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Trip from Cheektowaga, NY to Brookhaven, NY

Drive Time

9h 6m

Distance

432.5 mi

696 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$70

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
8h 58m ★
6 AM
9h 7m
8 AM
9h 23m
10 AM
9h 12m
12 PM
9h 11m
3 PM
9h 13m
5 PM
9h 22m
8 PM
9h 2m

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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Downtown Cheektowaga, NY, NY

Cheektowaga, NY

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

The drive from Cheektowaga, NY to Brookhaven, NY covers 432.5 miles and takes about 9h 6m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, I 81 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 104.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $70.41 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

216.3 miles from Cheektowaga, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 35m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 9h 6m highway drive covering 432.5 miles, with most of the trip on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. The longest continuous stretch is about 104.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 55 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southern Tier Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 104.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 36 significant decision points across 432.5 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 4.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 250.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 365.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 36 key points

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

8
4.3 mi into trip | ~8m in

Keep slight right at fork toward NY 400 South: East Aurora

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward NY 400 South: East Aurora
9
250.8 mi into trip | ~5h 16m in | US 6

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
365.4 mi into trip | ~7h 32m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
365.7 mi into trip | ~7h 32m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
375.1 mi into trip | ~7h 46m in | I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 6B Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge

Towns Along This Route

Between Cheektowaga, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level - among others.

Mt Pocono

250.8 mi in | ~5h 16m | via US 6

Milford

251.6 mi in | ~5h 17m | via I 84; I 380

New York City

365.4 mi in | ~7h 32m

Leonia

365.7 mi in | ~7h 32m

Teaneck

365.7 mi in | ~7h 32m

George Washington Bridge Upper Level

367.9 mi in | ~7h 36m

Eastern Long Island

382.9 mi in | ~7h 57m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Southern Tier Expressway 104.5 mi 2h 2m
Keystone Shortway 80 mi 1h 37m
I 81 53.4 mi 1h 3m
Long Island Expressway 43.5 mi 59m
Genesee Expressway 32.6 mi 37m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
Varysburg Road 10.9 mi 15m
Aurora Expressway 10.7 mi 12m
Longest stretch: Southern Tier Expressway — 104.5 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cheektowaga, NY and Brookhaven, NY.

1

Start on this road

49 ft · 5 sec · this road
2

Turn right

66 ft · 9 sec
3

Take the ramp

425 ft · 12 sec
4

Turn right onto NY 277

4.2 mi · 8 min · Union Road
Use the straight lane.
5

Take the ramp

264 ft · 6 sec
Toward NY 400
6

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward NY 400 South: East Aurora Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto NY 400

11 mi · 12 min · Aurora Expressway
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward US 20A, NY 78: East Aurora
9

Turn left onto US 20A; NY 78

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Main Street
10

Continue on US 20A; NY 78

11 mi · 15 min · Big Tree Road
11

Continue on US 20A

11 mi · 15 min · Varysburg Road
12

Continue on US 20A

1.7 mi · 2 min · West Buffalo Road
13

Continue on US 20A

4.6 mi · 8 min · West Buffalo Street
14

Continue on US 20A

7.4 mi · 10 min · Perry Center Road
15

Continue on CR 64

2.3 mi · 3 min · Perry Road
16

Turn right onto NY 36

1.3 mi · 1 min · Mount Morris Road
17

Continue on NY 36

1.8 mi · 4 min · North Main Street
18

Continue on NY 36

4.1 mi · 7 min · Sonyea Road
19

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
20

Merge onto I 390

33 mi · 37 min · Genesee Expressway
21

Merge onto I 86

105 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Southern Tier Expressway
22

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.
23

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 6
Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
24

Continue on I 84; I 380

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford Use the straight lane.
25

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
26

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
27

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
28

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 5 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level Use the slight right lane.
29

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.
31

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue
33

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
34

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
35

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
36

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
38

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
40

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
42

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43

Keep slight right at fork onto I 295

2.0 mi · 2 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6B Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
44

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
45

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46

Continue on I 295

3.2 mi · 3 min · Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 4E-W Toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 4E Toward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
49

Merge onto I 495

43 mi · 59 min · Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 65 Toward CR 16: Horse Block Road, Centereach, Shirley Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51

Turn straight onto Express Drive South

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Express Drive South
Toward I 495, CR 101: Yaphank, Riverhead
52

Turn slight right onto CR 16

4.1 mi · 6 min · Horseblock Road
Use the right lane.
53

At end of road, turn right onto CR 80

0.9 mi · 1 min · Montauk Highway
Use the right lane.
54

Turn left onto CR 36

0.4 mi · 50 sec · South Country Road
Use the left lane.
55

Arrive at destination

CR 36

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 216.3 miles from Cheektowaga, NY, or about 4h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 95 miles or 2h 12m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 216.3 miles or 4h 35m in

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

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 216.3 miles or 4h 35m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brookhaven, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Cheektowaga, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

+

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Cheektowaga, NY

Aim for roughly 216 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Brookhaven, NY

Aim for roughly 216 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 95 miles from Cheektowaga, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Southern Tier Expressway for about 104.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 216.3 mi from Cheektowaga, NY · 4h 35m into the drive

Downtown Ramapo, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Ramapo, NY

216 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Ramapo, NY

Popular next leg

Ramapo, NY to Brookhaven, NY

96.3 mi · 1h 52m

Overnight Options

Night 1

Ramapo, NY

216 mi · about 4.6h in

A practical overnight split lands near Ramapo, NY after about 216 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Bath, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 95 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Syracuse, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 216.3 miles from Cheektowaga, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.5 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 216 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.

Arriving in Brookhaven, NY

The final approach into Brookhaven, 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 Brookhaven, NY.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Brookhaven, NY with some flexibility left in the schedule.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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.

General Grant National Memorial

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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 372.9
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
View on nps.gov
Hamilton Grange National Memorial

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...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 372.9
View on nps.gov
Fire Island National Seashore

Fire Island National Seashore

National Seashore

Immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife, Fire Island has been a special...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 432.5
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

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...

10 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 372.9
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 372.9
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

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 ~28 min detour Free near mile 372.9
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$70.41 one way

$140.82 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 151 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $76.30 $152.60
premium $4.88 $83.15 $166.29
diesel $5.64 $96.09 $192.17

Estimated Tolls: $22.55

George Washington Bridge $16.00
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

$70

Tolls

$23

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$223–$333

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 151.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 129.8 1 $45.41 $20.76
Efficient EV 108.1 1 $37.84 $17.30
EV Truck/SUV 173 2 $60.55 $27.68

Gas CO2

151 kg

EV CO2

51 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 3 days ago

Origin

Cheektowaga, NY

Morning in Cheektowaga on Monday

Local time

10:26 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brookhaven, NY

Morning in Brookhaven on Monday

Local time

10:26 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

59°F

Ramapo, NY

216 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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

1 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

9h 6m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Cheektowaga, NY to Brookhaven, NY covers 432.5 miles and takes about 9h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, I 81. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 216 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 216.3 miles from Cheektowaga, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $70.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 36 significant decision points across 432.5 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 4.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 250.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 365.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Cheektowaga, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level - among others.

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Return Trip

Brookhaven, NY to Cheektowaga, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

433 mi 9h 8m

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