Ghent, NY to Washington Heights, NY is 116.9 miles and takes about 2h 44m via Taconic State Parkway, Saw Mill River Parkway, and NY 9H, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving you from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll be on well-maintained parkways for the majority of this drive, making for a fairly straightforward transit. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, especially if you want to maximize your time at your destination.
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
58.5 miles from Ghent, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Taconic State Parkway
75.9 mi
1h 43m
Saw Mill River Parkway
15.5 mi
21m
NY 9H
7.4 mi
10m
NY 66
6.9 mi
10m
State Highway 82
4.8 mi
6m
Major Deegan Expressway
2.2 mi
3m
Mosholu Parkway
0.9 mi
1m
Nagle Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Taconic State Parkway
— 75.9 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ghent, NY and Washington Heights, NY.
1
Start on Garage Place Road
57 ft·6 sec·Garage Place Road
2
Turn right onto NY 66; CR 9
6.9 mi·10 min·NY 66; CR 9
3
Turn left onto NY 9H
7.4 mi·10 min·NY 9H
4
Turn left onto NY 82
4.8 mi·6 min·State Highway 82
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·1 min
6
Merge onto Taconic State Parkway
76 mi·1 hr 43 min·Taconic State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·44 sec
Exit 3Toward Saw Mill Parkway, YonkersUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
16 mi·21 min·Saw Mill River Parkway
Toward Saw Mill Pkwy, YonkersUse the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on HH
0.4 mi·32 sec·Henry Hudson Parkway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto MP
0.9 mi·1 min·Mosholu Parkway
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 87 South: Deegan Expressway, Robert F. Kennedy BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 87
2.2 mi·3 min·Major Deegan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·27 sec
Exit 9Toward West Fordham Road, University Heights BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto West Fordham Road
379 ft·14 sec·West Fordham Road
15
Continue on University Heights Bridge
0.1 mi·20 sec·University Heights Bridge
16
Continue on West 207th Street
0.2 mi·42 sec·West 207th Street
17
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
428 ft·9 sec·10th Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on Nagle Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Nagle Avenue
19
Turn left onto US 9
0.7 mi·1 min·Broadway
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
US 9
Trip Plan
For this 2h 44m drive, consider leaving Ghent, NY in the late morning to avoid the earliest rush but still arrive with plenty of daylight. With only 116.9 miles, there's no need to split the drive, offering flexibility in your departure time. The estimated fuel cost is around $19, so ensure you have adequate fuel before heading out, as services can be spaced on parkways. Keep an eye on your mileage, particularly for the 75.9-mile stretch on the Taconic State Parkway, to gauge your progress and plan any brief stops.
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 58.5 miles from Ghent, NY, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.9 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 26 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.5 miles or 1h 21m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington Heights, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ghent, 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 Ghent, NY
This is one driving day of about 116.9 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Ghent, 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 Taconic State Parkway for about 75.9 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 95.3 and 115.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
95.3 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward Saw Mill Parkway, Yonkers
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3
Toward Saw Mill Parkway, Yonkers
7
95.8 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|Saw Mill River Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Saw Mill Pkwy, Yonkers
7
112.6 mi into trip|~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 87 South: Deegan Expressway, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
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.
Toward I 87 South: Deegan Expressway, Robert F....
8
115 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward West Fordham Road, University Heights Bridge
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 9
Toward West Fordham Road, University Heights Br...
7
115.5 mi into trip|~2h 41m in|10th Avenue
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.00 one way
$38.00 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$20.56
$41.13
premium
$4.87
$22.40
$44.79
diesel
$5.40
$24.87
$49.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.1
0
$12.27
$5.61
Efficient EV
29.2
0
$10.23
$4.68
EV Truck/SUV
46.8
0
$16.37
$7.48
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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 25, 2026
Origin
Ghent, NY
Evening
in Ghent on Saturday
Local time
7:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
S 6 mph45% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 12:05AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Washington Heights, NY
Evening
in Washington Heights on Saturday
Local time
7:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Rain Showers
SE 8 to 12 mph88% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 12:05AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
3 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 44m 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.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
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
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 116.9
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 116.9
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 116.9
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 116.9
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 116.9
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 116.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on parkways, with 91% of the 116.9 miles being highway. You'll experience a longest stretch of 75.9 miles on the Taconic State Parkway before transitioning to other parkways and eventually surface roads. Expect a smooth cruising experience for most of the trip, with the highway sections offering a consistent pace. The shift from the parkway system to more urban-influenced roadways will become apparent as you approach your destination.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.9 mi on Taconic State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Taconic State Parkway and Saw Mill River Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 95.3 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 116.9 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 95.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.8 miles (Saw Mill River Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.6 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.
On the drive from Ghent, NY to Washington Heights, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Yonkers along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 44m. Total distance: 116.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.9 miles on Taconic State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Washington Heights, 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 95.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.8 miles (Saw Mill River Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (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 Washington Heights, NY before heading back.
