Connecting Buchanan to Brookhaven, this 93.7-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the Northeast that typically takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Because of the manageable duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to complete the transit without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $15 for fuel to cover the total distance. Navigating through New York, you will primarily rely on the Sprain Brook Parkway, US 9, and the Long Island Expressway. It is a practical, highway-focused drive that prioritizes efficiency over leisure, making it a reliable option for travelers looking to move between these two points quickly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.9 miles from Buchanan, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
43.5 mi
59m
Sprain Brook Parkway
12.8 mi
17m
US 9
12.4 mi
19m
Horseblock Road
4.1 mi
6m
Clearview Expressway
3.2 mi
3m
North Columbus Avenue
2.3 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Expressway
2.2 mi
3m
New England Thruway
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 43.5 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buchanan, NY and Brookhaven, NY.
1
Start on this road
28 ft·3 sec·this road
2
Continue on Tate Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Tate Avenue
3
Turn slight left onto NY 9A
0.5 mi·51 sec·Albany Post Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
5
Merge onto US 9
12 mi·19 min·US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward New York City
7
Merge onto Taconic State Parkway
1.9 mi·2 min·Taconic State Parkway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto Sprain Brook Parkway
13 mi·17 min·Sprain Brook Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on Bronx River Parkway
0.4 mi·44 sec·Bronx River Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 11EToward Cross County Parkway East, Mount VernonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
0.7 mi·1 min·Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 8Toward NY 22: North Columbus Avenue, Mount VernonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto Parkway South
380 ft·15 sec·Parkway South
Toward NY 22
14
Turn right onto NY 22
2.3 mi·3 min·North Columbus Avenue
15
Continue on NY 22
0.2 mi·17 sec·South 3rd Avenue
16
Continue on NY 22
0.3 mi·1 min·Provost Avenue
17
Continue on Conner Street
0.2 mi·21 sec·Conner Street
18
Turn right onto New England Thruway
0.5 mi·59 sec·New England Thruway
19
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 95 South
20
Merge onto I 95
1.5 mi·2 min·New England Thruway
21
Continue on I 95
1.3 mi·2 min·Bruckner Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695
2.2 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Exit 7AToward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long IslandUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 295
3.2 mi·3 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 4E-WToward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long IslandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 4EToward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
27
Merge onto I 495
43 mi·59 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 65Toward CR 16: Horse Block Road, Centereach, ShirleyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
0.2 mi·21 sec·Express Drive South
Toward I 495, CR 101: Yaphank, Riverhead
30
Turn slight right onto CR 16
4.1 mi·6 min·Horseblock Road
Use the right lane.
31
At end of road, turn right onto CR 80
0.9 mi·1 min·Montauk Highway
Use the right lane.
32
Turn left onto CR 36
0.4 mi·50 sec·South Country Road
Use the left lane.
33
Arrive at destination
CR 36
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. However, given the reliance on major highways like the Long Island Expressway, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure you stay within that 2-hour and 15-minute estimate. With no mandatory stops required, you can easily power through the entire 93.7 miles in one go. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the expressway, as the high-speed nature of the route can impact your consumption. Using the $15 fuel budget as a baseline, make sure to top off before you depart Buchanan to avoid unnecessary detours once you hit the heavier traffic zones.
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 46.9 miles from Buchanan, NY, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.5 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 21 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.9 miles or 1h 10m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brookhaven, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Buchanan, 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 Buchanan, NY
This is one driving day of about 93.7 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Buchanan, 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 43.5 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 28.9 and 44.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
28.9 mi into trip|~42m in
Take the exit toward Cross County Parkway East, Mount Vernon
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 11E
Toward Cross County Parkway East, Mount Vernon
8
30 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the exit toward NY 22: North Columbus Avenue, Mount Vernon
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 8
Toward NY 22: North Columbus Avenue, Mount Vern...
9
36.7 mi into trip|~56m in|I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway toward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 7A
Toward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Is...
8
44.1 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
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 4E-W
Toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
8
44.2 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 4E
Toward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, East...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.42 one way
$30.85 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$16.68
$33.36
premium
$4.92
$18.16
$36.32
diesel
$5.61
$20.69
$41.38
Estimated Tolls: $6.70
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New England Thruway
(1.5 mi)$0.11
New England Thruway
(0.5 mi)$0.04
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: 32.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.1
0
$9.84
$4.50
Efficient EV
23.4
0
$8.20
$3.75
EV Truck/SUV
37.5
0
$13.12
$6.00
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 15, 2026
Origin
Buchanan, NY
Late night
in Buchanan on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brookhaven, NY
Late night
in Brookhaven on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Mount Vernon, NY
47 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 15m 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
near mile 93.7
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 35.6
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 35.6
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by heavy highway usage, with 84% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. The experience is primarily an interstate grind rather than a leisurely backroads cruise, designed to keep you moving toward your destination. You will face a significant 43.5-mile uninterrupted stretch along the Long Island Expressway, which serves as the core of the transit. While the initial segments involve US 9 and the Sprain Brook Parkway, the character of the drive shifts quickly to high-speed highway travel. Be prepared for a consistent flow of traffic as you transition across these primary transit arteries.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.5 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 28.9 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 23 significant decision points across 93.7 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 28.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.7 miles (I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
390 ft9 ft
Total Climb
517 ft
Total Descent
549 ft
Highest Point
390 ft
~20.1 mi in
Elevation Range
382 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Buchanan, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward New York City, Cross County Parkway East, Mount Vernon, Long Island, Eastern Long Island and Centereach - among others.
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 15m. Total distance: 93.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.5 miles on Long Island Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.70 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 Brookhaven, 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 28.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.7 miles (I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Brookhaven, NY before heading back.
