Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h
Distance
85.8 mi
138 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Hempstead, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
This 85.8-mile drive from Brookhaven, NY to New Hempstead, NY is a manageable 2-hour trip, perfectly suited for a single day. You'll primarily be on major highways, including the Long Island Expressway, Palisades Interstate Parkway, and Cross Bronx Expressway, making it a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, this route is quite budget-friendly for a day trip. Since both your origin and destination are within New York in the Northeast region, you won't encounter significant regional changes. This drive is straightforward, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.9 miles from Brookhaven, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h. Total distance: 85.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 88% of the drive utilizing major roadways. The journey includes a substantial 41.4-mile stretch on the Long Island Expressway, offering a period of consistent, faster travel. While the profile is highway-centric, the integration of routes like the Palisades Interstate Parkway might introduce varied driving conditions. This route is designed for efficient travel, minimizing time spent on slower, local roads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Island Expressway and Palisades Interstate Parkway. 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 15 significant decision points across 85.8 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Keep slight right at fork onto Palisades Interstate Parkway toward Palisades Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward CR 80: New City, New Hempstead
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 New Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England and Upper Level.
Kennedy Airport
Cross Island Parkway North
Bronx
New England
Upper Level
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Long Island Expressway | 41.4 mi | 55m |
| Palisades Interstate Parkway | 22.6 mi | 30m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Horseblock Road | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Cross Island Parkway | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Throgs Neck Bridge | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Montauk Highway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Trans-Manhattan Expressway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Brookhaven, NY and New Hempstead, 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 right at fork onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
Take the exit
Turn left onto CR 80
Turn right onto NY 45
Arrive at destination
Given the 2-hour duration, you have flexibility in planning your departure. Leaving Brookhaven, NY, early in the morning can help you avoid potential traffic on the Long Island Expressway and the Cross Bronx Expressway. Since this is a relatively short drive with no designated stops, pack any snacks or drinks you might need. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer highway stretches, as services can be spaced out. A useful tip for this route is to be aware of potential congestion around the Cross Bronx Expressway, particularly during peak commuting hours.
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.
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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.9 miles or 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Hempstead, 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 85.8 miles and 2h.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.9 mi from Brookhaven, NY · 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 42.9 miles from Brookhaven, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into New Hempstead, 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 New Hempstead, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$14.12 one way
$28.25 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $15.27 | $30.54 |
| premium | $4.92 | $16.63 | $33.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.94 | $37.89 |
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
$14
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.7 | 0 | $9.01 | $4.12 |
| Efficient EV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.51 | $3.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.3 | 0 | $12.01 | $5.49 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Brookhaven on Friday
Local time
4:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in New Hempstead on Friday
Local time
4:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
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
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.
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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