Long Island Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Sound Beach, NY to Washington Heights, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 31m
Distance
60.2 mi
97 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
19 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 24m
★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 44m
8 PM
1h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sound Beach, NY
Sarah O'Shea
Washington Heights, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Sound Beach to Washington Heights is 60.2 miles and takes about 1h 31m via Long Island Expressway, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a fairly direct route that's mostly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for getting from Long Island into Manhattan. Plan for about an hour and a half of driving time, not including any potential traffic delays, especially as you approach your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
30.1 miles from Sound Beach, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Long Island Expressway | 28.3 mi | 38m |
| Nesconset Highway | 6.9 mi | 10m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6 mi | 7m |
| Smithtown Bypass | 4.5 mi | 7m |
| Cross Island Parkway | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Throgs Neck Bridge | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Echo Avenue | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Wheeler Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 28.3 mi, about 38m
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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Sound Beach, NY and Washington Heights, NY.
1
Start on Northport Road
92 ft
·
2 sec
·
Northport Road
2
Turn left onto New York Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
New York Avenue
3
Turn left onto Echo Avenue
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Echo Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Merge onto NY 25A
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
NY 25A
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Turn straight onto NY 347
6.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Nesconset Highway
Toward Route 347 WEST, Nesconset, Hauppauge
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on NY 347
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Smithtown Bypass
7
Take the exit
380 ft
·
16 sec
Toward Route 111, Islip, Smithtown
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto NY 111
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
Hauppauge Boulevard
9
At end of road, turn right onto NY 111; CR 76
421 ft
·
8 sec
·
Townline Road
10
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 111
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Wheeler Road
11
Turn right onto LIE North Service Road
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
LIE North Service Road
Use the right lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 495 West: New York
13
Merge onto I 495
28 mi
·
38 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 31N-S
Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 31N
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto CI
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
19
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 1D-C-B
Toward I 87: Queens, Albany, Major Deegan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 1B
Toward Amsterdam Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto Washington Bridge
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Bridge
24
Continue on West 181st Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
West 181st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn right onto Wadsworth Avenue
237 ft
·
14 sec
·
Wadsworth Avenue
26
Turn left onto West 182nd Street
277 ft
·
23 sec
·
West 182nd Street
27
Turn left onto US 9
229 ft
·
4 sec
·
Broadway
28
Arrive at destination
US 9
Trip Plan
For this shorter drive, flexibility is key. You can easily make this trip in one day. Consider leaving Sound Beach in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic heading towards the city, or depart mid-morning to bypass the initial rush hour. With only 60.2 miles, you likely won't need many stops, but it's wise to fill up your tank before you leave Long Island, as fuel costs can vary widely in the city. Keep an eye on your GPS for real-time traffic updates, especially on the Cross Bronx Expressway.
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 30.1 miles from Sound Beach, NY, or about 46m 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 30.1 miles or 46m 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 Washington Heights, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sound Beach, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Sound Beach, NY
This is one driving day of about 60.2 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Sound Beach, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.1 miles from Sound Beach, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Fred R. Harrison Service Complex
1.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.6 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 46.4 and 59.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
46.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m 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
46.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m 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
50 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m 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,...
8
59.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 87: Queens, Albany, Major Deegan Expressway
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 1D-C-B
Toward I 87: Queens, Albany, Major Deegan Expre...
9
59.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m 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
$9.78 one way
$19.57 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $10.59 | $21.18 |
| premium | $4.87 | $11.53 | $23.07 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $12.81 | $25.61 |
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: 21.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
EV Charging Along Route
19 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Popeyes - Tesla Supercharger
Centereach, NY
Tesla
12 DCFC
Islandia Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger
Islandia, NY
Tesla
10 DCFC
Smith Haven Mall - Tesla Supercharger
Lake Grove, NY
Tesla
8 DCFC
Dunkin'
Smithtown, NY
Tesla
8 DCFC
Target South Setauket #T1191
South Setauket, NY
eVgo Network
6 DCFC
Ford of Smithtown
St James, NY
RED_E
6 DCFC
Signature Properties - Hauppauge 2
Hauppauge, NY
VIALYNK
6 DCFC
Signature Properties - Hauppauge
Hauppauge, NY
VIALYNK
6 DCFC
ChargePoint Network: 6
Tesla: 4
Electrify America: 2
eVgo Network: 2
VIALYNK: 2
Blink Network: 1
Non-Networked: 1
RED_E: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.32 | $2.89 |
| Efficient EV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.27 | $2.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.1 | 0 | $8.43 | $3.85 |
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.
Origin
Sound Beach, NY
Late night in Sound Beach on Sunday
Local time
5:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Rain Showers
E 8 mph
87% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 12:24AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 8:05PM EDT until April 26 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Destination
Washington Heights, NY
Late night in Washington Heights on Sunday
Local time
5:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Rain Showers
NE 9 mph
80% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 12:24AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 8:05PM EDT until April 26 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 31m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 60.2
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 60.2
View on nps.gov
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 60.2
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument
National Monument
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 60.2
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument
National Monument
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 60.2
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 60.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 63% of the route on limited-access roads. You'll spend a significant amount of time on the Long Island Expressway, including a stretch of 28.3 miles without major interruptions. After the highway portions conclude, expect more local traffic and frequent exits as you transition into urban areas. The density of exits will likely increase noticeably as you get closer to Washington Heights.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Island Expressway and Nesconset Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 46.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 60.2 miles you will encounter 22 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 46.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sound Beach, NY and Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward Nesconset, Hauppauge, Islip, Smithtown, Kennedy Airport and Cross Island Parkway North - among others.
Nesconset
3.8 mi in
|
~7m
|
via NY 347
Hauppauge
3.8 mi in
|
~7m
|
via NY 347
Islip
15.1 mi in
|
~25m
Smithtown
15.1 mi in
|
~25m
Kennedy Airport
46.4 mi in
|
~1h 8m
Cross Island Parkway North
46.6 mi in
|
~1h 9m
Bronx
50 mi in
|
~1h 14m
New England
50 mi in
|
~1h 14m
About the Cities
Starting in Sound Beach, NY
Full guide →Arriving in Washington Heights, NY
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 60.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 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 46.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Washington Heights, NY before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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