Origin
Brookhaven, NY
Evening in Brookhaven on Sunday
Local time
5:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brookhaven, NY to Centereach, NY
Drive Time
21m
Distance
14.1 mi
23 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 20m
★
6 AM
0h 22m
8 AM
0h 25m
10 AM
0h 23m
12 PM
0h 22m
3 PM
0h 23m
5 PM
0h 25m
8 PM
0h 20m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Centereach, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
If you are traveling between Brookhaven and Centereach, you can expect a quick, 14.1-mile journey that typically takes about 21 minutes. This short trip is easily managed as a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stops. With a modest fuel cost of approximately $2, it is an efficient commute within the Northeast region. Because the total distance is so brief, you have total flexibility in your schedule without needing to worry about complex planning or rest breaks. It is a straightforward, practical drive that gets you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
7.1 miles from Brookhaven, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate the 14.1-mile path between these two Long Island communities. You will spend roughly 23% of your time on the highway, transitioning between local roads and the Long Island Expressway. The drive features a mix of environments, with the longest uninterrupted stretch occurring over 4.2 miles on Horseblock Road. You should be prepared for frequent turns and shifting road types rather than a monotonous interstate haul. This route requires your full attention as you move from local thoroughfares onto the expressway and eventually onto Nicolls Road.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Horseblock Road is the longest continuous segment at about 4.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 miles in near Express Drive North.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 14.1 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 5.5 miles (Express Drive North): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles (I 495 / Long Island Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
5.5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
Express Drive North
Turn left onto Express Drive North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
5.9 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 495 / Long Island Expressway
Merge onto I 495 / Long Island Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
9.1 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward CR 97: Blue Point, Stony Brook, Nicolls Road
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 62
Toward CR 97: Blue Point, Stony Brook, Nicolls...
5
9.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
CR 97 / Nicolls Road
Merge onto CR 97 / Nicolls Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
9
12.4 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 25 west: Riverhead, Smithtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward NY 25 west: Riverhead, Smithtown
Towns Along This Route
Between Brookhaven, NY and Centereach, NY, road signs point toward Cr 97: Blue Point, Stony Brook, Cr 97 North: Stony Brook and Smithtown.
Cr 97: Blue Point
9.1 mi in
|
~13m
Stony Brook
9.1 mi in
|
~13m
Cr 97 North: Stony Brook
9.4 mi in
|
~14m
Smithtown
12.2 mi in
|
~18m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Horseblock Road | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Long Island Expressway | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Nicolls Road | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Middle Country Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Montauk Highway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Country Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Express Drive North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Horseblock Road
— 4.2 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brookhaven, NY and Centereach, NY.
1
Start on CR 36
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
South Country Road
2
Continue on South Country Road
354 ft
·
16 sec
·
South Country Road
3
Turn straight onto CR 80
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Montauk Highway
Use the none lane.
4
Turn left onto CR 16
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Horseblock Road
Use the left / none lanes.
5
Turn left onto Express Drive North
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Express Drive North
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 495 WEST: New York
7
Merge onto I 495
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 62
Toward CR 97: Blue Point, Stony Brook, Nicolls Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto Express Drive North
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Express Drive North
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward CR 97 North: Stony Brook
11
Merge onto CR 97
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Nicolls Road
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward NY 25: Riverhead, Smithtown
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward NY 25 west: Riverhead, Smithtown
Use the left lane.
14
Turn slight left onto NY 25
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Middle Country Road
Use the straight lane.
15
Arrive at destination
NY 25
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 21-minute trip, you don't need to worry about pacing or mandatory rest stops. Aim to check local traffic conditions on the Long Island Expressway before you head out, as even short stretches can see congestion. Because the fuel cost is only $2, you can easily top off your tank at either end of the trip without budgeting for expensive mid-route refueling. Make sure to stay alert for the transition onto Nicolls Road, as the turn-heavy nature of the route means you will be navigating several junctions in a very short span. Enjoy the flexibility that such a short drive provides for your daily schedule.
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 7.1 miles from Brookhaven, NY, or about 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 4.2 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 14.1 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.1 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Centereach, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brookhaven, 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 Brookhaven, NY
This is one driving day of about 14.1 miles and 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brookhaven, 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 Horseblock Road for about 4.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.1 mi from Brookhaven, NY · 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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 14.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 7.1 miles from Brookhaven, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Centereach, NY
The final approach into Centereach, 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 Centereach, 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
$2.30 one way
$4.59 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $2.49 | $4.97 |
| premium | $4.88 | $2.71 | $5.42 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.13 | $6.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.2 | 0 | $1.48 | $0.68 |
| Efficient EV | 3.5 | 0 | $1.23 | $0.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.97 | $0.90 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Centereach, NY
Evening in Centereach on Sunday
Local time
5:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°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
16 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
21m 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 Brookhaven, NY to Centereach, NY covers 14.1 miles and takes about 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Horseblock Road, Long Island Expressway, Nicolls Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.1 miles from Brookhaven, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.30 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 11 significant decision points across 14.1 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 5.5 miles (Express Drive North): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles (I 495 / Long Island Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Brookhaven, NY and Centereach, NY, road signs point toward Cr 97: Blue Point, Stony Brook, Cr 97 North: Stony Brook and Smithtown.
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