Richmond Hill, NY to Brighton, NY is 323.8 miles and takes about 6h 56m via I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, connecting the Northeast region from one point to another. While much of the drive is on major highways, a significant portion involves surface roads, so expect a mix of cruising and more local travel. It's a manageable distance for a single day, but consider your departure time to avoid potential traffic.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
161.9 miles from Richmond Hill, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
97.3 mi
1h 55m
Christopher Columbus Highway
44.6 mi
52m
New York State Thruway
30.3 mi
34m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
Eastern Expressway
11.3 mi
13m
US 46
10.8 mi
12m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 97.3 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 246 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,353 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,201
Quietest
1 AM
~459 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Richmond Hill, NY and Brighton, NY.
1
Start on Jamaica Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Jamaica Avenue
2
Turn left onto Van Wyck Expressway
0.1 mi·21 sec·Van Wyck Expressway
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on 138th Street
298 ft·6 sec·138th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway, Whitestone Bridge, Bronx
5
Merge onto I 678
2.7 mi·3 min·Van Wyck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·58 sec
Exit 12BToward I 495 West: Midtown TunnelUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 495
3.4 mi·5 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 17WToward I 278 West: BrooklynUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, ManhattanUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 495
1.4 mi·2 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
1.3 mi·2 min·Queens-Midtown Tunnel
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward Crosstown, 37th StreetUse the slight left lane.
13
Turn slight left onto East 37th Street
1.1 mi·3 min·East 37th Street
Use the slight left lane.
14
Take the ramp
474 ft·11 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel
15
Turn right
342 ft·11 sec
Use the right lane.
16
Merge onto NY 495
105 ft·4 sec·Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 495
3.7 mi·6 min·Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
Toward Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·29 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: SecaucusUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
453 ft·7 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: CliftonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto NJ 3
10 mi·12 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto US 46
11 mi·12 min·US 46
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
23
Continue on I 80W
1.6 mi·1 min·Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, MahwahUse the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water GapUse the straight / slight left lanes.
25
Merge onto I 80
45 mi·52 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
28
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
29
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
30
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
33
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
34
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
35
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
36
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
37
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
38
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
39
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
40
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
41
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
42
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
43
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
44
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
45
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
46
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
47
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
48
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
49
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
50
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
51
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
52
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
53
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
54
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
55
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 45Toward I 490: RochesterUse the slight right lane.
56
Continue on I 490
11 mi·13 min·Eastern Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
57
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 20Toward University Avenue, Winton RoadUse the slight right lane.
58
Turn straight onto University Avenue
333 ft·10 sec·University Avenue
59
Turn right onto North Winton Road
453 ft·9 sec·North Winton Road
60
Turn right onto Halstead Street
0.2 mi·49 sec·Halstead Street
61
Turn sharp left
177 ft·13 sec
62
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 56m estimated drive time, departing Richmond Hill in the morning should allow you to reach Brighton with daylight to spare. While the route data suggests one stop, you'll likely want to plan for at least one fuel and rest break. The longest stretch without a major highway change is 97.3 miles on I 81, so consider a stop before or after this segment. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, be mindful of potential traffic as you leave the New York City metropolitan area. The shift to surface roads for a good portion of the route means you'll want to stay alert for changing conditions.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.9 miles from Richmond Hill, NY, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.3 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 71 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.9 miles or 3h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brighton, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Richmond Hill, 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 Richmond Hill, NY
This is one driving day of about 323.8 miles and 6h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Richmond Hill, 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 I 81 for about 97.3 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 48
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 323.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.8 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12B
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
8
8.7 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan
8
12 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Crosstown, 37th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Crosstown, 37th Street
8
17.4 mi into trip|~31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
8
323.2 mi into trip|~6h 54m in
Take the exit toward University Avenue, Winton Road
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 20
Toward University Avenue, Winton Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.68 one way
$113.36 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$61.42
$122.84
premium
$5.23
$66.67
$133.34
diesel
$6.28
$80.01
$160.01
Estimated Tolls: $17.52
Lincoln Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30.3 mi)$1.52
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
$57
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.1
1
$34.00
$15.54
Efficient EV
81
0
$28.33
$12.95
EV Truck/SUV
129.5
1
$45.33
$20.72
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Richmond Hill, NY
Late night
in Richmond Hill on Thursday
Local time
5:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Clear
NE 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Brighton, NY
Late night
in Brighton on Thursday
Local time
5:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Clear
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
56°F
Barton, NY
162 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
8 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
6h 56m 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.
Stonewall National Monument
National Monument
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...
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...
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 11.2
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...
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
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 279.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features 55% highway travel, with the longest continuous stretch on I 81 measuring 97.3 miles. You'll encounter the Christopher Columbus Highway and the New York State Thruway as part of your main roads. After the highway segments, the profile shifts to mostly surface roads. Be prepared for a change in pace as you transition from faster-paced highway driving to navigating through more populated areas with varying speed limits and more frequent intersections.
Only 55% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
62 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.3 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 3.8 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 48 significant decision points across 323.8 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 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,819 ft59 ft
Total Climb
2,025 ft
Total Descent
1,638 ft
Highest Point
1,819 ft
~115.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,760 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Richmond Hill, NY and Brighton, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Albany.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 56m. Total distance: 323.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 56m 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 97.3 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $17.52 in tolls one way, starting with Lincoln 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.
Yes — we found about 41 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 Brighton, 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. There are 41 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stonewall National Monument, African Burial Ground National Monument and Castle Clinton National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brighton, NY before the return drive.
