Spanning 78.5 miles across the Northeast, this trip from Washington Heights to Brooklyn is a straightforward local excursion that typically takes about 1 hour and 49 minutes. Because the distance is relatively short, you can easily complete this drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $12 for fuel to cover the journey. While the route involves no major highway stretches, it serves as a functional connection between these two New York neighborhoods. It is an ideal option if you need to navigate within the state for personal or professional reasons. Expect a practical, no-frills experience rather than a leisure-focused tour.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.3 miles from Washington Heights, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NJ 17
22.7 mi
29m
NY 17
18.5 mi
21m
New York State Thruway
13.7 mi
15m
NJ 3
4.2 mi
4m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
Holland Tunnel
1.9 mi
4m
NY 27
1.8 mi
3m
Route 211 East
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
NJ 17
— 22.7 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington Heights, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
1
Start on this road
85 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto NY 17M
0.6 mi·57 sec·Route 17M
3
Continue on NY 17M
0.3 mi·28 sec·North Street
4
Turn left onto Wisner Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Wisner Avenue
5
Turn left onto NY 211
0.2 mi·14 sec·Wickham Avenue
6
Continue on NY 211
1.3 mi·2 min·Route 211 East
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the ramp
428 ft·11 sec
Toward NY 17 East: Goshen, New York CityUse the right lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·33 sec·this road
Exit 121WToward I 84 West: ScrantonUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto NY 17
18 mi·20 min·NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·59 sec
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York CityUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York CityUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 87
14 mi·15 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
15
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
23 mi·29 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
17
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
0.1 mi·9 sec·Tonnelle Avenue
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the left lane.
21
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
22
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
23
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
25
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
26
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
27
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
28
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
29
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
30
Take the exit onto NY 27
1.5 mi·2 min·NY 27
Exit 24Toward NY 27 East: Prospect ExpresswayUse the slight left / straight lanes.
31
Take the exit onto NY 27
0.4 mi·47 sec·NY 27
Exit 5Toward NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical CenterUse the slight right lane.
32
Turn left onto NY 27
1.2 mi·2 min·Caton Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Continue on NY 27
0.4 mi·31 sec·Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
34
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Nostrand Avenue
35
Arrive at destination
Nostrand Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact 78.5-mile journey, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, given the nature of a turn-heavy local drive, you should plan for potential traffic delays common in Northeast urban settings. You will not need to schedule any formal stops, as the duration is manageable without a break. To make the most of your time, check your navigation app immediately before you leave Washington Heights to account for real-time congestion on local roads. Keep that $12 fuel budget in mind as you prep your vehicle, and ensure your mirrors are adjusted for frequent turning throughout the trip.
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 39.3 miles from Washington Heights, NY, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.7 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 17 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.3 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brooklyn, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Washington Heights, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Washington Heights, NY
This is one driving day of about 78.6 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Washington Heights, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NJ 17 for about 22.7 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.7 and 72 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
20.7 mi into trip|~26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
9
36 mi into trip|~45m in|NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
37.3 mi into trip|~46m in|NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
67.2 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
8
72 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 2
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.94 one way
$25.88 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$13.99
$27.98
premium
$4.92
$15.23
$30.47
diesel
$5.61
$17.35
$34.71
Estimated Tolls: $16.68
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(13.7 mi)$0.68
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
$13
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 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
23.6
0
$8.25
$3.77
Efficient EV
19.7
0
$6.88
$3.14
EV Truck/SUV
31.4
0
$11.00
$5.03
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 18, 2026
Origin
Washington Heights, NY
Morning
in Washington Heights on Tuesday
Local time
9:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brooklyn, NY
Morning
in Brooklyn on Tuesday
Local time
9:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
63°F
Ramapo, NY
39 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
9 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 49m 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.
Governors Island National Monument
National Monument
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
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...
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...
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...
A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a high-speed interstate commute, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will be navigating surface streets and local infrastructure for the entire 1 hour and 49 minutes. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches, the pace of the drive remains consistent and requires frequent adjustments. You will find that the road's personality is defined by its constant turns rather than open vistas. Keeping your focus on local navigation is essential to managing the heavy density of the route successfully.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22.7 mi on NJ 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 17 and NY 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.7 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 78.6 miles you will encounter 25 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 20.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
675 ft-5 ft
Total Climb
303 ft
Total Descent
929 ft
Highest Point
675 ft
Elevation Range
680 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Washington Heights, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany, New York City, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway, Hoboken and Manhattan.
Brooklyn, the "Borough of Homes and Churches," is one of the five boroughs of New York City. It used to be a separate city, and still feels much like one. It has about 2.5 million inhabitants. If separated from the rest of New York City, Brooklyn would be the 4th most populous American city.
Brooklyn is on the westernmost point of Long Island and shares a land boundary with Queens, which partially encircles Brooklyn to the north, east and south; Manhattan lies across the East River to the west and north of Brooklyn, and Staten Island is across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the southwest.
Brooklyn is enjoying a period of growth and affluence not seen since before World War II. The Brooklyn Academy of Music boasts world-class theater performances, and the nearby Barclays Center is the home of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.
Top landmarks
•Brooklyn Bridge — bridge in New York City, crossing the East River
•Brooklyn Museum — art museum in Brooklyn, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 78.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 22.7 miles on NJ 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.68 in tolls one way, starting with Holland Tunnel. 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 Brooklyn, 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 20.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Governors Island National Monument, African Burial Ground National Monument and Castle Clinton 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 Brooklyn, NY before heading back.
