Hi Folks, welcome to the Southern State Parkway. Located on Long Island, NY. I have now come to travel this roadway twice a day. There are things that Ive been noticing about this roadway more. I must update my review to issue some cautions. I travel mostly every major roadway on Long Island on a weekly basis, as a result I have an opportunity to compare different routes. There's something that stands out about the Southern State Parkway that is unique. Usually every roadway travels in a way that's equal to the terrain. In many spots to Southern State runs contrary to the natural lay of the land, especially on dangerous curves. I have noticed more and more memorials to young people who have crashed on this roadway from excessive speed or distractions. Southern State Parkway is not an easy Road way to travel. There are many low bridges, abrupt dangerous curves, mile-long funeral processions and... OMG!! Too many speeding jerks in hot souped up cars. Abruptly changing lanes without any signaling or having regard for their lives or others who must share the road with them. It seems to be getting worse by the day. I have a few for suggestions for folks keeping safer. Which would include ..Avoid this roadway entirely if possible. Keep to the right lane and go a little slower ( yes like an old man).. and let the jerks all pass you. I see more kids on this roadway in hot street racing cars zipping back and forth, then on any other roadway on Long Island. Together with the increasing roadside memoriams, it does concern me... I think I know why this problem exists specifically here. Why... I think I have a partial answer. Street racing has been glamorized by many shows and TV series. I have seen lots on cable. These shows are very cool. It's important to note that this racing is being done by "Really," experienced adults. Everyone wants a hot car when I was a kid I had a hot car. I had a bunch of hot cars. But I didn't race them. I felt I didn't have enough experience yet and there wasn't a professional track if I would feel safe on available to me. One equipped with Emergency apparatus and personnel, God forbid I messed up. Like the pros have. Some less experienced drivers today I have these hot Speedy cars but unfortunately not the driving experience to match their speed. So these cars jumping back and forth on Southern State Parkway, where are they going to? And where are they coming from? I work in the industrial park off Edison Avenue off of exit 35 on the Southern State Parkway. If I go home late in the evening on weekends I will find the road closed off by kids street racing up and down the streets. 6 weeks ago, I had to pull a whole bunch of kids out of wrecked flaming vehicles on Edison Avenue. I thank the Lord that I was put there at that specific moment. I am trained security officer and everyone was okay. This is not the first accident I have seen in this small 10 block Square. There are many spots in the roadways that are untravelable because of the deep ruts, grooves and tire slicks from the racing! You can see them over the entire stretch of the Edison avenue. Every week, stretches of fencing next to the cemetery that adjoins the roadway..are ripped open with headstones knocked down from the cars careening into the cemetery. The Southern State Parkway is the pathway to these events kids come in from the city and other areas. They travel to this famous and glamorized area. Too many have unfortunate results on the way. Perhaps this is a partial explanation. Please slow down don't practice for your racing on the way on the Southern state I hope some folks who make policy. NY. State troopers and Nassau/Suffolk County P.D. read this. Perhaps we can all help stop the heartbreaking weekly crashes on this roadway. read more

See all

What's in a roadways name, I ask. If I'm pressed for time and/or if I'm stuck bumper to bumper, roadway names are meaningless. As long as I can make my commitment on time, preferring to be twenty minutes early too two minutes late, and/or make the trip somewhat unscathed from the stresses and drudgery heavy traffic induces, the roadways name could be The Rumplestilskin Junction, I care not. However, the flipside to what's in a roadways name when I'm not being pressed, not in traffic where my interest and curiosities are aroused as to whats to do, whats the history and in this example the roadways name provides indication of my location and that I do like. Unfortunately as time marches on with over population, emissions pollution and not feeling excited to jump in the automobile for another little adventure, the first example is most applicable. There just never seems to be a safe time during daylight to drive out east to explore a town, have a meal, frolick in the sand off an exit on the Southern State Parkway, so I steer clear. Not that the Long Island Expressway nor the Northern State are beacons of adventurous transportation hope, clearly not, but I dare say even those two tracks of typical New York disrepair give my a glimmer of hope to enjoy more of my day outside of my car than inside my car as I find myself when choosing to drive the Southern State Parkway. read more

