The drive from East Flatbush, NY to Washington Heights, NY covers 79.8 miles and takes about 1h 52m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on NY 17, NJ 17, NJ 3 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 32 miles on NY 17.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.14 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.9 miles from East Flatbush, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 79.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 52m highway drive covering 79.8 miles, with most of the trip on NY 17 and NJ 17. The longest continuous stretch is about 32 miles on NY 17.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 47 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NY 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 32 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.8 miles you will encounter 30 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 30 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
4.9 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
8
7.2 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel...
8
8.6 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
8
19.1 mi into trip|~35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
8
56.7 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
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 16
Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
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 Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward Bronx, Manhattan, New Jersey, Jersey City and New York State Thruway North: Albany.
Bronx
4.1 mi in|~9m|via NY 27
Manhattan
4.9 mi in|~10m
New Jersey
8.6 mi in|~19m
Jersey City
10.9 mi in|~24m|via NJ 139
New York State Thruway North: Albany
42.4 mi in|~1h 5m|via NY 17
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
32 mi
36m
NJ 17
22.9 mi
28m
NJ 3
4.3 mi
5m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
Holland Tunnel
1.8 mi
3m
Route 211 East
1.6 mi
3m
Linden Boulevard
1.3 mi
3m
Prospect Expressway
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 32 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Flatbush, NY and Washington Heights, NY.
1
Start on NY 27
1.3 mi·3 min·Linden Boulevard
2
Turn slight right onto NY 27
0.4 mi·40 sec·Caton Avenue
3
Turn right onto Saint Pauls Place
0.2 mi·51 sec·Saint Pauls Place
4
At end of road, turn left onto Parkside Avenue
0.5 mi·53 sec·Parkside Avenue
5
Enter roundabout onto Fort Hamilton Parkway
266 ft·5 sec·Fort Hamilton Parkway
6
Continue on Fort Hamilton Parkway
33 ft·0 sec·Fort Hamilton Parkway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto Ocean Parkway
0.2 mi·29 sec·Ocean Parkway
Toward Prospect Avenue, Prospect Expressway North
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NY 27 West: Prospect Expressway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
9
Merge onto NY 27
1.3 mi·2 min·Prospect Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 27
0.4 mi·46 sec·NY 27
Toward I 278 East: Queens, Bronx
11
Merge onto I 278
0.4 mi·39 sec·Gowanus Expressway
12
Keep slight left at fork
2.3 mi·4 min
Exit 25Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, ManhattanUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
230 ft·10 sec
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington BridgeUse the right lane.
14
At end of road, turn right onto NY 9A
1.1 mi·3 min·West Street
Use the right lane.
15
Turn right onto Vestry Street
0.2 mi·47 sec·Vestry Street
16
Turn left onto Hudson Street
374 ft·18 sec·Hudson Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Take the exit
406 ft·14 sec
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New JerseyUse the straight / left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 78
1.8 mi·3 min·Holland Tunnel
19
Continue on I 78
0.4 mi·1 min·14th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139
0.3 mi·24 sec·14th Street Viaduct
Toward NJ 139 West: Pulaski Skyway, Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City
21
Continue on NJ 139
0.8 mi·1 min·NJ 139 Lower Level
22
Continue on NJ 139
406 ft·7 sec·Pulaski Skyway
23
Take the exit
420 ft·14 sec
Toward US 1-9 North: SecaususUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
2.6 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto NJ 3
4.3 mi·5 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: RutherfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: RutherfordUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·3 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on NJ 17
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on NJ 17
4.1 mi·5 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
33
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
34
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
35
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
14 mi·16 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
36
Take the exit
1.5 mi·3 min
Exit 16Toward US 6, NY 17: HarrimanUse the slight right lane.
37
Continue on this road
152 ft·3 sec·this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward NY 17 West: BinghamtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on NY 17
18 mi·20 min·NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 120Toward NY 211: Middletown, Montgomery
41
Turn left onto NY 211
1.6 mi·3 min·Route 211 East
Use the left / straight lanes.
42
Continue on NY 211
0.2 mi·17 sec·Wickham Avenue
43
Turn right onto Wisner Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Wisner Avenue
Use the right lane.
44
Turn right onto NY 17M
0.3 mi·25 sec·North Street
45
Continue on NY 17M
0.6 mi·1 min·Route 17M
46
Turn left
85 ft·6 sec
47
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 39.9 miles from East Flatbush, NY, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32 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 18 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.9 miles or 1h 1m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington Heights, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving East Flatbush, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from East Flatbush, NY
This is one driving day of about 79.8 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from East Flatbush, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NY 17 for about 32 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.9 mi from East Flatbush, NY
· 1h 1m into the drive
The midpoint is around 39.9 miles from East Flatbush, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Washington Heights, NY
The final approach into Washington Heights, NY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
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.
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...
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
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...
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
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...
A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.14 one way
$26.27 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$14.20
$28.41
premium
$4.92
$15.47
$30.93
diesel
$5.61
$17.62
$35.24
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
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
$13
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.9
0
$8.38
$3.83
Efficient EV
20
0
$6.98
$3.19
EV Truck/SUV
31.9
0
$11.17
$5.11
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
East Flatbush, NY
Night
in East Flatbush on Thursday
Local time
10:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Washington Heights, NY
Night
in Washington Heights on Thursday
Local time
10:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
40 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 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
1h 52m 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 East Flatbush, NY to Washington Heights, NY covers 79.8 miles and takes about 1h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NY 17, NJ 17, NJ 3. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.9 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 $13.14 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.8 miles you will encounter 30 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between East Flatbush, NY and Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward Bronx, Manhattan, New Jersey, Jersey City and New York State Thruway North: Albany.
Yes. Nearby national parks include African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
