Origin
Bay Wood, NY
Afternoon in Bay Wood on Sunday
Local time
4:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bay Wood, NY to Washington Heights, NY
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
44.3 mi
71 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 13m
10 AM
1h 7m
12 PM
1h 6m
3 PM
1h 7m
5 PM
1h 13m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bay Wood, NY
Mel Audelo
Washington Heights, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Bay Wood to Washington Heights, expect a straightforward 44.3-mile trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 2 minutes. This route is designed for efficiency, relying heavily on a network of parkways and expressways to move you across the Northeast region. Given the manageable distance and duration, this is a perfect day trip that requires no overnight stays. You can budget approximately $7 for fuel to complete the journey. Because it is strictly a highway-focused drive, it works best for commuters or travelers who prioritize speed over scenic detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
22.2 miles from Bay Wood, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed, highway-focused experience, as 85% of your travel occurs on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating the Southern State Parkway, Cross Bronx Expressway, and Clearview Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 24.7-mile segment on the Southern State Parkway, which dictates the steady pace of the drive. While the route lacks technical local roads, you will experience a transition between parkway driving and the denser traffic patterns of the expressway system as you approach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southern State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 24.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 0.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 44.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 27.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward SO West: New York
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward SO West: New York
8
27.3 mi into trip
|
~36m 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
27.5 mi into trip
|
~37m 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
43.2 mi into trip
|
~59m 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
43.4 mi into trip
|
~59m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Bay Wood, NY and Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West and Grandstand.
Cross Island Parkway North
25.7 mi in
|
~34m
Hempstead Avenue West
27.4 mi in
|
~37m
Grandstand
27.6 mi in
|
~37m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern State Parkway | 24.7 mi | 31m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6 mi | 7m |
| Clearview Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| Throgs Neck Bridge | 2 mi | 3m |
| Cross Island Parkway | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Hempstead Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Howells Road | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| 212th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Southern State Parkway
— 24.7 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bay Wood, NY and Washington Heights, NY.
1
Start on Howells Road
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Howells Road
Use the left lane.
2
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward SO West: New York
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on this road
363 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
4
Merge onto SO
25 mi
·
31 min
·
Southern State Parkway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Cross Island Parkway
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
317 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 26B
Toward NY 24: UBS Arena-Belmont Park
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
437 ft
·
12 sec
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West
10
Keep slight right at fork
266 ft
·
8 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
this road
Toward Grandstand, Hempstead Avenue West
12
Keep slight left at fork
100 ft
·
4 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue
13
Turn right onto NY 24
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Hempstead Avenue
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Jamaica Avenue
15
Turn right onto NY 24
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
212th Street
16
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck Bridge
Use the none lane.
17
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
18
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 1B
Toward Amsterdam Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto Washington Bridge
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Bridge
23
Continue on West 181st Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
West 181st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn right onto Wadsworth Avenue
237 ft
·
14 sec
·
Wadsworth Avenue
25
Turn left onto West 182nd Street
277 ft
·
23 sec
·
West 182nd Street
26
Turn left onto US 9
229 ft
·
4 sec
·
Broadway
27
Arrive at destination
US 9
Trip Plan
Since the entire trip is estimated to take just over an hour with no mandatory stops required, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule. To avoid the heaviest congestion on these major arteries, try to plan your departure during off-peak hours. Keep in mind that this is a high-speed corridor, so stay alert for merging traffic when transitioning between the Southern State Parkway and the Cross Bronx Expressway. Since your fuel cost is a modest $7, you can easily top off your tank before leaving Bay Wood to avoid needing to stop for gas during the drive. Enjoy the efficiency of this direct route and focus on navigating the expressway interchanges smoothly.
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 22.2 miles from Bay Wood, NY, or about 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.7 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 44.3 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 22.2 miles or 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 52m
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 Bay Wood, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bay Wood, NY
This is one driving day of about 44.3 miles and 1h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bay Wood, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Southern State Parkway for about 24.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.2 mi from Bay Wood, NY · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 44.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.2 miles from Bay Wood, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Washington Heights, NY
The final approach into Washington Heights, NY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Washington Heights, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.21 one way
$14.42 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $7.82 | $15.63 |
| premium | $4.88 | $8.52 | $17.03 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.84 | $19.68 |
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
$7
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.65 | $2.13 |
| Efficient EV | 11.1 | 0 | $3.88 | $1.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.7 | 0 | $6.20 | $2.84 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Destination
Washington Heights, NY
Afternoon in Washington Heights on Sunday
Local time
4:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
10 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 2m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bay Wood, NY to Washington Heights, NY covers 44.3 miles and takes about 1h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southern State Parkway, Cross Bronx Expressway, Clearview Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.2 miles from Bay Wood, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.21 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 demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 44.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 27.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Bay Wood, NY and Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West and Grandstand.
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