Embarking on a journey from Bangor, NY, to Brookhaven, NY, covers 397.6 miles and typically takes around 8 hours and 30 minutes to complete. This drive primarily utilizes I-87, also known as the Adirondack Northway, and the Long Island Expressway. Given its substantial length and duration, this route is best tackled over two days, allowing for a more relaxed pace and the chance to make stops. You can expect a fuel cost of approximately $65 for this trip. The drive transitions from a northeastern setting to another, offering a full immersion within the region.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
198.8 miles from Bangor, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 87
118.6 mi
2h 17m
Adirondack Northway
103.7 mi
2h 1m
Long Island Expressway
43.5 mi
59m
Adirondack Trail
31 mi
42m
State Highway 73
18.7 mi
27m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 87
— 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Traffic on I-87
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,467 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,399
Quietest
1 AM
~114 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 79 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bangor, NY and Brookhaven, NY.
1
Start on NY 11B
5.3 mi·7 min·NY 11B
2
Turn sharp right onto NY 30
0.4 mi·1 min·Finney Boulevard
3
Continue on NY 30
31 mi·42 min·Adirondack Trail
4
Turn left onto NY 86
3.7 mi·5 min·Easy Street
5
Continue on NY 86
1.9 mi·2 min·State Highway 86
6
Continue on NY 86
2.8 mi·4 min·Harrietstown Road
7
Continue on NY 86
3.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 86
8
Continue on NY 86
0.5 mi·56 sec·Broadway Street
9
Turn left onto NY 86
490 ft·12 sec·Bloomingdale Avenue
10
Turn right onto NY 3; NY 86
0.4 mi·50 sec·Church Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto NY 86
0.2 mi·32 sec·River Street
12
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 86
304 ft·8 sec·River Street
13
Turn slight right onto NY 86
1.1 mi·2 min·Lake Flower Avenue
14
Continue on NY 86
4.9 mi·7 min·Saranac-Placid Road
15
Turn right onto CR 35
3.6 mi·6 min·Old Military Road
16
Turn straight onto NY 73
5.3 mi·7 min·Cascade Road
17
Continue on NY 73
7.2 mi·10 min·State Highway 73
18
Turn straight onto NY 9N; NY 73
1.8 mi·3 min·State Highway 9N
19
Continue on NY 73
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 73
20
Turn straight onto US 9
2.1 mi·2 min·US 9
21
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 87 South
22
Merge onto I 87
104 mi·2 hr 1 min·Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
0.3 mi·31 sec·I 87
Exit 1E-WToward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, BuffaloUse the slight right lane.
24
Continue on I 87
0.5 mi·51 sec·I 87
Exit 1WToward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 87
Toward I 87 South: New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
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.
27
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
28
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.
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
31
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
32
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
34
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
36
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
38
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
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.
40
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
41
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Continue on I 295
3.2 mi·3 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 4E-WToward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long IslandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 4EToward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
45
Merge onto I 495
43 mi·59 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 65Toward CR 16: Horse Block Road, Centereach, ShirleyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
47
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
0.2 mi·21 sec·Express Drive South
Toward I 495, CR 101: Yaphank, Riverhead
48
Turn slight right onto CR 16
4.1 mi·6 min·Horseblock Road
Use the right lane.
49
At end of road, turn right onto CR 80
0.9 mi·1 min·Montauk Highway
Use the right lane.
50
Turn left onto CR 36
0.4 mi·50 sec·South Country Road
Use the left lane.
51
Arrive at destination
CR 36
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 397.6-mile drive, splitting it into two days is highly recommended, especially with an 8.5-hour estimated duration. Aim for an early departure on your first day to maximize daylight and conquer a good portion of I-87. Plan for at least two stops to rest and refuel, ensuring you stay alert. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $65, and it’s wise to top off before entering longer stretches. A specific tip for this route: be aware that the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests you might encounter more frequent, less predictable turns as you get closer to Brookhaven, so stay focused on navigation.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 198.8 miles from Bangor, NY, or about 4h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 87 miles or 2h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 198.8 miles or 4h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 198.8 miles or 4h 19m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brookhaven, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bangor, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bangor, NY
Aim for roughly 199 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Brookhaven, NY
Aim for roughly 199 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Bangor, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 87 for about 118.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 191.1 and 347.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
191.1 mi into trip|~4h 10m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1E-W
Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
9
309.7 mi into trip|~6h 28m 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
311.1 mi into trip|~6h 30m 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
340.1 mi into trip|~7h 10m 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
347.9 mi into trip|~7h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
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 4E-W
Toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$69.60 one way
$139.19 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg139 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$75.42
$150.84
premium
$5.23
$81.87
$163.74
diesel
$6.28
$98.24
$196.48
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
$70
Tolls
$23
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$222–$332
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 139.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
119.3
1
$41.75
$19.08
Efficient EV
99.4
1
$34.79
$15.90
EV Truck/SUV
159
1
$55.66
$25.45
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Bangor, NY
Night
in Bangor on Thursday
Local time
9:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Clear
SW 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Brookhaven, NY
Night
in Brookhaven on Thursday
Local time
9:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Clear
NE 5 mph0% 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
2 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
8h 30m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 329
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...
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 397.6
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 164.5
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 329
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...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 329
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents a dynamic driving experience, characterized by a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile despite a 56% highway share. While you'll spend a significant portion on major arteries like I-87, expect the road to weave through various terrains and potentially less direct paths as you progress. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a considerable 118.6 miles on I-87, offering a period of consistent travel. However, be prepared for the drive to shift character, incorporating more local roads and turns, especially as you approach your destination.
Only 56% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
51 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.6 mi on I 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 191.1 miles in near I 87.
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 30 significant decision points across 397.6 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 191.1 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 309.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 311.1 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,797 ft9 ft
Total Climb
1,260 ft
Total Descent
2,022 ft
Highest Point
1,797 ft
~56.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,788 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bangor, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and Eastern Long Island.
Brookhaven is the largest town in Suffolk County, part of Long Island, New York. With 485,000 residents (2020). It includes a patchwork of villages and other communities, and is the only town on the island to touch both the Long Island Sound and Atlantic Ocean. The villages of Belle Terre, Bellport, Lake Grove, Mastic Beach, Old Field, Patchogue, Poquott, Port Jefferson, and Shoreham are semi-autonomous, and provide their own services in addition to those provided by the town. Other prominent communities include Mount Sinai, Stony Brook, and Fire Island, a long and car-free resort island off the south coast of the town.
Top landmarks
•Wardenclyffe Tower — early experimental wireless transmission station designed and built by Nikola Te...
•West Meadow Beach Historic District — historic district in the United States
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.6 miles on I 87. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 199 miles on day one.
Expect about $22.55 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Brookhaven, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 191.1 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 309.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 311.1 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Fire Island National Seashore (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.5 hours each way, a round trip means 17.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brookhaven, NY before the return drive.
