Beekmantown, NY to Washington Heights, NY is 302.9 miles and takes about 6h via Adirondack Northway/I 87/NJ 17, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, beginning and ending in New York. Expect a blend of highway cruising and surface roads as you make your way south. It's a solid option if you're looking for a direct, single-day drive between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
151.4 miles from Beekmantown, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Adirondack Northway
154.1 mi
2h 59m
I 87
118.6 mi
2h 17m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
NY 22
4.4 mi
6m
I 95 EXPR
1.5 mi
2m
NY 17
0.9 mi
<1m
I 287
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Adirondack Northway
— 154.1 mi, about 2h 59m
Traffic on I-87
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,496 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,286
Quietest
1 AM
~113 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
22.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Beekmantown, NY and Washington Heights, NY.
1
Start on NY 22
4.3 mi·6 min·NY 22
2
Turn left onto NY 22; NY 374
479 ft·12 sec·NY 22; NY 374
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
4
Merge onto I 87
154 mi·2 hr 59 min·Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
5
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.
6
Continue on I 87
0.5 mi·51 sec·I 87
Exit 1WToward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
7
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.
8
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.
9
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
10
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.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
13
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
18
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi·45 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
19
Take the exit onto US 9
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 9
Exit 1AToward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 9
0.2 mi·42 sec·US 9
Toward West 178th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto US 9
0.2 mi·34 sec·Broadway
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
US 9
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour drive time, leaving Beekmantown in the morning is ideal to arrive with plenty of daylight. You'll have one recommended stop, which should be enough to break up the drive, but feel free to take additional breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $49. The longest stretch without needing to navigate off the main highways is over 150 miles, so plan accordingly if you prefer more frequent stops. This drive is manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your timing.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 151.4 miles from Beekmantown, NY, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154.1 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 67 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.4 miles or 2h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington Heights, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Beekmantown, 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 Beekmantown, NY
This is one driving day of about 302.9 miles and 6h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Beekmantown, 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 Adirondack Northway for about 154.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 158.9 and 302.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
158.9 mi into trip|~3h 7m 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
277.5 mi into trip|~5h 25m 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
278.9 mi into trip|~5h 26m 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
302.4 mi into trip|~5h 59m in|US 9
Take the exit onto US 9 toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street
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 1A
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th...
8
302.5 mi into trip|~5h 59m in|US 9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 9 toward West 178th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward West 178th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.23 one way
$98.45 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$53.28
$106.56
premium
$4.87
$58.03
$116.06
diesel
$5.40
$64.43
$128.86
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
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
$49
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.9
1
$31.80
$14.54
Efficient EV
75.7
0
$26.50
$12.12
EV Truck/SUV
121.2
1
$42.41
$19.39
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% 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 Apr 25, 2026
Origin
Beekmantown, NY
Afternoon
in Beekmantown on Saturday
Local time
2:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
30°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 11:36AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Washington Heights, NY
Afternoon
in Washington Heights on Saturday
Local time
2:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Light Rain
SE 9 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 11:36AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
40°F
Nassau, NY
151 mi in
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
15 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
6h on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About half of this 302.9-mile drive, 49%, is on major highways like the Adirondack Northway (I 87). You'll encounter your longest stretch of uninterrupted highway driving for 154.1 miles on the Adirondack Northway. After the highway portion, expect a shift to mixed surface roads. The transition point from highway to surface roads will likely involve noticing a change in traffic patterns and speed limits.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 154.1 mi on Adirondack Northway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 158.9 miles in near I 87.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 302.9 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 158.9 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 277.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 278.9 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Beekmantown, NY and Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York and Buffalo.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h. Total distance: 302.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 154.1 miles on Adirondack Northway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.00 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 25 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 Washington Heights, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 158.9 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 277.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 278.9 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Washington Heights, NY before the return drive.
