This 74.6-mile drive from Wading River, NY, to Yonkers, NY, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 50 minutes. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $12, it's an economical option for a single-day trip. The route primarily utilizes the Long Island Expressway and the Cross Bronx Expressway, making it a practical choice for those looking to traverse between these two points efficiently within the Northeast region. Given its relatively short duration and highway nature, this drive is well-suited for a single day without the need for an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.3 miles from Wading River, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
45.8 mi
1h 1m
William Floyd Parkway
7.1 mi
10m
Cross Bronx Expressway
3.2 mi
4m
Cross Island Parkway
3.1 mi
4m
Bronx River Parkway
2.7 mi
4m
Broadway
2.1 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Bridge
1.8 mi
3m
Route 25A
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 45.8 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wading River, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on North Country Road
32 ft·8 sec·North Country Road
2
Turn sharp left onto Wading River Manor Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Wading River Manor Road
3
Turn right onto NY 25A
0.3 mi·29 sec·NY-25A
4
Continue on NY 25A
1.6 mi·2 min·Route 25A
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Toward CR 46 south: Smith Point ParkUse the left lane.
6
Continue on CR 46
7.1 mi·10 min·William Floyd Parkway
7
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 495 West: New YorkUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 495
46 mi·1 hr 1 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 31N-SToward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 31NToward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto CI
3.1 mi·4 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 33Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New EnglandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
14
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
3.2 mi·4 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 4BToward Rosedale AvenueUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on Cross Bronx Expressway Service Road
0.1 mi·27 sec·Cross Bronx Expressway Service Road
18
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Bronx River Parkway North, White Plains
19
Merge onto BR
2.7 mi·4 min·Bronx River Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·25 sec
Exit 9Toward Gun Hill RoadUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto East Gun Hill Road
1.0 mi·2 min·East Gun Hill Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Take the ramp
328 ft·8 sec
Toward Henry Hudson Parkway, Saw Mill Parkway
23
Merge onto MP
1.3 mi·2 min·Mosholu Parkway
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NY 9A South: Manhattan, Henry Hudson Parkway SouthUse the slight right lane.
25
Merge onto HH
0.2 mi·14 sec·Henry Hudson Parkway
Toward Henry Hudson Parkway South
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 23Toward US 9, NY 9A North: BroadwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork
393 ft·12 sec
Toward US 9 North, NY 9A North: Van Cortlandt ParkUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto US 9; NY 9A
2.1 mi·3 min·Broadway
29
Arrive at destination
US 9; NY 9A
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 50-minute drive, consider departing mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour on both ends of your journey. Since there are no recommended stops and the longest stretch is manageable, you can easily complete this trip in one go. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the $12 estimated cost covers the entire 74.6 miles. A practical tip: pay close attention to signage as you transition from the Long Island Expressway to the Cross Bronx Expressway, as this can be a busy interchange and requires focus to stay on the correct path.
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 37.3 miles from Wading River, NY, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.8 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.3 miles or 52m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yonkers, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wading River, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wading River, NY
This is one driving day of about 74.6 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Wading River, 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 45.8 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 56.2 and 72.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
56.2 mi into trip|~1h 18m 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
56.4 mi into trip|~1h 18m 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
59.8 mi into trip|~1h 23m 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
72.3 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Take the exit toward US 9, NY 9A North: Broadway
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 23
Toward US 9, NY 9A North: Broadway
9
72.5 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 9 North, NY 9A North: Van Cortlandt Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 9 North, NY 9A North: Van Cortlandt P...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.28 one way
$24.56 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$13.28
$26.56
premium
$4.92
$14.46
$28.92
diesel
$5.61
$16.47
$32.94
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: 26.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.4
0
$7.83
$3.58
Efficient EV
18.7
0
$6.53
$2.98
EV Truck/SUV
29.8
0
$10.44
$4.77
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 16, 2026
Origin
Wading River, NY
Late night
in Wading River on Tuesday
Local time
4:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Late night
in Yonkers on Tuesday
Local time
4:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 6 to 12 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
42°F
Hillside, NY
37 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
47 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 50m 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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 66.9
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 66.9
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 15.4
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 66.9
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 66.9
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 66.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect an 88% highway-focused experience on this trip. The majority of your time will be spent on major expressways, including a substantial 45.8-mile stretch on the Long Island Expressway. This means a consistent pace with fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops. The drive is characterized by its efficiency, moving you quickly from point A to point B. While primarily highway, be prepared for the urban transition as you approach Yonkers, which may bring increased traffic and a change in the driving environment.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.8 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 William Floyd Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 56.2 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 74.6 miles you will encounter 23 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 56.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.8 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.
Between Wading River, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Bronx River Parkway North and White Plains.
Yonkers is a city of 211,569 people (2020) in Westchester County. The third most populous city in New York state, Yonkers is a suburb of New York City and borders the Borough of the Bronx. Yonkers is known as the "City of Seven Hills," which are Park, Nodine, Ridge, Cross, Locust, Glen, and Church hills.
Top landmarks
•Untermyer Park — public garden
•Hudson River Museum — museum in Yonkers, N.Y.
•Glenview Mansion — historic house in New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 74.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m 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 45.8 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 Yonkers, 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 56.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Yonkers, NY before heading back.
