Lumis Restaurant
Later in the drive, short detour
Fairfield, New Jersey
Hours: 12–9:30 pm
+19739442049
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h
Distance
286.4 mi
461 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Ithaca, NY
Abhishek Navlakha
This approximately 286-mile drive from East Ithaca, NY to Brookhaven, NY is manageable as a single-day trip, taking about 6 hours to complete. You'll navigate a mix of major roadways, including the Keystone Shortway, I-81, and the Long Island Expressway, with 60% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $47. This trip stays within the Northeast region, offering a straightforward journey for those looking to cover ground efficiently. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 80 miles, it's designed for a direct transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
143.2 miles from East Ithaca, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 80 mi | 1h 37m |
| I 81 | 73.5 mi | 1h 28m |
| Long Island Expressway | 43.5 mi | 59m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| State Highway 79 | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| Slaterville Road | 11.1 mi | 16m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 5.5 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between East Ithaca, NY and Brookhaven, NY.
Start on NY 366
Turn left onto Elmwood Avenue
Turn left onto Worth Street
Turn right onto Cornell Street
Turn left onto NY 79
Continue on NY 79
Continue on NY 79
Continue on NY 79
Turn right onto NY 26
Take the exit
Merge onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
Continue on I 84; I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right
Turn straight onto CR 56
Continue on CR 56
Continue on CR 56
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
Continue on I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95; US 1
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
Merge onto I 295
Continue on I 295
Continue on I 295
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
Turn slight right onto CR 16
At end of road, turn right onto CR 80
Turn left onto CR 36
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from East Ithaca to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially as you approach Long Island. With only one planned stop and a longest driving stretch of 80 miles, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $47 for the entire trip. A practical tip is to be aware of potential congestion on the Long Island Expressway as you get closer to Brookhaven, particularly during peak commute hours.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 63 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.2 miles or 2h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brookhaven, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving East Ithaca, 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 East Ithaca, NY
This is one driving day of about 286.4 miles and 6h.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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.
A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 143.2 miles from East Ithaca, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Fairfield, New Jersey
Later in the drive, short detour
Hours: 12–9:30 pm
+19739442049
Triplets Family Restaurant
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Fusion 27 restaurant and catering services
Totowa, New Jersey
Top Coffee Stop
New York, New York
Later in the drive, short detour
+19172614093
Later in the drive, short detour
Fairfield, New Jersey
Hours: 12–9:30 pm
+19739442049
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Hours: 5 am–9 pm
+15704216566
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Totowa, New Jersey
Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm
+19735955595
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~10 min detour
New York, New York
Hours: 8 am–6 pm
+15167490697
Later in the drive, ~11 min detour
New York, New York
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+12122806200
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Queens, New York
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+17183477136
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~12 min detour
New York, New York
Hours: 11 am–3 pm
+12127941890
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
New York, New York
+19172614093
Later in the drive, ~9 min detour
New York, New York
Hours: 8 am–11 pm
+12122220683
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~11 min detour
Englewood, New Jersey
Hours: Closed
+12015675111
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~12 min detour
Montclair, New Jersey
Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm
+19733586543
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Ithaca, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18334662474
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Ithaca, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Ithaca, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Ithaca, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887174544
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Ithaca, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Ithaca, New York
+16072552400
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Bronx, New York
Hours: 8:30 am–8:30 pm
+17182998750
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Bronx, NY
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+12126399675
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Bronx, New York
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+12126399675
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Bronx, New York
Hours: 11 am–6 pm
+17186816000
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Bronx, New York
+12129265337
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
New York, NY
Hours: 6 am–1 pm
+12126399675
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
New York, NY
Hours: 6 am–1 pm
+12126399675
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 104.7 and 236.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Regular Gas
$47.14 one way
$94.29 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $50.98 | $101.95 |
| premium | $4.92 | $55.51 | $111.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $63.23 | $126.47 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.55
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
$47
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$95–$120
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.9 | 1 | $30.07 | $13.75 |
| Efficient EV | 71.6 | 0 | $25.06 | $11.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.6 | 1 | $40.10 | $18.33 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in East Ithaca on Sunday
Local time
1:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Brookhaven on Sunday
Local time
1:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
49°F
Ramapo, NY
143 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, balancing highway speeds with other road types. Approximately 60% of this journey utilizes highways, allowing for consistent travel. You'll encounter an 80-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, which is the longest uninterrupted segment. The drive transitions between different road systems, so be prepared for changes in speed limits and traffic patterns as you progress toward Long Island. This blend means you won't be on a monotonous interstate for the entire duration.
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 104.7 miles in near US 6.
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 32 significant decision points across 286.4 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 104.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Ithaca, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level - among others.
Mt Pocono
Milford
New York City
Leonia
Teaneck
George Washington Bridge Upper Level
Eastern Long Island
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h. Total distance: 286.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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