Brookhaven, NY to Upper Nyack, NY is 81.1 miles and takes about 1h 57m via South Country Road, Montauk Highway, and Horseblock Road, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within New York, making it a straightforward local excursion. The route primarily uses surface roads, so expect a more relaxed pace than highway driving. It's a good option if you're looking for a direct, no-fuss drive between these two points without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.5 miles from Brookhaven, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
41.4 mi
55m
New York State Thruway
14.9 mi
20m
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
Throgs Neck Bridge
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 41.4 mi, about 55m
Traffic on I-495
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,892 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~524 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 74 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 Upper Nyack, 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
0.8 mi·1 min·Cross County Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
0.6 mi·56 sec·Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
Toward Exits 5 - 4N - 4SUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 4NToward Central Park Avenue NorthUse the slight right lane.
27
Turn straight onto Central Park Avenue
0.2 mi·32 sec·Central Park Avenue
28
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 87 North, New York State Thruway North: Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, Albany
29
Merge onto I 87
15 mi·20 min·New York State Thruway
Use the slight right lane.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 11Toward US 9W: Nyack
31
Continue on High Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·High Avenue
32
Turn left onto US 9W
1.1 mi·1 min·North Highland Avenue
33
Turn right onto Christian Herald Road
437 ft·11 sec·Christian Herald Road
34
Continue on Old Mountain Road North
0.3 mi·44 sec·Old Mountain Road North
35
Continue on Old Mountain Road
185 ft·11 sec·Old Mountain Road
36
Turn left
99 ft·7 sec
37
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 81.1-mile distance and 1h 57m estimated drive time, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving Brookhaven, NY in the morning should allow you to reach Upper Nyack, NY with plenty of time to spare. Since there are no designated stops in the data, you can be flexible with breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $14, and plan your fill-up accordingly before you depart or when you see a convenient station. The reliance on surface roads means you should anticipate traffic lights and potential slowdowns, especially during peak hours.
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 40.5 miles from Brookhaven, NY, or about 55m 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 18 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.5 miles or 55m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Upper Nyack, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brookhaven, NY
This is one driving day of about 81.1 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 47.3 and 58.8 — 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
7
58.8 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward Conner Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13
Toward Conner Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.33 one way
$28.65 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$15.50
$31.00
premium
$5.28
$16.85
$33.69
diesel
$6.18
$19.73
$39.46
Estimated Tolls: $7.43
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(14.9 mi)$0.74
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
$14
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: 28.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.3
0
$8.52
$3.89
Efficient EV
20.3
0
$7.10
$3.24
EV Truck/SUV
32.4
0
$11.35
$5.19
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Brookhaven, NY
Late night
in Brookhaven on Tuesday
Local time
1:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Clear
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Upper Nyack, NY
Late night
in Upper Nyack on Tuesday
Local time
1:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Mostly Clear
N 3 mph0% 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
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 57m 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
Caution: West Nile Virus detected in Mosquito Samples at the Floyd Estate, FI Pines
Park Closure: Talisman-Barrett Beach Dock Closed for 2026 Season; Services Limited
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 55.9
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 55.9
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
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 55.9
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
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 53.1
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...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 53.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 100% surface roads, meaning you won't encounter any limited-access highways. You'll be navigating local streets and main thoroughfares like South Country Road, Montauk Highway, and Horseblock Road for the entire 81.1 miles. Be prepared for frequent intersections and traffic signals as you traverse populated areas. The longest stretch without a significant stop is not specified, but the 1h 57m duration suggests a consistent, moderate pace.
61% 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 New York State Thruway. 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
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.1 miles you will encounter 25 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 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
199 ft-5 ft
Total Climb
611 ft
Total Descent
439 ft
Highest Point
199 ft
~46.3 mi in
Elevation Range
204 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 Upper Nyack, NY, road signs point toward Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Cross County Parkway West and Exits 5 - 4N - 4S - 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
Exits 5 - 4N - 4S
63.2 mi in|~1h 31m|via Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
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
Nyack is in Rockland County, New York. This article also covers the nearby towns of Upper Nyack and South Nyack, immediately to the north and south of Nyack, respectively.
Top landmarks
•First Methodist Episcopal Church of Nyack — church building in Upper Nyack, United States of America
•Shadowcliff — historic home located at Upper Nyack, Rockland County, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 81.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). 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 $7.43 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 Upper Nyack, 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 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 Upper Nyack, NY before heading back.