Exit 13 on southern state parkway big pothole right lane got a flat tire because of it so did the car in front of me . Hazard lights on almost got rear ended and the car behind me also was about to get rear ended. Very dangerous read more

Southern State Parkway - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - New York, New York

Why do we drive on parkways and park in driveways? Seriously - always wondered that. I feel like I've spent the majority of my life traveling east and west on the southern state parkway. I was on it for college, work, to see ex boyfriends and friends that always happened to live at the other end of where I was. I'm a South Shore girl, what can I say? It's not as notoriously traffic ridden as other LI roads such as the dreaded 347 and the LIE, however during rush hours ( 7:15-9:45am & 4-6:30pm ) you're pretty much doubling your normal commute... especially if you're driving in Nassau. The traffic epicenters are Route 110, Wantagh Parkway, Meadowbrook Parkway and Eagle ave. If there happens to be an accident on the Meadowbrook parkway (not uncommon!) and you're heading westbound, you're gonna have a bad time. I'm talking about roadways turning into a parking lot... but don't get mad! You can be doing something productive. Don't believe me? Here's a quick list: Impress your friends with you lyrical knowledge of all the new songs: Face it, if you're stuck and traffic and listening to WBLI or any other mind numbing radio station that plays the same songs over and over again ad nauseam you're gonna learn all the words. Bust out some Adele or Gotye at the next party! Master your patience: That's right! You're going to be there for a while. Especially when some JERK comes up on a ramp to cut you off in slow moving traffic. Now, you can lean on your horn and give them the NYS bird OR you can roll your eyes, scoff and be glad that SOB didn't cause an accident and create even more traffic in front of you. Get Creative: Because of rush hour traffic on the SSP I have a developed the ability to put on liquid eyeliner while operating a moving vehicle. Unsafe you say? Nah! I can also organize my center console and glove box too! Reconnect with friends and family: Call them! (Hands-free of course!). Hopefully they're on the same network as you.... Now that you've mastered traffic-productiveness sit back and relax. Ahhh, the SSP isn't so bad now is it? :) read more

This highway starts in Queens and starts at the juncture of the end of the Belt Parkway and beginning of the Cross Island Expressway. It runs east into Long Island for about 25 miles. It passes West Islip, and Suffolk County. It's a pretty windy road so be wary of speeding and curves. Especially when the weather is not good out. read more

The Southern State is the main artery through LI, even moreso I think than the LIRR (world's longest parking lot). Apart from the main artery for those living on the southern part of LI, the SS is the best access to the beaches and Heckscher State Park. It is a beautiful thoroughfare which winds through tree and grass strewn areas, you almost do not know you are on a parkway. The bad part about the highway is that it is the only major thoroughfare through the south part of the island. People use it to get away from slow moving and commercial Sunrise Highway and it does get crowded. The idiots who drive on it like they are in Le Mans makes it a nightmare to drive at times as well, read more

The Southern State Parkway was built a long time ago and really not built for the new century traffic! The parkways on Long Island NY you always hear of trucks hitting the overpass almost every week. I recommend New Truck Drivers for what it's worth do a trial run so you know where your going and you don't wind up being the 6 o'clock NEWS!!! read more

Someone actually made a business page for a highway? COMEDY! Instead of giving actual reviews for a paved road, how about we all give our stories of things we have seen here! Also, this parkway deserves 5 stars! If not, feel free to go on the northern state insured! And free up my left lane too while you're at it! read more

Ok... You people who drive on this road really need to take drivers ed again. That lever on the left side of the steering column is a TURNING SIGNAL and according to NYS law you must use it before changing lanes. Also when going eastbound, exit 18 Eagle Avenue is an exit lane not a lane to stop and attempt to merge left. When you see the sign that says "EXIT ONLY"... MERGE LEFT AND GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!! During rush hour the SSP is a parking lot from exits 23-35. Good luck, take Sunrise or Merrick to avoid this. When driving westbound please be aware that the Belt is on the left and Cross Island is on the right. You should have changed lanes by now and not be in awe of the fact that you are driving where they ambushed and killed Sonny! Mandatory road tests every 5 years!!!!!!! read more

