Traveling from Mount Vernon to Brookhaven covers 62.5 miles of Northeast territory within New York state. You can expect a drive time of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, making this a very manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of roughly $10, it is an economical route for a quick getaway. You will primarily utilize the Long Island Expressway, Clearview Expressway, and Horseblock Road to complete the journey. Because this is a straightforward trek, it offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
31.3 miles from Mount Vernon, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
43.5 mi
59m
Horseblock Road
4.1 mi
6m
Clearview Expressway
3.2 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Expressway
2.2 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
New England Thruway
1.8 mi
2m
North 5th Avenue
1.5 mi
3m
Bruckner Expressway
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 43.5 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Vernon, NY and Brookhaven, NY.
1
Start on East Prospect Avenue
315 ft·17 sec·East Prospect Avenue
2
Turn left onto North 5th Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·North 5th Avenue
3
Continue on Dyre Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Dyre Avenue
4
Continue on Steenwick Avenue
0.2 mi·30 sec·Steenwick Avenue
5
At end of road, turn right onto New England Thruway
0.3 mi·32 sec·New England Thruway
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 95 South
7
Merge onto I 95
1.5 mi·2 min·New England Thruway
8
Continue on I 95
1.3 mi·2 min·Bruckner Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
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.
10
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 295
3.2 mi·3 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 4E-WToward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long IslandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 4EToward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
14
Merge onto I 495
43 mi·59 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 65Toward CR 16: Horse Block Road, Centereach, ShirleyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
0.2 mi·21 sec·Express Drive South
Toward I 495, CR 101: Yaphank, Riverhead
17
Turn slight right onto CR 16
4.1 mi·6 min·Horseblock Road
Use the right lane.
18
At end of road, turn right onto CR 80
0.9 mi·1 min·Montauk Highway
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto CR 36
0.4 mi·50 sec·South Country Road
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
CR 36
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 62.5-mile trip, your biggest variable is traffic flow on the major expressways. Aim to depart outside of peak commuting hours to ensure you maintain that 1 hour and 30 minute travel time. Because you will spend most of your time on the highway, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting the road to avoid unnecessary stops. Given the direct nature of the route, you have the advantage of being able to complete the drive in one go without needing to plan for breaks. Keep a close eye on the transition to Horseblock Road as you approach your final destination to ensure a smooth arrival.
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 31.3 miles from Mount Vernon, NY, or about 46m 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 14 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.3 miles or 46m 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 16m
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 Mount Vernon, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mount Vernon, NY
This is one driving day of about 62.5 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Mount Vernon, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.5 and 61.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
5.5 mi into trip|~11m 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
12.9 mi into trip|~21m 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
13 mi into trip|~21m 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...
8
56.8 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward CR 16: Horse Block Road, Centereach, Shirley
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 65
Toward CR 16: Horse Block Road, Centereach, Shi...
6
61.3 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|CR 80 / Montauk Highway
At end of road, turn right onto CR 80 / Montauk Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.29 one way
$20.58 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg22 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$11.12
$22.25
premium
$4.92
$12.11
$24.23
diesel
$5.61
$13.80
$27.60
Estimated Tolls: $6.66
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New England Thruway
(1.5 mi)$0.11
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
$10
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
18.8
0
$6.56
$3.00
Efficient EV
15.6
0
$5.47
$2.50
EV Truck/SUV
25
0
$8.75
$4.00
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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 13, 2026
Origin
Mount Vernon, NY
Late night
in Mount Vernon on Tuesday
Local time
5:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brookhaven, NY
Late night
in Brookhaven on Tuesday
Local time
5:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy
SW 3 to 13 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:26AM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
49°F
North Hills, NY
31 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
9 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
1h 30m 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.
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 62.5
Park Closure: Pet Restrictions, Beach Driving Closures in Effect March 15 through Labor Day
Caution: Avian Influenza (HPAI) Suspected in Dead Birds in Seashore Areas
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...
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...
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 10.8
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 6.5
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 12.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 80% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the Long Island Expressway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 43.5 miles. While the route begins with the urban transition from Mount Vernon, the character of the drive shifts as you merge onto the expressways. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience rather than technical winding roads, keeping you moving efficiently toward your destination in Brookhaven.
80% 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: 43.5 mi on Long Island Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Island Expressway and Horseblock Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 miles in near I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 62.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 5.5 miles (I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Mount Vernon, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Long Island, Eastern Long Island, Centereach, Shirley, Cr 101: Yaphank and Riverhead.
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 1h 30m. Total distance: 62.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). 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 $6.66 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.
Yes — we found about 3 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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.
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 5.5 miles (I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
