Traveling from Rocky Point to The Bronx covers 68.1 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Since this trip stays entirely within the Northeast region of New York, it is best suited as a straightforward one-day excursion. You should budget approximately $11 for fuel to complete the journey. Because there are no mandatory stops required, you have the flexibility to power through the drive in a single sitting. It is a practical route for those heading from the North Shore of Long Island into the city.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
30 miles from Rocky Point, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
28.3 mi
38m
Nesconset Highway
6.9 mi
10m
Main Street
5.8 mi
10m
Smithtown Bypass
4.5 mi
7m
Cross Bronx Expressway
3.2 mi
4m
Cross Island Parkway
3.1 mi
4m
Throgs Neck Bridge
1.8 mi
3m
Wheeler Road
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 28.3 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rocky Point, NY and The Bronx, NY.
1
Start on Broadway
0.4 mi·1 min·Broadway
2
Turn right onto NY 25A Business
5.8 mi·10 min·Main Street
Use the right lane.
3
Turn straight onto NY 347
6.9 mi·10 min·Nesconset Highway
Toward Route 347 WEST, Nesconset, HauppaugeUse the left lane.
4
Continue on NY 347
4.5 mi·7 min·Smithtown Bypass
5
Take the exit
380 ft·16 sec
Toward Route 111, Islip, SmithtownUse the right lane.
6
Turn left onto NY 111
0.5 mi·46 sec·Hauppauge Boulevard
7
At end of road, turn right onto NY 111; CR 76
421 ft·8 sec·Townline Road
8
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 111
1.5 mi·2 min·Wheeler Road
9
Turn right onto LIE North Service Road
0.5 mi·53 sec·LIE North Service Road
Use the right lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 495 West: New York
11
Merge onto I 495
28 mi·38 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 31N-SToward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 31NToward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto CI
3.1 mi·4 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 33Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New EnglandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
17
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
3.2 mi·4 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 4BToward Rosedale AvenueUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn right onto Rosedale Avenue
0.2 mi·41 sec·Rosedale Avenue
21
Turn right onto Bronx River Avenue
283 ft·11 sec·Bronx River Avenue
22
Turn straight onto East Tremont Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·East Tremont Avenue
23
Turn left onto White Plains Road
0.5 mi·1 min·White Plains Road
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto Cruger Avenue
0.1 mi·32 sec·Cruger Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Cruger Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of these roads, try to time your departure to avoid peak congestion periods to keep your travel time close to the 1 hour and 30-minute estimate. Since the route is relatively short, you do not need to worry about planning overnight stays or complex rest intervals. Keep in mind that the frequent turns mean you should stay alert and anticipate a slower pace than you might be used to on major expressways. My best tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation app active and ready, as the constant transitions between local roads like Route 25A and the Nesconset Highway can be easy to miss if you aren't paying close attention.
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 30 miles from Rocky Point, NY, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.3 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 13 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30 miles or 47m 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 16m
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 Rocky Point, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rocky Point, NY
This is one driving day of about 59.9 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Rocky Point, 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 28.3 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.5 and 58.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
17.5 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward Route 111, Islip, Smithtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Route 111, Islip, Smithtown
8
48.7 mi into trip|~1h 12m 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
49 mi into trip|~1h 13m 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
52.4 mi into trip|~1h 18m 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
58.6 mi into trip|~1h 28m 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
$9.86 one way
$19.72 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg21 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$10.66
$21.32
premium
$4.92
$11.61
$23.22
diesel
$5.61
$13.23
$26.45
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
$10
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
18
0
$6.29
$2.88
Efficient EV
15
0
$5.24
$2.40
EV Truck/SUV
24
0
$8.39
$3.83
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Rocky Point, NY
Night
in Rocky Point on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
The Bronx, NY
Night
in The Bronx on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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 32m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 59.9
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 59.9
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 57.9
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 57.9
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 57.9
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 57.9
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 high-speed interstate cruise, as this route maintains a 0% highway share. You will navigate via Main Street, Route 25A, and the Nesconset Highway throughout the entire 68.1-mile trek. Because the longest stretch of road is effectively 0 miles on Main Street, you will find yourself making frequent turns and adjustments behind the wheel. This path requires your full attention, as the technical nature of the local roads creates a very different experience than a typical, monotonous highway commute.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.3 mi on Long Island Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.5 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 59.9 miles you will encounter 20 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 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49 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 Rocky Point, NY and The Bronx, NY, road signs point toward Nesconset, Hauppauge, Islip, Smithtown, Kennedy Airport and Cross Island Parkway North - among others.
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 32m. Total distance: 59.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (59%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.3 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 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49 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 Stonewall National Monument (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.
