East Flatbush, NY to Tappan, NY is 33.5 miles and takes about 59 minutes via Palisades Interstate Parkway, Harlem River Drive, and Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, with a fuel budget near $6 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, moving between New York State. You'll experience a mixed drive, offering a blend of highway speeds and potentially some city navigation. Given its short duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing for a relaxed pace and flexibility in your schedule.
Doable as a same-day drive at 59m. Total distance: 33.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (56%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This 33.5-mile journey features a 56% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster-paced roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 13.8 miles on the Palisades Interstate Parkway, offering a sustained period of driving. The route is described as a mixed drive, suggesting a transition from potentially busier city arteries like Harlem River Drive and crossing the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge to the more open Palisades Interstate Parkway. Expect a varied driving experience as you navigate different road types.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 43 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Palisades Interstate Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 13.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.8 miles in near I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West.
Driving Effort10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 28 decision points packed into just 33.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 59m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.8 miles (I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 28 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
8.8 mi into trip|~20m in|I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West toward I 278 East: Triborough Bridge, Manhattan, Bronx
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 278 East: Triborough Bridge, Manhattan...
8
12.2 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward Manhattan, Randalls Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward Manhattan, Randalls Island
8
13.3 mi into trip|~29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Harlem River Drive North, 125th Street, 2nd Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Harlem River Drive North, 125th Street,...
8
16 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, US 1 South: George Washington Bridge, Amsterdam Avenue, West 179 Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 24
Toward I 95 South, US 1 South: George Washingto...
9
16.6 mi into trip|~35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, US 1 South: George Washington Bridge (Upper Level)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 South, US 1 South: George Washingto...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Flatbush, NY and Tappan, NY, road signs point toward Manhattan, Bronx, Randalls Island and Harlem River Drive North.
Manhattan
8.8 mi in|~20m|via I 278
Bronx
8.8 mi in|~20m|via I 278
Randalls Island
12.2 mi in|~27m
Harlem River Drive North
13.3 mi in|~29m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Palisades Interstate Parkway
13.8 mi
19m
Harlem River Drive
2.3 mi
3m
Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
1.9 mi
3m
Fresh Pond Road
1.5 mi
3m
Kings Highway
1.1 mi
2m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
1.1 mi
2m
69th Street
1 mi
2m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Palisades Interstate Parkway
— 13.8 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Flatbush, NY and Tappan, NY.
1
Start on NY 27
0.5 mi·49 sec·Linden Boulevard
2
Turn right onto Remsen Avenue
181 ft·5 sec·Remsen Avenue
3
Turn right
354 ft·31 sec
4
Turn left onto Remsen Avenue
196 ft·4 sec·Remsen Avenue
5
Turn right onto Kings Highway
0.5 mi·1 min·Kings Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on Tapscott Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·Tapscott Street
7
Continue on Howard Avenue
0.3 mi·34 sec·Howard Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Turn right onto Eastern Parkway
0.5 mi·59 sec·Eastern Parkway
Use the right lane.
9
Turn left onto Rockaway Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Rockaway Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Continue on Cooper Street
0.8 mi·2 min·Cooper Street
11
Continue on Cooper Avenue
0.4 mi·47 sec·Cooper Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Continue on Cooper Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cooper Avenue
13
Turn slight left onto 62nd Street
0.2 mi·1 min·62nd Street
14
At end of road, turn left onto Myrtle Avenue
335 ft·11 sec·Myrtle Avenue
15
Turn right onto Fresh Pond Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Fresh Pond Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
At end of road, turn right onto Flushing Avenue
0.2 mi·17 sec·Flushing Avenue
17
Turn straight onto Grand Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Grand Avenue
18
Turn left onto 69th Street
1.0 mi·2 min·69th Street
19
Turn left onto Queens Boulevard
285 ft·9 sec·Queens Boulevard
20
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 278 East: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
21
Merge onto I 278
0.9 mi·1 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278
1.1 mi·2 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
Toward I 278 East: Triborough Bridge, Manhattan, BronxUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto GCP; I 278
0.7 mi·1 min·Grand Central Parkway
24
Continue on I 278
1.6 mi·2 min·Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 46Toward Manhattan, Randalls IslandUse the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 46Toward Manhattan, Randalls Island
27
Continue on Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
0.4 mi·41 sec·Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
28
Keep slight right at fork
127 ft·3 sec
Toward Harlem River Drive North, 125th Street, 2nd AvenueUse the slight right lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward Harlem River Drive NorthUse the slight right lane.
30
Merge onto HRD
2.3 mi·3 min·Harlem River Drive
31
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 24Toward I 95 South, US 1 South: George Washington Bridge, Amsterdam Avenue, West 179 StreetUse the slight left lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 South: George Washington BridgeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward I 95 South, US 1 South: George Washington Bridge (Upper Level)Use the slight left lane.
34
Merge onto I 95; US 1
0.4 mi·42 sec·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
35
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
36
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
37
Keep slight right at fork onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
14 mi·19 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Exit 74Toward Palisades ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 5SToward NY 303 South: TappanUse the right lane.
39
Turn straight onto NY 303
0.5 mi·47 sec·NY 303
40
Turn right onto Kings Highway
0.6 mi·1 min·Kings Highway
41
Continue on Kings Highway
265 ft·8 sec·Kings Highway
42
Turn left onto CR 8
118 ft·2 sec·Washington Street
43
Arrive at destination
CR 8
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.7 mi from East Flatbush, NY
· 35m into the drive
The midpoint is around 16.7 miles from East Flatbush, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tappan, NY
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Tappan, NY if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.51 one way
$11.03 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg12 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$5.96
$11.93
premium
$4.92
$6.49
$12.99
diesel
$5.61
$7.40
$14.79
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Tolls
$16
Total
$22
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
10
0
$3.52
$1.61
Efficient EV
8.4
0
$2.93
$1.34
EV Truck/SUV
13.4
0
$4.69
$2.14
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
East Flatbush, NY
Morning
in East Flatbush on Saturday
Local time
11:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
E 5 to 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
Destination
Tappan, NY
Morning
in Tappan on Saturday
Local time
11:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
17 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
59m 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 East Flatbush, NY to Tappan, NY covers 33.5 miles and takes about 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Palisades Interstate Parkway, Harlem River Drive, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16.7 miles from East Flatbush, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.51 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 short but busy drive. With 28 decision points packed into just 33.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 59m.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.8 miles (I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between East Flatbush, NY and Tappan, NY, road signs point toward Manhattan, Bronx, Randalls Island and Harlem River Drive North.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and African Burial Ground National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
