Brookhaven, NY to Spackenkill, NY is 121.6 miles and takes about 2h 56m via Long Island Expressway and Albany Post Road, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It's a manageable drive that balances highway cruising with surface road travel, making it a solid option for a single-day excursion. You'll spend a good portion of your time on major roadways before transitioning to more local streets.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
60.8 miles from Brookhaven, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
41.4 mi
55m
Albany Post Road
23.1 mi
30m
NY 9A
14.7 mi
22m
Sprain Brook Parkway
12.6 mi
17m
Horseblock Road
4.2 mi
6m
South Road
3.7 mi
6m
Cross Island Parkway
3.1 mi
4m
Throgs Neck Expressway
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 41.4 mi, about 55m
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 Brookhaven, NY and Spackenkill, 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-SToward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 31NToward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse 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 33Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New EnglandUse 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 10Toward I 695 North: New HavenUse 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 13Toward Conner StreetUse 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 WestUse 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 6Toward Bronx Parkway, Sprain ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward Bronx Parkway North, Sprain ParkwayUse 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 5Toward NY 9A, NY 100 NorthUse the slight right lane.
31
Continue on NY 9A; NY 100
15 mi·22 min·NY 9A; NY 100
32
Turn left onto US 6; US 9; US 202
0.2 mi·12 sec·US 6; US 9; US 202
33
Enter roundabout onto US 9
21 ft·0 sec·Albany Post Road
Toward Fishkill
34
Continue on US 9
23 mi·30 min·Albany Post Road
Toward FishkillUse the straight lane.
35
Continue on US 9
3.7 mi·6 min·South Road
36
Take the exit onto Spackenkill Road
0.2 mi·31 sec·Spackenkill Road
37
At end of road, turn left onto NY 113
0.7 mi·1 min·Spackenkill Road
38
Turn right onto Hagan Drive
0.2 mi·52 sec·Hagan Drive
39
Turn right onto Pasture Lane
0.1 mi·28 sec·Pasture Lane
40
Arrive at destination
Pasture Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 56 minute estimated drive time, leaving Brookhaven in the morning should allow you to reach Spackenkill comfortably within daylight hours. The route has only one recommended stop, but you can easily adjust this based on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $20, and plan a refill before you start if you prefer a fuller tank. The transition from highway to surface roads around the 41.4-mile mark on the Long Island Expressway is a good point to be aware of for potential changes in speed limits and traffic.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.8 miles from Brookhaven, NY, or about 1h 27m 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 27 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.8 miles or 1h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spackenkill, 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 121.6 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Brookhaven, 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 Long Island Expressway for about 41.4 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 29
5 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
$21.58 one way
$43.16 round trip
$4.51/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.85
$23.20
$46.40
premium
$5.24
$25.08
$50.16
diesel
$5.35
$25.61
$51.23
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
$22
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.5
0
$12.77
$5.84
Efficient EV
30.4
0
$10.64
$4.86
EV Truck/SUV
48.6
0
$17.02
$7.78
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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 May 27, 2026
Origin
Brookhaven, NY
Afternoon
in Brookhaven on Wednesday
Local time
4:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Sunny
SW 14 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Spackenkill, NY
Afternoon
in Spackenkill on Wednesday
Local time
4:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Partly Sunny
W 10 mph14% 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.
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
12 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 56m 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.
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
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 54.5
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 54.5
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 54.5
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 54.5
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 54.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a 52% highway share, meaning you'll be on major roads for about half of the trip. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 41.4 miles along the Long Island Expressway. After this, you'll transition to surface roads, primarily using Albany Post Road and NY 9A. Expect a noticeable shift in traffic patterns and exit frequency as you move from the highway environment to more built-up local areas.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 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 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 47.3 miles in.
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 29 significant decision points across 121.6 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 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
432 ft-5 ft
Total Climb
883 ft
Total Descent
749 ft
Highest Point
432 ft
~104.2 mi in
Elevation Range
438 ft
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 Spackenkill, NY, road signs point toward Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Cross County Parkway West and Bronx Parkway North - among others.
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
Fishkill
93.6 mi in|~2h 16m|via US 9
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 121.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (52%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
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 Spackenkill, 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 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 Spackenkill, NY before heading back.
