Bethel, NY to Washington Heights, NY is 88.7 miles and takes about 2h 8m via Taconic State Parkway and Saw Mill River Parkway, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, connecting two points in the Northeast region. The route is primarily highway, making it a straightforward drive. You'll find it’s a good option for a quick trip when you want to get from point A to point B efficiently without a lot of planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.4 miles from Bethel, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Taconic State Parkway
50.9 mi
1h 9m
Saw Mill River Parkway
15.5 mi
21m
State Highway 82
13.7 mi
19m
Major Deegan Expressway
2.2 mi
3m
Mosholu Parkway
0.9 mi
1m
US 44
0.8 mi
1m
Nagle Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Broadway
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Taconic State Parkway
— 50.9 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethel, NY and Washington Heights, NY.
1
Start on this road
132 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Carpenter Hill Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Carpenter Hill Road
3
Turn right onto Bethel Cross Road
0.6 mi·2 min·Bethel Cross Road
4
Turn right onto Strever Farm Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Strever Farm Road
5
Turn sharp left onto NY 82
14 mi·19 min·State Highway 82
6
At end of road, turn right onto US 44
0.8 mi·1 min·US 44
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
8
Merge onto Taconic State Parkway
51 mi·1 hr 9 min·Taconic State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·44 sec
Exit 3Toward Saw Mill Parkway, YonkersUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
16 mi·21 min·Saw Mill River Parkway
Toward Saw Mill Pkwy, YonkersUse the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on HH
0.4 mi·32 sec·Henry Hudson Parkway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto MP
0.9 mi·1 min·Mosholu Parkway
Use the slight left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 87 South: Deegan Expressway, Robert F. Kennedy BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 87
2.2 mi·3 min·Major Deegan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·27 sec
Exit 9Toward West Fordham Road, University Heights BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto West Fordham Road
379 ft·14 sec·West Fordham Road
17
Continue on University Heights Bridge
0.1 mi·20 sec·University Heights Bridge
18
Continue on West 207th Street
0.2 mi·42 sec·West 207th Street
19
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
428 ft·9 sec·10th Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on Nagle Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Nagle Avenue
21
Turn left onto US 9
0.7 mi·1 min·Broadway
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
US 9
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 2 hours, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of time to arrive without feeling rushed. Since it's a relatively short trip with minimal stops, you won't need to factor in lengthy breaks. The fuel cost is estimated at $14, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Bethel. Keep an eye out for the transition from the parkways to local roads as you get closer to your destination.
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 44.4 miles from Bethel, NY, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.9 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 20 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.4 miles or 1h 5m 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 47m
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 Bethel, 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 Bethel, NY
This is one driving day of about 88.7 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Bethel, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Taconic State Parkway for about 50.9 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 67.1 and 87.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
67.1 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward Saw Mill Parkway, Yonkers
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 3
Toward Saw Mill Parkway, Yonkers
7
67.6 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|Saw Mill River Parkway
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.6
0
$9.31
$4.26
Efficient EV
22.2
0
$7.76
$3.55
EV Truck/SUV
35.5
0
$12.42
$5.68
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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 26, 2026
Origin
Bethel, NY
Afternoon
in Bethel on Sunday
Local time
1:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Washington Heights, NY
Afternoon
in Washington Heights on Sunday
Local time
1:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Sunny
NE 10 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 12:24AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 8:05PM EDT until April 26 at 11:00AM 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
13 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 8m 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.
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
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 88.7
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 88.7
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 88.7
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 88.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 95% highway, so expect mostly high-speed cruising. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 50.9 miles on the Taconic State Parkway. You'll transition to surface roads for the final few miles as you approach Washington Heights. The profile suggests a consistent pace with few interruptions until the very end of the drive.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.9 mi on Taconic State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Taconic State Parkway and Saw Mill River Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 67.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 88.7 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 67.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.6 miles (Saw Mill River Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bethel, NY to Washington Heights, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Yonkers along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 88.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.9 miles on Taconic State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 67.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.6 miles (Saw Mill River Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Washington Heights, NY before heading back.
