If you are planning to head north from Gravesend to Beacon, expect a journey covering 80.8 miles. This trip typically takes about 1 hour and 52 minutes, making it a perfectly manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will navigate through the Northeast region, transitioning from the urban density of your starting point to the more relaxed environment of Beacon. With an estimated fuel cost of $13, it is an affordable excursion for a quick getaway. Because this route involves no planned stops, you have the freedom to decide your own pace. Keep in mind that this is a direct, local-focused trip rather than a high-speed highway cruise.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.4 miles from Gravesend, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
29.9 mi
34m
NJ 17
22.9 mi
28m
I 84
4.6 mi
5m
NJ 3
4.3 mi
5m
Coney Island Avenue
3.4 mi
6m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
Prospect Expressway
1.9 mi
3m
Holland Tunnel
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 29.9 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gravesend, NY and Beacon, NY.
1
Start on Ocean Parkway
99 ft·8 sec·Ocean Parkway
2
Turn right onto Avenue U
0.2 mi·35 sec·Avenue U
3
Turn left onto Coney Island Avenue
3.4 mi·6 min·Coney Island Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto NY 27
0.2 mi·25 sec·Church Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto NY 27
1.9 mi·3 min·Prospect Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 27
0.4 mi·46 sec·NY 27
Toward I 278 East: Queens, Bronx
7
Merge onto I 278
0.4 mi·39 sec·Gowanus Expressway
8
Keep slight left at fork
2.3 mi·4 min
Exit 25Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, ManhattanUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
230 ft·10 sec
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington BridgeUse the right lane.
10
At end of road, turn right onto NY 9A
1.1 mi·3 min·West Street
Use the right lane.
11
Turn right onto Vestry Street
0.2 mi·47 sec·Vestry Street
12
Turn left onto Hudson Street
374 ft·18 sec·Hudson Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Take the exit
406 ft·14 sec
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New JerseyUse the straight / left lanes.
14
Merge onto I 78
1.8 mi·3 min·Holland Tunnel
15
Continue on I 78
0.4 mi·1 min·14th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139
0.3 mi·24 sec·14th Street Viaduct
Toward NJ 139 West: Pulaski Skyway, Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City
17
Continue on NJ 139
0.8 mi·1 min·NJ 139 Lower Level
18
Continue on NJ 139
406 ft·7 sec·Pulaski Skyway
19
Take the exit
420 ft·14 sec
Toward US 1-9 North: SecaususUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
2.6 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto NJ 3
4.3 mi·5 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: RutherfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: RutherfordUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·3 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on NJ 17
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on NJ 17
4.1 mi·5 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
29
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
30
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
31
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
30 mi·34 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
32
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Exit 17Toward I 84, NY 300, NY 17K: Scranton, NewburghUse the slight right lane.
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward I 84, NY 300: Danbury, Scranton
34
Continue on this road
485 ft·11 sec·this road
35
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 84 East: Danbury
36
Merge onto I 84
4.6 mi·5 min·I 84
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 9D: Beacon, Wappingers Falls
38
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·18 sec·this road
Exit 41Toward NY 9D: Beacon, Wappingers Falls
39
Turn right onto NY 9D; NY 52 Bus
0.1 mi·16 sec·North Road
Use the right lane.
40
Continue on NY 9D; NY 52 Bus
0.6 mi·1 min·North Avenue
41
Turn left onto NY 52 Bus
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
Use the left lane.
42
Arrive at destination
NY 52 Bus
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of these roads, try to time your departure to avoid peak congestion periods in the city to keep your travel time closer to that 1-hour and 52-minute mark. Since there are no designated stops on this 80.8-mile journey, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave to cover the $13 cost comfortably. The lack of highway miles means your pace will be dictated by traffic lights and local speed limits, so build in some extra flexibility for your arrival time. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation app active at all times, as the reliance on local streets like Church Avenue and Coney Island Avenue involves frequent turns that are easy to miss.
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 40.4 miles from Gravesend, NY, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.9 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 18 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.4 miles or 1h 2m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beacon, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gravesend, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gravesend, NY
This is one driving day of about 80.8 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Gravesend, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NY 17 for about 29.9 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.5 and 73.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
6.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
8
8.8 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel...
8
10.2 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
8
20.6 mi into trip|~37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
8
73.9 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 84, NY 300, NY 17K: Scranton, Newburgh
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 17
Toward I 84, NY 300, NY 17K: Scranton, Newburgh
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.30 one way
$26.60 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$14.38
$28.76
premium
$4.92
$15.66
$31.32
diesel
$5.61
$17.84
$35.68
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
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
$13
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.2
0
$8.48
$3.88
Efficient EV
20.2
0
$7.07
$3.23
EV Truck/SUV
32.3
0
$11.31
$5.17
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 Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Gravesend, NY
Late night
in Gravesend on Sunday
Local time
3:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 6 to 12 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:08PM EDT until April 14 at 7:30PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:07PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Beacon, NY
Late night
in Beacon on Sunday
Local time
3:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
49°F
Ramapo, NY
40 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.
Road read
1h 52m 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.
Castle Clinton National Monument
National Monument
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Forget about monotonous interstate cruising; this route is a turn-heavy local drive through and through. You will spend 0% of your time on highways, meaning your focus will stay firmly on navigating local streets. The path relies on a series of turns, primarily utilizing Avenue U, Coney Island Avenue, and Church Avenue to get you moving out of the city. Since there is no single longest uninterrupted stretch, you should prepare for a consistent rhythm of turns and stop-and-go driving. It is a hands-on experience that requires your full attention behind the wheel as you work your way north.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.9 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.5 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 80.8 miles you will encounter 29 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 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 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 Gravesend, NY and Beacon, NY, road signs point toward Bronx, Manhattan, New Jersey, Jersey City, New York State Thruway North: Albany and Newburgh - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 80.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.9 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.00 in tolls one way, starting with Holland Tunnel. 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 Beacon, 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 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Castle Clinton National Monument, Federal Hall 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Beacon, NY before heading back.
