Traveling from Brunswick to Bushwick covers 168.1 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 43 minutes. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, as it doesn't require an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize the New York State Thruway, NJ 17, and NJ 4 to complete the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, this trip is quite budget-friendly for a solo driver or a small group. Because you remain within the Northeast region throughout your travel, the transition between these two New York locations feels like a straightforward move from an upstate environment into the city. Overall, it is a practical transit route that prioritizes efficiency over leisure.
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
84.1 miles from Brunswick, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
111.2 mi
2h 8m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
I 787
5.8 mi
8m
Brunswick Road
4.9 mi
9m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
4.4 mi
7m
Major Deegan Expressway
2.8 mi
4m
Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
2.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 111.2 mi, about 2h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brunswick, NY and Bushwick, NY.
1
Start on this road
141 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Continue on White Church Road
1.1 mi·2 min·White Church Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto NY 2
0.2 mi·24 sec·State Highway 2
4
Continue on NY 2
4.9 mi·9 min·Brunswick Road
5
Turn left onto NY 66
495 ft·18 sec·Pawling Avenue
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto Linden Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Linden Avenue
7
At end of road, turn right onto Spring Avenue
0.2 mi·28 sec·Spring Avenue
8
Turn left onto Ida Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Ida Street
9
Turn left onto US 4
0.4 mi·1 min·3rd Street
10
Continue on US 4
0.5 mi·1 min·4th Street
11
Continue on US 4
0.3 mi·44 sec·Burden Avenue
12
Continue on NY 378
0.8 mi·1 min·High Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 787 South: AlbanyUse the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Merge onto I 787
5.2 mi·7 min·I 787
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 787
0.6 mi·1 min·I 787
Exit 1Toward I 87 Toll: New York State Thruway
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1
17
Merge onto I 87
111 mi·2 hr 8 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
20
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
23
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
24
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
26
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
28
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.8 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1C-DToward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany, Yankee StadiumUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·57 sec
Exit 1DToward I 87 South: QueensUse the slight left lane.
32
Merge onto I 87
2.8 mi·4 min·Major Deegan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward I 278 West: RFK Bridge, Manhattan, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on I 278
2.3 mi·4 min·Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on I 278; GCP
0.8 mi·1 min·Grand Central Parkway
36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278
4.4 mi·7 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, Staten IslandUse the slight right lane.
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 34Toward Meeker Avenue, Morgan AvenueUse the slight right lane.
38
Turn left onto Vandervoort Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Vandervoort Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
39
At end of road, turn right onto Grand Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Grand Street
Use the right lane.
40
Turn left onto Bushwick Avenue
1.9 mi·4 min·Bushwick Avenue
41
Turn left onto Linden Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·Linden Street
42
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though planning for traffic near the destination is wise. You are allotted one stop during this 3 hour and 43 minute drive, which is perfect for refueling or grabbing a quick snack to stay sharp. Keep that $27 fuel budget in mind when planning your stops, as local road driving can sometimes be less fuel-efficient than consistent highway speeds. Because the final portion of the route involves navigation through NJ 17 and NJ 4, ensure your GPS is updated before you leave to handle the frequent turns with confidence. Using your single stop after the long 111.2-mile Thruway stretch is the best way to reset before tackling the denser local road segments.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 84.1 miles from Brunswick, NY, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.2 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 37 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.1 miles or 1h 49m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bushwick, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brunswick, 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 Brunswick, NY
This is one driving day of about 168.1 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Brunswick, 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 New York State Thruway for about 111.2 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 127.5 and 156.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
127.5 mi into trip|~2h 39m in|NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
128.9 mi into trip|~2h 41m in|NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
153.3 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany, Yankee Stadium
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 1C-D
Toward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany,...
8
153.5 mi into trip|~3h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 87 South: Queens
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 1D
Toward I 87 South: Queens
8
156.7 mi into trip|~3h 21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 278 West: RFK Bridge, Manhattan, Queens
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 278 West: RFK Bridge, Manhattan, Queen...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.67 one way
$55.34 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$29.92
$59.84
premium
$4.92
$32.58
$65.16
diesel
$5.61
$37.11
$74.23
Estimated Tolls: $21.56
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(111.2 mi)$5.56
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
$28
Tolls
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.4
0
$17.65
$8.07
Efficient EV
42
0
$14.71
$6.72
EV Truck/SUV
67.2
0
$23.53
$10.76
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Brunswick, NY
Late night
in Brunswick on Tuesday
Local time
4:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bushwick, NY
Late night
in Bushwick on Tuesday
Local time
4:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Ramapo, NY
84 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
16 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
3h 43m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 156.5
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 156.5
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 168.1
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 168.1
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 168.1
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 168.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that balances highway efficiency with more technical navigation. Only 23% of your journey is spent on major highways, meaning you will spend a significant portion of your time on local roads. Your longest uninterrupted stretch is 111.2 miles on the New York State Thruway, which provides the most consistent cruising speed of the entire trip. As you transition off the Thruway and onto NJ 17 and NJ 4, the character of the drive shifts from open lanes to a more complex, stop-and-go environment. Staying alert is essential, as the route demands constant attention to turns rather than long-distance interstate monotony.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.2 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 127.5 miles in near NY 17.
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 28 significant decision points across 168.1 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 127.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.9 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 153.3 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 Brunswick, NY and Bushwick, NY, road signs point toward Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Albany - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 43m. Total distance: 168.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.2 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $21.56 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Bushwick, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 127.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.9 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 153.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and African Burial Ground National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Bushwick, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