Can and need to improved. Need more patrols from the police here, and not just for speeding. Some people behave as if they need to take driving lessons, or are just it qualified enough to drive! I stood here on traffic for 45 minutes today, and for what? For a very old last who decided that she drive on the left lane until she will get to her exit. The only problem was that she was driving 10 miles per hour. Not just for the time waisted for couple hundred drivers, but also for the safety of that woman. read more

Just finished reading Sam K's review and felt the need to add my two cents. Not only do I remember the toll booths in Valley Steam (still reminded by the extra real estate there), but I also remember the gas stations that were mighty convenient back in the day. Growing up in Merrick, I drove this highway many a time and still enjoy the foliage every time I use it. Traffic can be a nightmare, but what are you going to do, the Northern State and LIE are no better. read more

Unfortunately I have to take this road daily. Traffic is always backed up for no plausible reason whatsoever! There are way to many potholes to count and way too may accidents on a daily basis. And when it rains bad, it's just floods so bad to the point sometimes movement stops! The state troopers aren't helping always pulling people over and making more unnecessary traffic to add to the mess. I wish there was another route for me to take, however the other options are more slower then this! read more

There's a state trooper hiding in the bushes every other mile. No matter what time of the day it is there is ALWAYS "moving construction" going on yet the highway still is infested with potholes. Avoid this highway at all costs read more

Potholes is very bad between exit 13 and 16....a bad accident waiting to happen . It's a shame that our roads are so bad .

I mean what can one say about the Southern State Parkway? It is overly congested like most other expressways and highways on Long Island but it is the road that must be taken to get to the Belt or Conduit Ave when I am not in the mood to take Sunrise Hwy all the way down. I drive the SS just about everyday and the potholes every winter seem to be getting worse and worse and taking longer and longer to fix. It is quite important to pay attention when you're driving because the roads really are atrocious and I find myself swerving in and out of lanes to avoid damaging my rims and/or getting a flat. It is also vital that people truly pay attention and slow down when exiting because the ramps are extremely narrow and winding and if you are going too fast...major problems can ensue. The traffic blows but I would be lost without this major artery that takes me into Brooklyn every day to go to work. read more

Dangerous road because if it's sharp turns. They have recently made most if the turns have a solid line so you can't change lanes. There is almost always traffic in Nassau County. read more

It has its good days and bad days. 4-6 in the evening I want to drive into on coming traffic.

This is a beautiful thoroughfare in which construction started all the way back in 1925. For me personally, the highlight had to have occurred in July 1978, when the Valley Stream tollbooths located between EXIT 13 and EXIT 14 were removed. Despite its natural beauty and all its recent improvements, portions of the Southern State Parkway remain congested and sometimes very dangerous. One section in Nassau County is known as "Blood Alley" for its sharp curves as well as its very short on and off ramps. The Southern State Parkway in my opinion remains a beautiful and vital link in Long Island's motor parkways. read more

This highway needs a major cleaning, over grown trees and weeds line the roadway. Not sure where the state working are. I have driven in many state roads and this has to be the dirtiest road I've ever seen read more

Grab the sugar while you still can. Or should I say cut the honey while it's still there for the slicing. Food ain't worth eatin' if you can't buy it as a fat brick. Freeze it. Dry it. Let it rot for all I care. Save it for emergencies. Legit ones. This road's taken me on a few strong journeys. Did I have a map? Negative, friend. Flying by instruments like the other cruising locals of Strong Island. Get where you're going via this thoroughfare. Even if that means going out of your way. Life's too short to miss this byway. read more

Three accidents today. added 20 mins to my commute. otherwise I would rate 4 stars. it was raining out but not to bad.