Brentwood, NY to Washington Heights, NY is 42.4 miles and takes about 1 hour 3 minutes via Long Island Expressway, with a fuel budget near $7 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York State, moving from the Northeast region of Long Island into the urban landscape of Upper Manhattan. Given its relatively short distance and primarily highway profile, this route is best suited for a single-day excursion. Expect to encounter typical metropolitan traffic patterns as you approach your destination. It's a straightforward drive that gets you from point A to B efficiently.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
24.8 mi
33m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6 mi
7m
Cross Island Parkway
3.1 mi
4m
Crooked Hill Road
2.3 mi
4m
Throgs Neck Bridge
1.8 mi
3m
Suffolk Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Throgs Neck Expressway
0.7 mi
1m
North Service Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 24.8 mi, about 33m
Traffic on I-495
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~4,880 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~521 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 24 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 Brentwood, NY and Washington Heights, NY.
1
Start on CR 100
0.8 mi·1 min·Suffolk Avenue
2
Turn right onto CR 13
0.2 mi·23 sec·Wicks Road
Use the right lane.
3
Keep slight left at fork onto CR 13
2.3 mi·4 min·Crooked Hill Road
4
Turn left onto North Service Road
0.4 mi·37 sec·North Service Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 495 West: New York
6
Merge onto I 495
25 mi·33 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 31N-SToward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 31NToward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto CI
3.1 mi·4 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 33Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New EnglandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
12
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.0 mi·7 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 1D-C-BToward I 87: Queens, Albany, Major Deegan ExpresswayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 1BToward Amsterdam AvenueUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto Washington Bridge
0.4 mi·1 min·Washington Bridge
17
Continue on West 181st Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·West 181st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto Wadsworth Avenue
237 ft·14 sec·Wadsworth Avenue
19
Turn left onto West 182nd Street
277 ft·23 sec·West 182nd Street
20
Turn left onto US 9
229 ft·4 sec·Broadway
21
Arrive at destination
US 9
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 21.2 miles from Brentwood, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 28.6 and 41.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
28.6 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport
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 31N-S
Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge,...
10
28.8 mi into trip|~41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 31N
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone B...
8
32.2 mi into trip|~46m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
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 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx,...
8
41.3 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward I 87: Queens, Albany, Major Deegan Expressway
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 1D-C-B
Toward I 87: Queens, Albany, Major Deegan Expre...
9
41.4 mi into trip|~1h in
Keep slight left at fork toward Amsterdam Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward Amsterdam Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.89 one way
$13.78 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg15 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$7.46
$14.92
premium
$4.87
$8.12
$16.25
diesel
$5.40
$9.02
$18.04
Estimated Tolls: $6.55
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$7
Total
$13
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
12.7
0
$4.45
$2.04
Efficient EV
10.6
0
$3.71
$1.70
EV Truck/SUV
17
0
$5.94
$2.71
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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 26, 2026
Origin
Brentwood, NY
Morning
in Brentwood on Sunday
Local time
10:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
NE 8 to 12 mph26% 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
Destination
Washington Heights, NY
Morning
in Washington Heights on Sunday
Local time
10:49 AM
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
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 3m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 81% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on the Long Island Expressway and Cross Bronx Expressway. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 24.8 miles on the Long Island Expressway. You'll transition from highway cruising to more urban surface streets as you near Washington Heights. Be prepared for merging traffic and a higher density of exits as you enter the city.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.8 mi on Long Island Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Island Expressway and Cross Bronx Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 42.4 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 28.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.2 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.
Between Brentwood, NY and Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx and New England.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 3m. Total distance: 42.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24.8 miles on Long Island Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.55 in tolls one way, starting with Throgs Neck 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 3 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 28.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.2 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.
