mi·1 hr 21 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
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.
7
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
8
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.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
11
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
16
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
18
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
21
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
24
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi·35 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
26
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft·9 sec·225th Street
Use the right lane.
27
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
28
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
30
Merge onto SO
18 mi·22 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 33Toward NY 109 East: BabylonUse the slight right lane.
32
Turn slight right onto NY 109
3.5 mi·5 min·Farmingdale Road
Use the left lane.
33
Continue on NY 109
0.9 mi·1 min·Little East Neck Road North
34
Turn left onto NY 27A
0.5 mi·49 sec·West Main Street
35
Turn right onto South Carll Avenue
68 ft·2 sec·South Carll Avenue
36
Arrive at destination
South Carll Avenue
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.4 miles from Veteran, NY, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.5 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 31 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.4 miles or 1h 21m 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 22m
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 Veteran, 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 Veteran, NY
This is one driving day of about 138.9 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Veteran, 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 New York State Thruway for about 70.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69.4 mi from Veteran, NY
· 1h 21m into the drive
The midpoint is around 69.4 miles from Veteran, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.5 miles.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 95.8
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...
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 95.8
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 95.8
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 95.8
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 95.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.86 one way
$45.73 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$24.72
$49.45
premium
$4.92
$26.92
$53.84
diesel
$5.61
$30.67
$61.33
Estimated Tolls: $26.08
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(70.5 mi)$3.53
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
$23
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.6 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
41.7
0
$14.58
$6.67
Efficient EV
34.7
0
$12.15
$5.56
EV Truck/SUV
55.6
0
$19.45
$8.89
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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 14, 2026
Origin
Veteran, NY
Morning
in Veteran on Saturday
Local time
6:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Babylon, NY
Morning
in Babylon on Saturday
Local time
6:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
S 12 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 5:45PM EDT until April 14 at 6:30PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 2:52PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
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
37 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 57m 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 Veteran, NY to Babylon, NY covers 138.9 miles and takes about 2h 57m 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 69.4 miles from Veteran, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.86 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.
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 24 significant decision points across 138.9 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 71.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.4 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Veteran, 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.
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.
