Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 16m
Distance
251.3 mi
404 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
23 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Edward, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Brookhaven, NY to Fort Edward, NY is 251.3 miles and takes about 5h 16m via NY 17, Long Island Expressway, and Adirondack Northway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-New York drive keeps you within the Empire State, transitioning from Long Island's eastern reach to the more northern interior. It's a practical, one-day trip designed for efficient travel rather than leisurely sightseeing. Plan for a straightforward journey with minimal fuss, making it a solid choice when you need to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
125.6 miles from Brookhaven, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 111.7 mi | 2h 8m |
| Long Island Expressway | 41.4 mi | 55m |
| Adirondack Northway | 33.9 mi | 39m |
| NJ 17 | 14.7 mi | 18m |
| I 787 | 9 mi | 12m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Reynolds Road | 4.4 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between Brookhaven, NY and Fort Edward, NY.
Start on CR 36
Continue on South Country Road
Turn straight onto CR 80
Turn left onto CR 16
Turn left onto Express Drive North
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto CI
Take the exit
Merge onto I 295
Continue on I 295
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 4
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on I 287; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
Take the exit
Continue on I 787
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 787
Take the exit
Merge onto NY 7
Take the exit
Merge onto I 87
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 9
Continue on US 9
Turn right onto NY 197
Continue on NY 197
At end of road, turn right onto US 4; NY 197
Arrive at destination
Given the 5h 16m duration, starting your drive in Brookhaven, NY, in the morning will allow you to reach Fort Edward, NY, well before evening. With only one stop recommended, you can plan your break strategically along the 111.7-mile stretch of NY 17. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $41; knowing the longest stretch helps you gauge when to refuel before hitting that segment. This is a manageable one-day drive, so you have flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 55 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.6 miles or 2h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Edward, NY than in the middle of the route.
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 251.3 miles and 5h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
126 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.
A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 125.6 miles from Brookhaven, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 47.3 and 63.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$41.37 one way
$82.73 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $44.73 | $89.46 |
| premium | $4.92 | $48.71 | $97.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.48 | $110.97 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.55
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
$41
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
23 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
South Port Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger
Shirley, NY
12 DCFC
Popeyes - Tesla Supercharger
Centereach, NY
12 DCFC
Islandia Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger
Islandia, NY
10 DCFC
Smith Haven Mall - Tesla Supercharger
Lake Grove, NY
8 DCFC
Dunkin'
Smithtown, NY
8 DCFC
800 Montauk Hwy
Shirley, NY
6 DCFC
Target South Setauket #T1191
South Setauket, NY
6 DCFC
Ford of Smithtown
St James, NY
6 DCFC
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.4 | 0 | $26.39 | $12.06 |
| Efficient EV | 62.8 | 0 | $21.99 | $10.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.5 | 1 | $35.18 | $16.08 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Brookhaven on Saturday
Local time
1:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Patchy Fog
Destination
Afternoon in Fort Edward on Saturday
Local time
1:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
49°F
Ramapo, NY
126 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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This route leans heavily into highway driving, with 80% of the journey on major roads. You'll experience a highway-focused profile for the most part, designed for steady progress. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 111.7 miles on NY 17, so be prepared for a significant period of consistent driving. While primarily highway, the transition through different New York landscapes offers a varied, though not necessarily scenic, driving experience. Expect efficient travel with opportunities for quick stops.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and Long Island Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 47.3 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 251.3 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 47.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brookhaven, NY and Fort Edward, NY, road signs point toward Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Upper Level and Njtp South: Hackensack - among others.
Kennedy Airport
Cross Island Parkway North
Bronx
New England
Upper Level
Njtp South: Hackensack
Gsp South
Gsp North
Newark
Mahwah
New York State Thruway North: Albany
Troy
Founded 1655
Brookhaven is the largest town in Suffolk County, part of Long Island, New York. With 485,000 residents (2020). It includes a patchwork of villages and other communities, and is the only town on the island to touch both the Long Island Sound and Atlantic Ocean. The villages of Belle Terre, Bellport, Lake Grove, Mastic Beach, Old Field, Patchogue, Poquott, Port Jefferson, and Shoreham are semi-autonomous, and provide their own services in addition to those provided by the town. Other prominent communities include Mount Sinai, Stony Brook, and Fire Island, a long and car-free resort island off the south coast of the town.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 16m. Total distance: 251.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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