Trip from Bedford, NY to Washington Heights, NY

Drive Time

55m

Distance

36.2 mi

58 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 14 min

4 AM

0h 51m ★

6 AM

0h 56m

8 AM

1h 5m

10 AM

0h 59m

12 PM

0h 58m

3 PM

0h 59m

5 PM

1h 4m

8 PM

0h 53m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Bedford, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Washington Heights, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

The drive from Bedford, NY to Washington Heights, NY covers 36.2 miles and takes about 55m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 684, Hutchinson River Parkway, Major Deegan Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 11.5 miles on I 684. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.89 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

18.1 miles from Bedford, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 55m highway drive covering 36.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 684 and Hutchinson River Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 11.5 miles on I 684.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 684 is the longest continuous segment at about 11.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 684 and Hutchinson River Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 36.2 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 3.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.7 miles (Cross County Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

3.8 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the ramp toward I 684 South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 684 South

15.5 mi into trip | ~23m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Hutchinson River Parkway, New York City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Exit 1 Toward Hutchinson River Parkway, New York City

24.7 mi into trip | ~35m in | Cross County Parkway

Keep slight left at fork onto Cross County Parkway toward George Washington Bridge

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward George Washington Bridge

27.4 mi into trip | ~39m in | Cross County Parkway (local lanes)

Keep slight right at fork onto Cross County Parkway (local lanes) toward Exits 5 - 4N - 4S

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Exits 5 - 4N - 4S

34.3 mi into trip | ~51m in

Take the exit toward West Fordham Road, University Heights 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. Exit 9 Toward West Fordham Road, University Heights Br...

Towns Along This Route

Between Bedford, NY and Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward New York City, Exits 5 - 4N - 4S and Park Avenue South.

New York City

15.5 mi in | ~23m

Exits 5 - 4N - 4S

27.4 mi in | ~39m | via Cross County Parkway (local lanes)

Park Avenue South

28.2 mi in | ~41m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 684	11.5 mi	13m
Hutchinson River Parkway	7.7 mi	10m
Major Deegan Expressway	3.5 mi	5m
Cross County Parkway	2.7 mi	4m
South Bedford Road	1.7 mi	4m
New York State Thruway	1.6 mi	2m
Old Post Road	1 mi	1m
Cross County Parkway (local lanes)	0.8 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 684 — 11.5 mi, about 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bedford, NY and Washington Heights, NY.

Start on Court Road

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Court Road

Turn right onto Seminary Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Seminary Road

Turn right onto Pound Ridge Road

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Pound Ridge Road

Keep slight left to continue on Pound Ridge Road

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Pound Ridge Road

Turn straight onto Old Post Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Old Post Road

Turn right onto South Bedford Road

1.7 mi · 4 min · South Bedford Road

Take the ramp left toward I 684 South

0.2 mi · 30 sec · I 684 South

Merge slight left

11 mi · 13 min

Keep slight left to continue on Hutchinson River Parkway, New York City

1.5 mi · 2 min · Hutchinson River Parkway, New York City

Merge slight right onto Hutchinson River Parkway

7.7 mi · 10 min · Hutchinson River Parkway

Keep slight left to continue on Cross County Parkway

2.7 mi · 4 min · Cross County Parkway

Keep slight right to continue on Cross County Parkway (local lanes)

0.8 mi · 1 min · Cross County Parkway (local lanes)

Take the exit slight right toward Central Park Avenue South

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Central Park Avenue South

Turn straight onto Central Park Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · Central Park Avenue

Take the ramp straight toward I 87 South: New York

0.2 mi · 21 sec · I 87 South: New York

Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway

1.6 mi · 2 min · New York State Thruway

Continue on Major Deegan Expressway

3.5 mi · 5 min · Major Deegan Expressway

Take the exit slight right toward West Fordham Road, University Heights Bridge

0.1 mi · 28 sec · West Fordham Road, University Heights Bridge

Turn right onto West Fordham Road

381 ft · 15 sec · West Fordham Road

Continue on University Heights Bridge

0.1 mi · 21 sec · University Heights Bridge

Continue on West 207th Street

0.2 mi · 43 sec · West 207th Street

Turn left onto 10th Avenue

427 ft · 9 sec · 10th Avenue

Continue on Nagle Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Nagle Avenue

Turn left onto Broadway

0.7 mi · 1 min · Broadway

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

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 18.1 miles from Bedford, NY, or about 26m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.5 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 36.2 miles or 55m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 18.1 miles or 26m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 45m

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 Bedford, 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 Bedford, NY

This is one driving day of about 36.2 miles and 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bedford, 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 I 684 for about 11.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 18.1 mi from Bedford, NY · 26m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New Rochelle, NY

18 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

The Bronx, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New Rochelle, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 18.1 miles from Bedford, 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.

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 36.2

View on nps.gov

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 36.2

View on nps.gov

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 36.2

View on nps.gov

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 36.2

View on nps.gov

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 36.2

View on nps.gov

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 36.2

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$5.89 one way

$11.79 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 13 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.48	$6.39	$12.77
premium	$4.88	$6.96	$13.92
diesel	$5.64	$8.04	$16.08

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$31–$56

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 12.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	10.9	$3.80	$1.74
Efficient EV	9.1	$3.17	$1.45
EV Truck/SUV	14.5	$5.07	$2.32

Gas CO2

13 kg

EV CO2

4 kg (69% 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 data refreshed 1 hour ago

Origin

Bedford, NY

Late night in Bedford on Monday

Local time

5:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Washington Heights, NY

Late night in Washington Heights on Monday

Local time

5:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 8 mph 4% chance 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

7 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

55m 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 Bedford, NY to Washington Heights, NY covers 36.2 miles and takes about 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 684, Hutchinson River Parkway, Major Deegan 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 18.1 miles from Bedford, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.89 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.

Between Bedford, NY and Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward New York City, Exits 5 - 4N - 4S and Park Avenue South.

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Trip from Bedford, NY to Washington Heights, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Washington Heights, NY

National Parks Near This Route

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

Stonewall National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

Federal Hall National Memorial

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Bedford, NY

Washington Heights, NY

Same local time

7 degrees cooler at arrival

55m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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