Pittsford, NY to Brookhaven, NY is 369.8 miles and takes about 7h 52m via I 81 and Long Island Expressway, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, traversing New York state for its entirety. Expect a mix of highway driving and more winding local roads as you approach your destination. Given the drive duration and the number of recommended stops, it's a manageable one-day journey for most drivers, but be prepared for some active steering.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
184.9 miles from Pittsford, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
Long Island Expressway
43.5 mi
59m
New York State Thruway
30 mi
34m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pittsford, NY and Brookhaven, NY.
1
Start on this road
43 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto NY 31
0.4 mi·54 sec·State Street
3
Continue on NY 31
1.3 mi·2 min·Palmyra Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 490 East, I 90: VictorUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 490
5.2 mi·6 min·Eastern Expressway
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
7
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
10
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
11
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
13
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
15
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
16
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
17
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
18
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
19
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
20
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
21
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
22
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
23
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
24
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
25
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
27
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
32
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
33
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
37
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
39
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
41
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
42
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
44
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
46
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
48
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
2.0 mi·2 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6BToward I 295 South: Throgs Neck BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
50
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
51
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Continue on I 295
3.2 mi·3 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
53
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 4E-WToward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long IslandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
54
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 4EToward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
55
Merge onto I 495
43 mi·59 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
56
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 65Toward CR 16: Horse Block Road, Centereach, ShirleyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
57
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
0.2 mi·21 sec·Express Drive South
Toward I 495, CR 101: Yaphank, Riverhead
58
Turn slight right onto CR 16
4.1 mi·6 min·Horseblock Road
Use the right lane.
59
At end of road, turn right onto CR 80
0.9 mi·1 min·Montauk Highway
Use the right lane.
60
Turn left onto CR 36
0.4 mi·50 sec·South Country Road
Use the left lane.
61
Arrive at destination
CR 36
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour, 52-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight and allow ample time for your two planned stops. While the longest stretch is nearly 100 miles on I 81, the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile indicates you'll need to be more engaged with navigation as you near Brookhaven. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $61, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, especially before entering more developed areas where gas stations might be more frequent but also potentially more expensive. Take advantage of the flexibility a single-day drive offers to adjust your pace as needed.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 184.9 miles from Pittsford, NY, or about 3h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 81 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184.9 miles or 3h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 28m
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 Pittsford, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pittsford, NY
This is one driving day of about 369.8 miles and 7h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Pittsford, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 98.8 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 42
5 decision points cluster between mile 37.8 and 312.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
37.8 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
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 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
188.1 mi into trip|~4h 1m in|US 6
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
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
302.7 mi into trip|~6h 17m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
303 mi into trip|~6h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
312.4 mi into trip|~6h 32m in|I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway
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
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 6B
Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.87 one way
$121.74 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$65.82
$131.64
premium
$4.92
$71.67
$143.35
diesel
$5.61
$81.65
$163.29
Estimated Tolls: $24.05
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(30 mi)$1.50
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
$61
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$110–$135
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.9
1
$38.83
$17.75
Efficient EV
92.5
1
$32.36
$14.79
EV Truck/SUV
147.9
1
$51.77
$23.67
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (67% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Pittsford, NY
Late night
in Pittsford on Sunday
Local time
4:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 to 18 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
Destination
Brookhaven, NY
Late night
in Brookhaven on Sunday
Local time
4:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Ramapo, NY
185 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
33 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
7h 52m on the road
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.
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...
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...
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 38.3
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 369.8
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a blend of highway and local driving, with 56% of it on interstates. You'll experience a significant stretch of 98.8 miles on I 81, which provides a good opportunity for steady progress. However, the overall profile is described as 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting that as you get closer to Long Island, the roads will become more intricate and require more frequent adjustments. This means the latter part of your drive might feel less like a direct sprint and more like navigating a network of roads.
Only 56% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
61 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 37.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 42 significant decision points across 369.8 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 37.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.1 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 302.7 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 Pittsford, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.
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 7h 52m. Total distance: 369.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $24.05 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 37.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.1 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 302.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brookhaven, NY before the return drive.
