This 31-mile drive from Ardsley, NY to Brooklyn, NY is a straightforward trip, estimated to take about 52 minutes. With a highway share of 74%, it's primarily a highway-focused route. Given its short distance and duration, this journey is ideal as a single-day trip with no need for an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost is around $5, making it an economical option. You'll be staying within New York for the entirety of this short hop, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 52m. Total distance: 31 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this trip, with 74% of the journey on expressways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 7.6 miles along the Saw Mill River Parkway. You'll transition from the Saw Mill River Parkway to the Major Deegan Expressway, and finally to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West, indicating a progression through different major arteries as you head south. This route is designed for efficient travel rather than scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Saw Mill River Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 7.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Saw Mill River Parkway and Major Deegan Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.4 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 17 decision points packed into just 31 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 52m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.9 miles (I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
9.4 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 87 South: Deegan Expressway, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
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.
Toward I 87 South: Deegan Expressway, Robert F....
8
16.4 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 278 West: RFK Bridge, Manhattan, Queens
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 278 West: RFK Bridge, Manhattan, Queen...
8
19.9 mi into trip|~30m in|I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, Staten Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, Staten Island
7
25.6 mi into trip|~40m in|I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway toward I 278 West: Staten Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 278 West: Staten Island
8
26.4 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the exit toward Wythe Avenue, Kent Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 31
Toward Wythe Avenue, Kent Avenue
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ardsley, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.
Manhattan
16.4 mi in|~24m
Queens
16.4 mi in|~24m
Staten Island
19.9 mi in|~30m|via I 278
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Saw Mill River Parkway
7.6 mi
10m
Major Deegan Expressway
6.8 mi
10m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
5.7 mi
9m
Washington Avenue
2.4 mi
5m
Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
2.3 mi
4m
Mosholu Parkway
0.9 mi
1m
Grand Central Parkway
0.8 mi
1m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Saw Mill River Parkway
— 7.6 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ardsley, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
1
Start on Park Avenue
88 ft·4 sec·Park Avenue
2
Turn right onto Ashford Avenue
0.4 mi·48 sec·Ashford Avenue
3
Continue on Ashford Avenue
177 ft·10 sec·Ashford Avenue
4
Take the ramp
138 ft·3 sec
5
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
7.6 mi·10 min·Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on HH
0.4 mi·32 sec·Henry Hudson Parkway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto MP
0.9 mi·1 min·Mosholu Parkway
Use the slight left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 87 South: Deegan Expressway, Robert F. Kennedy BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 87
6.8 mi·10 min·Major Deegan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward I 278 West: RFK Bridge, Manhattan, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 278
2.3 mi·4 min·Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 278; GCP
0.8 mi·1 min·Grand Central Parkway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278
5.7 mi·9 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, Staten IslandUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278
0.8 mi·1 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Toward I 278 West: Staten IslandUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 31Toward Wythe Avenue, Kent AvenueUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto Williamsburg Street West
0.3 mi·58 sec·Williamsburg Street West
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto Flushing Avenue
0.3 mi·34 sec·Flushing Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Washington Avenue
2.4 mi·5 min·Washington Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto Empire Boulevard
413 ft·18 sec·Empire Boulevard
20
Turn left onto Flatbush Avenue
0.7 mi·2 min·Flatbush Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Turn left onto NY 27
0.2 mi·12 sec·Caton Avenue
22
Continue on NY 27
0.4 mi·31 sec·Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Nostrand Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Nostrand Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.5 mi from Ardsley, NY
· 22m into the drive
The midpoint is around 15.5 miles from Ardsley, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Brooklyn, NY
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Brooklyn, NY if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.10 one way
$10.21 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg11 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$5.52
$11.04
premium
$4.92
$6.01
$12.02
diesel
$5.61
$6.84
$13.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
9.3
0
$3.25
$1.49
Efficient EV
7.8
0
$2.71
$1.24
EV Truck/SUV
12.4
0
$4.34
$1.98
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 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 14, 2026
Origin
Ardsley, NY
Afternoon
in Ardsley on Thursday
Local time
3:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 13 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 5:45PM EDT until April 14 at 6:30PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 2:52PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Destination
Brooklyn, NY
Afternoon
in Brooklyn on Thursday
Local time
3:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Sunny
SW 12 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 5:45PM EDT until April 14 at 6:30PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 2:52PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM 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
4 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
52m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ardsley, NY to Brooklyn, NY covers 31 miles and takes about 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Saw Mill River Parkway, Major Deegan Expressway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.5 miles from Ardsley, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.10 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a short but busy drive. With 17 decision points packed into just 31 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 52m.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.9 miles (I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Ardsley, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.
