Origin
Brookhaven, NY
Late night in Brookhaven on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brookhaven, NY to Buchanan, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 14m
Distance
92.1 mi
148 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 6m
★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 34m
10 AM
2h 22m
12 PM
2h 20m
3 PM
2h 22m
5 PM
2h 33m
8 PM
2h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buchanan, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 92.1 miles through the Northeast, this drive connects Brookhaven to Buchanan in approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes. It is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that serves perfectly as a efficient day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. Budgeting around $15 for fuel should cover your needs for this trek. You will traverse the region primarily via the Long Island Expressway, the Sprain Brook Parkway, and NY 9A. Because the route is relatively short, it offers a manageable pace for drivers looking to get from point A to point B without unnecessary complications.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.1 miles from Brookhaven, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Long Island Expressway | 41.4 mi | 55m |
| Sprain Brook Parkway | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| NY 9A | 12.6 mi | 19m |
| Horseblock Road | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Cross Island Parkway | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Throgs Neck Expressway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| South Columbus Avenue | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| New England Thruway | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 41.4 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brookhaven, NY and Buchanan, NY.
1
Start on CR 36
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
South Country Road
2
Continue on South Country Road
354 ft
·
16 sec
·
South Country Road
3
Turn straight onto CR 80
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Montauk Highway
4
Turn left onto CR 16
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Horseblock Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto Express Drive North
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Express Drive North
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 495 WEST: New York
7
Merge onto I 495
41 mi
·
55 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 31N-S
Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 31N
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto CI
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
13
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 695
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
Exit 10
Toward I 695 North: New Haven
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 95
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Bruckner Expressway
16
Continue on I 95
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
New England Thruway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Take the exit
351 ft
·
16 sec
Exit 13
Toward Conner Street
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto Tillotson Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Tillotson Avenue
19
Turn left onto Conner Street
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Conner Street
20
Continue on NY 22
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
Provost Avenue
21
Continue on NY 22
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
South 3rd Avenue
22
Turn slight right onto NY 22
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
South Columbus Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Cross County Parkway West
Use the left lane.
24
Merge onto Cross County Parkway
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
·
Cross County Parkway
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 6
Toward Bronx Parkway, Sprain Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward Bronx Parkway North, Sprain Parkway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto Bronx River Parkway
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Bronx River Parkway
28
Keep slight left at fork onto Sprain Brook Parkway
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Sprain Brook Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on Taconic State Parkway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Taconic State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 5
Toward NY 9A, NY 100 North
Use the slight right lane.
31
Continue on NY 9A; NY 100
13 mi
·
19 min
·
NY 9A; NY 100
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Toward NY 9A: Buchanan
33
Turn left onto Welcher Avenue
274 ft
·
11 sec
·
Welcher Avenue
34
Turn left onto NY 9A
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Albany Post Road
35
Turn slight right onto Tate Avenue
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Tate Avenue
36
Enter roundabout
192 ft
·
4 sec
37
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this 2-hour-and-14-minute drive is designed for efficiency, you can easily complete it in a single push without scheduled stops. However, traffic patterns on the Long Island Expressway can be unpredictable, so try to time your departure to avoid peak rush hours to keep your travel time consistent. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the parkways to ensure you aren't searching for a station during the more congested portions of the drive. Because you don't have mandatory stops on this itinerary, you have the flexibility to adjust your schedule based on real-time traffic conditions. Use the 41.4-mile stretch on the expressway to settle into your pace early, as the remaining segments on NY 9A may require more active attention.
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 46.1 miles from Brookhaven, NY, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.4 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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.1 miles or 1h 3m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buchanan, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brookhaven, 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 Brookhaven, NY
This is one driving day of about 92.1 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Brookhaven, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Long Island Expressway for about 41.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46.1 miles from Brookhaven, 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 265 decision points cluster between mile 47.3 and 62.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
47.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m 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
47.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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
50.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m 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
53.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway toward I 695 North: New Haven
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10
Toward I 695 North: New Haven
8
62.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward Bronx Parkway, Sprain Parkway
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 6
Toward Bronx Parkway, Sprain Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.16 one way
$30.32 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $16.39 | $32.79 |
| premium | $4.92 | $17.85 | $35.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.33 | $40.67 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.69
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New England Thruway
(2 mi)
$0.14
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
$15
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.6 | 0 | $9.67 | $4.42 |
| Efficient EV | 23 | 0 | $8.06 | $3.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.89 | $5.89 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Buchanan, NY
Late night in Buchanan on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Mount Vernon, NY
46 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
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
2h 14m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Fire Island National Seashore
National Seashore
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
Park Closure: Pet Restrictions, Beach Driving Closures in Effect March 15 through Labor Day
Caution: Avian Influenza (HPAI) Suspected in Dead Birds in Seashore Areas
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 57.2
View on nps.gov
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 57.2
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument
National Monument
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 54
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument
National Monument
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 54
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument
National Monument
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...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 54
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by high-speed transit, as 69% of your total mileage is spent on highways. The route features a significant 41.4-mile stretch on the Long Island Expressway, which acts as the backbone of your journey before you transition onto the Sprain Brook Parkway and NY 9A. While the experience is largely an interstate grind, the road personality shifts as you move off the main expressway and navigate toward your destination. You should be prepared for a consistent flow of traffic, making this a functional commute rather than a leisurely scenic tour.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.4 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 Sprain Brook Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 47.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 92.1 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 47.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
314 ft
-5 ft
Total Climb
632 ft
Total Descent
600 ft
Highest Point
314 ft
~72.4 mi in
Elevation Range
319 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brookhaven, NY and Buchanan, NY, road signs point toward Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Cross County Parkway West and Bronx Parkway North.
Kennedy Airport
47.3 mi in
|
~1h 4m
Cross Island Parkway North
47.5 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Bronx
50.9 mi in
|
~1h 10m
New England
50.9 mi in
|
~1h 10m
Cross County Parkway West
62.1 mi in
|
~1h 29m
Bronx Parkway North
63 mi in
|
~1h 31m
About the Cities
Starting in Brookhaven, NY
Full guide →Founded 1655
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
- • Stony Brook Grist Mill — watermill
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 92.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.4 miles on Long Island Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.69 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.
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 Buchanan, 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 47.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fire Island National Seashore, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and General Grant National Memorial (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 Buchanan, NY before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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