Riverhead, NY to Washington Heights, NY is 74.1 miles and takes about 1h 44m via Long Island Expressway and Cross Bronx Expressway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York State, connecting two points in the Northeast region. The majority of your travel will be on major highways, making it a straightforward connection between Long Island and upper Manhattan. It's a relatively short drive, suitable for a single day with minimal planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37 miles from Riverhead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
55.4 mi
1h 14m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6 mi
7m
Nugent Drive
4.1 mi
6m
Cross Island Parkway
3.1 mi
4m
Throgs Neck Bridge
1.8 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Expressway
0.7 mi
1m
Washington Bridge
0.4 mi
1m
Edwards Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 55.4 mi, about 1h 14m
Traffic on I-495
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 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 Riverhead, NY and Washington Heights, 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
6.0 mi·7 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 1D-C-BToward I 87: Queens, Albany, Major Deegan ExpresswayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 1BToward Amsterdam AvenueUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto Washington Bridge
0.4 mi·1 min·Washington Bridge
18
Continue on West 181st Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·West 181st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto Wadsworth Avenue
237 ft·14 sec·Wadsworth Avenue
20
Turn left onto West 182nd Street
277 ft·23 sec·West 182nd Street
21
Turn left onto US 9
229 ft·4 sec·Broadway
22
Arrive at destination
US 9
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 44m estimated drive time, leaving Riverhead, NY in the morning or mid-afternoon should allow you to complete the 74.1-mile trip within daylight hours. With no stops recommended and a low fuel cost of around $12, you have a lot of flexibility. The longest stretch is 55.4 miles on the Long Island Expressway, so plan to fuel up before you begin if you prefer not to stop on the highway. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you merge onto the Cross Bronx Expressway, as this can significantly impact your arrival time.
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 37 miles from Riverhead, NY, or about 51m 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 37 miles or 51m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington Heights, 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 74.1 miles and 1h 44m.
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 73.1 — 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,...
9
73.1 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Amsterdam Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward Amsterdam Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.04 one way
$24.09 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$13.03
$26.07
premium
$4.87
$14.20
$28.39
diesel
$5.40
$15.76
$31.52
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
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.2
0
$7.78
$3.56
Efficient EV
18.5
0
$6.48
$2.96
EV Truck/SUV
29.6
0
$10.37
$4.74
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Riverhead, NY
Afternoon
in Riverhead on Sunday
Local time
1:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Partly Cloudy then Widespread Frost
SE 3 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 11:36AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Washington Heights, NY
Afternoon
in Washington Heights on Sunday
Local time
1:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Light Rain
SE 9 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 11:36AM 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
8 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 44m 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...
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...
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 20.4
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 74.1
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 74.1
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 74.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 88% of the 74.1 miles on major expressways. You'll experience a long stretch of 55.4 miles on the Long Island Expressway before transitioning to the Cross Bronx Expressway and Nugent Drive. Expect dense exit traffic as you approach your destination in Washington Heights, a common characteristic of urban highway systems.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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 Cross Bronx Expressway. 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 74.1 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 Washington Heights, 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
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 74.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). 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.
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 Washington Heights, 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 Washington Heights, NY before heading back.
