West Babylon, NY to Washington Heights, NY is 40.5 miles and takes about 58 minutes via Southern State Parkway and Cross Bronx Expressway, with a fuel budget near $7 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, connecting two points in the Northeast region. It's a relatively short drive that primarily uses major parkways and expressways, making it a straightforward option for getting between these two locations. Expect a consistent driving experience with minimal changes in scenery as you navigate urban and suburban corridors.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Southern State Parkway
19.5 mi
24m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6 mi
7m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Little East Neck Road North
1.5 mi
2m
Cross Island Parkway
1.3 mi
1m
Hempstead Avenue
1 mi
2m
212th Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Southern State Parkway
— 19.5 mi, about 24m
Traffic on I-295
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 11 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,766 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,167
Quietest
2 AM
~199 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 48 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 West Babylon, NY and Washington Heights, NY.
1
Start on Little East Neck Road North
1.5 mi·2 min·Little East Neck Road North
2
Turn left onto Hilltop Avenue
279 ft·10 sec·Hilltop Avenue
3
Turn left onto CR 2
0.5 mi·1 min·Straight Path
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward SO WestUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto SO
20 mi·24 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi·1 min·Cross Island Parkway
8
Take the exit
317 ft·9 sec
Exit 26BToward NY 24: UBS Arena-Belmont ParkUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
437 ft·12 sec
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead AvenueUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West
11
Keep slight right at fork
266 ft·8 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·13 sec·this road
Toward Grandstand, Hempstead Avenue West
13
Keep slight left at fork
100 ft·4 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue
14
Turn right onto NY 24
1.0 mi·2 min·Hempstead Avenue
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Jamaica Avenue
16
Turn right onto NY 24
0.7 mi·1 min·212th Street
17
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 295
2.0 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-BToward I 87: Queens, Albany, Major Deegan ExpresswayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 1BToward Amsterdam AvenueUse 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
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 20.3 miles from West Babylon, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 21.9 and 39.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
21.9 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone B...
8
23.5 mi into trip|~32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
8
23.7 mi into trip|~32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hempstead Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Hempstead Avenue West
8
39.4 mi into trip|~54m 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
39.6 mi into trip|~55m 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
$6.58 one way
$13.16 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg14 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$7.12
$14.25
premium
$4.87
$7.76
$15.52
diesel
$5.40
$8.62
$17.23
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.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$7
Total
$13
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
12.2
0
$4.25
$1.94
Efficient EV
10.1
0
$3.54
$1.62
EV Truck/SUV
16.2
0
$5.67
$2.59
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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 26, 2026
Origin
West Babylon, NY
Afternoon
in West Babylon on Sunday
Local time
1:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Sunny
NE 13 mph24% chanceLive 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
Afternoon
in Washington Heights on Sunday
Local time
1:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Sunny
NE 10 mph12% chanceLive 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
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
1 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
58m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 80% highway, so you'll spend most of your time on parkways and expressways. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 19.5 miles on the Southern State Parkway. You'll encounter dense traffic and frequent exits as you transition from the parkway to the Cross Bronx Expressway. Be prepared for urban merging patterns as you approach your destination.
80% 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: 19.5 mi on Southern State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern State Parkway and Cross Bronx Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 21 decision points packed into just 40.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 58m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 21.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between West Babylon, NY and Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward So West, Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West and Grandstand.
Doable as a same-day drive at 58m. Total distance: 40.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 19.5 miles on Southern State Parkway. 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 1 rest area or service plaza 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 21.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Washington Heights, NY before heading back.
