Traveling from Riverhead to The Bronx covers approximately 71.6 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 18 minutes. Because the duration is relatively short, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $11 for fuel, keeping your transit costs low for this Northeast journey. While the distance is modest, the nature of the drive requires your full attention. It is a straightforward connection within New York state that works well for those looking to traverse the region efficiently without overextending their travel schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.7 miles from Riverhead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
55.4 mi
1h 14m
Nugent Drive
4.1 mi
6m
Cross Bronx Expressway
3.2 mi
4m
Cross Island Parkway
3.1 mi
4m
Throgs Neck Bridge
1.8 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Expressway
0.7 mi
1m
White Plains Road
0.5 mi
1m
East Tremont Avenue
0.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 55.4 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverhead, NY and The Bronx, NY.
1
Start on NY 25
140 ft·10 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto CR 63
0.1 mi·17 sec·Peconic Avenue
3
Turn right onto CR 94
4.1 mi·6 min·Nugent Drive
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on CR 94
0.3 mi·34 sec·Edwards Avenue
5
Turn left
291 ft·6 sec
Toward I 495 West: New YorkUse the left lane.
6
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·31 sec·this road
Toward I 495 West: New York
7
Merge onto I 495
55 mi·1 hr 14 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 31N-SToward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 31NToward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto CI
3.1 mi·4 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 33Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New EnglandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
13
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
3.2 mi·4 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 4BToward Rosedale AvenueUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto Rosedale Avenue
0.2 mi·41 sec·Rosedale Avenue
17
Turn right onto Bronx River Avenue
283 ft·11 sec·Bronx River Avenue
18
Turn straight onto East Tremont Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·East Tremont Avenue
19
Turn left onto White Plains Road
0.5 mi·1 min·White Plains Road
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Cruger Avenue
0.1 mi·32 sec·Cruger Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Cruger Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of these 71.6 miles, you have significant flexibility in your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a wise strategy. Because there are no scheduled stops, you are free to pull over whenever you need a break, making this an ideal route for a relaxed pace. Keep your $11 fuel budget in mind as you plan, and ensure your vehicle is ready for a trip that favors local navigation over open highway driving. Since the journey is just over an hour, consider checking local traffic patterns before you head out to ensure the most efficient path into The Bronx.
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 35.7 miles from Riverhead, NY, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.4 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 16 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.7 miles or 49m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near The Bronx, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Riverhead, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Riverhead, NY
This is one driving day of about 71.5 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Riverhead, 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 55.4 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 70.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
4.5 mi into trip|~7m in
Turn left toward I 495 West: New York
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 495 West: New York
8
60.3 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport
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 31N-S
Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge,...
10
60.5 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 31N
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone B...
8
63.9 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
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 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx,...
7
70.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward Rosedale Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4B
Toward Rosedale Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.77 one way
$23.54 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$12.73
$25.45
premium
$4.92
$13.86
$27.72
diesel
$5.61
$15.79
$31.57
Estimated Tolls: $6.55
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
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
$12
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25 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
21.5
0
$7.51
$3.43
Efficient EV
17.9
0
$6.26
$2.86
EV Truck/SUV
28.6
0
$10.01
$4.58
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Riverhead, NY
Late night
in Riverhead on Tuesday
Local time
4:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
The Bronx, NY
Late night
in The Bronx on Tuesday
Local time
4:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Partly Cloudy
W 5 to 10 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:13PM EDT until April 16 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
18 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 42m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 71.5
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 71.5
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 19.7
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the highway share for this route is 0%, you will spend your time navigating local roads that demand frequent adjustments and active steering. There are no long, uninterrupted stretches of highway to zone out on, so stay alert throughout the 71.6-mile trek. The road's personality is defined by constant transitions, making it feel less like a high-speed transit and more like a focused, technical drive. Be prepared for a steady pace that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.4 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 Nugent Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 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 71.5 miles you will encounter 15 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 4.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 60.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.5 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 Riverhead, NY and The Bronx, NY, road signs point toward Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx and New England.
Riverhead is a town on Long Island in New York. It is the western half of Long Island's North Fork. The town of Riverhead includes the following communities: Aquebogue, Baiting Hollow, Calverton, Jamesport, Northville, & Riverhead (hamlet).
Top landmarks
•Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center — aquarium in Riverhead, New York, United States
•Vail-Leavitt Music Hall — theater and former movie theater in Riverhead, New York, United States
•Jamesport Meeting House — historic meetinghouse in New York, United States
The Bronx is one of the five boroughs of New York. Known for Yankee Stadium, the home field of the New York Yankees baseball team, it has been a borough of New York City since 1898. The vast Bronx Zoo houses hundreds of species of animals. Nearby, the sprawling New York Botanical Garden features a landmark greenhouse with rainforest and cactus displays. By the Hudson River, Wave Hill is a landscaped public garden with wooded paths and a cultural center.
Top landmarks
•New York Botanical Garden — botanical garden in the Bronx, New York City
•Woodlawn Cemetery — cemetery in the Bronx, New York City
•Hall of Fame for Great Americans — architectural structure
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 71.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.4 miles on Long Island Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.55 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.
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 The Bronx, 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 4.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 60.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.5 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 Fire Island National Seashore (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 The Bronx, NY before heading back.
