New York City, NY to Village of the Branch, NY is 50 miles and takes about 1h 15m via Long Island Expressway, with a fuel budget near $8 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within New York, traveling from the bustling Northeast region of the US to another part of the Northeast. It's a straightforward trip, largely following major highways, making it a convenient option for a quick drive. Given its short duration, it’s ideal for a same-day excursion without feeling rushed.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
37.6 mi
52m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
4.4 mi
7m
Wheeler Road
1.6 mi
2m
Hauppauge Road
1.3 mi
2m
Brooklyn Bridge
1.1 mi
2m
Hauppauge Boulevard
0.9 mi
1m
Express Drive South
0.6 mi
1m
Prospect Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 37.6 mi, about 52m
Traffic on I-495
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~4,880 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~521 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 24 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Village of the Branch, NY.
1
Start on Broadway
79 ft·10 sec·Broadway
2
Turn left onto Chambers Street
0.1 mi·36 sec·Chambers Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Turn right onto Centre Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·Centre Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Continue on Brooklyn Bridge
1.1 mi·2 min·Brooklyn Bridge
5
Take the exit
343 ft·9 sec
Toward I 278: Brooklyn Queens Expressway, Cadman Plaza WestUse the right lane.
6
Turn right
254 ft·9 sec
Toward I 278: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
7
Turn right onto Cadman Plaza West
31 ft·1 sec·Cadman Plaza West
8
Turn slight right
223 ft·8 sec
Toward Brooklyn-Queens Expressway East
9
Turn slight right onto Prospect Street
0.2 mi·52 sec·Prospect Street
Use the right lane.
10
Turn right onto Jay Street
276 ft·17 sec·Jay Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
At end of road, turn left onto Sands Street
56 ft·2 sec·Sands Street
Use the left lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 278 East: Triborough Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens ExpresswayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 278
3.6 mi·5 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278
0.8 mi·1 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 35A-BToward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, 48th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·18 sec·this road
Exit 35Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, 48 Street
17
Keep slight right at fork
308 ft·8 sec
Exit 35BToward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhead, 48th StreetUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 35EToward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, RiverheadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island
20
Merge onto I 495
38 mi·52 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 56Toward NY 111: Smithtown, IslipUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
0.2 mi·23 sec·Express Drive South
23
Continue on Express Drive South
0.4 mi·44 sec·Express Drive South
24
Turn left onto NY 111
1.6 mi·2 min·Wheeler Road
25
Continue on NY 111
0.1 mi·17 sec·Townline Road
Use the left lane.
26
Turn left onto NY 111
0.9 mi·1 min·Hauppauge Boulevard
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on NY 111
1.3 mi·2 min·Hauppauge Road
28
Turn right onto NY 25
23 ft·0 sec·East Main Street
Use the right lane.
29
Arrive at destination
NY 25
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 25 miles from New York City, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 45.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Chambers Street
Turn left onto Chambers Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
6.3 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, 48th Street
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 35A-B
Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Isla...
10
6.5 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhead, 48th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 35B
Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhe...
9
6.6 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhead
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 35E
Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhe...
8
45.3 mi into trip|~1h 8m in
Take the exit toward NY 111: Smithtown, Islip
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 56
Toward NY 111: Smithtown, Islip
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.13 one way
$16.25 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg18 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$8.80
$17.59
premium
$4.87
$9.58
$19.16
diesel
$5.40
$10.64
$21.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
15
0
$5.25
$2.40
Efficient EV
12.5
0
$4.38
$2.00
EV Truck/SUV
20
0
$7.00
$3.20
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
New York City, NY
Late night
in New York City on Sunday
Local time
2:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Light Rain
SE 9 to 13 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 11:36AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Village of the Branch, NY
Late night
in Village of the Branch on Sunday
Local time
2:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
SE 5 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 11:36AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
1h 15m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 84% of the 50 miles on high-speed roads like the Long Island Expressway and Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on the Long Island Expressway, covering 37.6 miles. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate through developed areas, transitioning to surface roads like Wheeler Road closer to your destination.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.6 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 Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Chambers Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 50 miles you will encounter 21 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: near the start (Chambers Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 New York City, NY and Village of the Branch, NY, road signs point toward Eastern Long Island, Riverhead and Islip.
New York (known as "The Big Apple", "NYC," and often called "New York City") is a global center for media, entertainment, art, fashion, research, finance, and trade. The bustling, cosmopolitan heart of the 4th largest metropolis in the world and by far the most populous city in the United States, New York has long been a key entry point and a defining city for the nation.
From the Statue of Liberty in the harbor to the Empire State Building towering over the Manhattan skyline, from the tunnels of the subway to the riches of Wall Street, from the bright signs of Times Square to the naturalistic beauty of Central Park, and from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York's landmarks are quintessential American landmarks. The city's neighborhoods and streets are so iconic they have become ingrained into the American consciousness.
Top landmarks
•Statue of Liberty — American icon in New York, United States
•National September 11 Memorial & Museum — memorial & museum in New York City commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks
•Plaza Hotel — hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York City
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 15m. Total distance: 50 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.6 miles on Long Island Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Village of the Branch, 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: near the start (Chambers Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Federal Hall 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 Village of the Branch, NY before heading back.
