Trip from Elma Center, NY to Brookhaven, NY

Drive Time

8h 53m

Distance

423.5 mi

682 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$69

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Elma Center, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

The drive from Elma Center, NY to Brookhaven, NY covers 423.5 miles and takes about 8h 53m 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 $68.94 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

211.8 miles from Elma Center, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 27m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 8h 53m highway drive covering 423.5 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 53 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.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

1,927 ft -5 ft

Total Climb

3,473 ft

Total Descent

4,269 ft

Highest Point

1,927 ft

~264.7 mi in

Elevation Range

1,932 ft

Notable High Points

1,649 ft at ~70.6 miles +511 ft prominence

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 241.8 miles in near US 6.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 34 significant decision points across 423.5 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 241.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 356.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 356.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 34 key points

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

241.8 mi into trip | ~5h 3m 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...

356.4 mi into trip | ~7h 19m 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...

356.7 mi into trip | ~7h 19m 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

366.1 mi into trip | ~7h 33m 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

373.9 mi into trip | ~7h 44m in

Take the exit toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 4E-W Toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island

Towns Along This Route

Between Elma Center, 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

241.8 mi in | ~5h 3m | via US 6

Milford

242.6 mi in | ~5h 4m | via I 84; I 380

New York City

356.4 mi in | ~7h 19m

Leonia

356.7 mi in | ~7h 19m

Teaneck

356.7 mi in | ~7h 19m

George Washington Bridge Upper Level

358.9 mi in | ~7h 24m

Eastern Long Island

373.9 mi in | ~7h 44m

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
Big Tree Road	10.5 mi	15m

Longest stretch: Southern Tier Expressway — 104.5 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Woodard Road

98 ft · 13 sec · Woodard Road

Turn left onto CR 242

1.7 mi · 2 min · Bowen Road

Turn right onto Jamison Road

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Jamison Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Merge onto NY 400

3.8 mi · 4 min · Aurora Expressway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward US 20A, NY 78: East Aurora

Turn left onto US 20A; NY 78

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Main Street

Continue on US 20A; NY 78

11 mi · 15 min · Big Tree Road

Continue on US 20A

11 mi · 15 min · Varysburg Road

Continue on US 20A

1.7 mi · 2 min · West Buffalo Road

Continue on US 20A

4.6 mi · 8 min · West Buffalo Street

Continue on US 20A

7.4 mi · 10 min · Perry Center Road

Continue on CR 64

2.3 mi · 3 min · Perry Road

Turn right onto NY 36

1.3 mi · 1 min · Mount Morris Road

Continue on NY 36

1.8 mi · 4 min · North Main Street

Continue on NY 36

4.1 mi · 7 min · Sonyea Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Merge onto I 390

33 mi · 37 min · Genesee Expressway

Merge onto I 86

105 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Southern Tier Expressway

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.

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.

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.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380

Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min

Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway

Use the straight / right lanes.

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.

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.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec

Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec

Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec

Toward George Washington Bridge

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec

Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 295

3.2 mi · 3 min · Clearview Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Exit 4E-W Toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 4E Toward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island

Merge onto I 495

43 mi · 59 min · Long Island Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Exit 65 Toward CR 16: Horse Block Road, Centereach, Shirley Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto Express Drive South

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Express Drive South

Toward I 495, CR 101: Yaphank, Riverhead

Turn slight right onto CR 16

4.1 mi · 6 min · Horseblock Road

Use the right lane.

At end of road, turn right onto CR 80

0.9 mi · 1 min · Montauk Highway

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto CR 36

0.4 mi · 50 sec · South Country Road

Use the left lane.

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 211.8 miles from Elma Center, NY, or about 4h 27m 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 93 miles or 2h 8m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 211.8 miles or 4h 27m 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 211.8 miles or 4h 27m

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 30m

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 Elma Center, 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 Elma Center, NY

Aim for roughly 212 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Brookhaven, NY

Aim for roughly 212 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from Elma Center, 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 211.8 mi from Elma Center, NY · 4h 27m into the drive

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Ramapo, NY

212 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

Overnight Options

Night 1

Ramapo, NY

212 mi · about 4.4h in

A practical overnight split lands near Ramapo, NY after about 212 miles or 4.4 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Bath, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 93 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Syracuse, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 211.8 miles from Elma Center, 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 212 miles or 4.4 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$68.94 one way

$137.89 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 148 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.48	$74.71	$149.43
premium	$4.88	$81.42	$162.83
diesel	$5.64	$94.09	$188.17

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

$69

Tolls

$23

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$221–$331

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 148.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	127.1	1	$44.47	$20.33
Efficient EV	105.9	1	$37.06	$16.94
EV Truck/SUV	169.4	2	$59.29	$27.10

Gas CO2

148 kg

EV CO2

50 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 20 hours ago

Origin

Elma Center, NY

Afternoon in Elma Center on Sunday

Local time

3:42 PM

EDT

Current temp

32°F

Mostly Clear

S 2 to 8 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 3:03PM EDT by NWS Upton NY

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 3:02PM EDT by NWS Upton NY

Destination

Brookhaven, NY

Afternoon in Brookhaven on Sunday

Local time

3:42 PM

EDT

Current temp

37°F

Clear then Patchy Frost

N 1 to 15 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 3:03PM EDT by NWS Upton NY

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 3:02PM EDT by NWS Upton NY

Along the Route

59°F

Ramapo, NY

212 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

5 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

8h 53m 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 Elma Center, NY to Brookhaven, NY covers 423.5 miles and takes about 8h 53m 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 212 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 211.8 miles from Elma Center, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $68.94 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.

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

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes. The route ranges from -5 ft to 1,927 ft elevation with about 3,473 ft of total climbing. There is 1 notable high point along the way.

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Return Trip

Brookhaven, NY to Elma Center, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

422.6 mi 8h 53m

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Trip from Elma Center, NY to Brookhaven, NY

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Brookhaven, NY

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Elma Center, NY

Brookhaven, NY

Same local time

5 degrees warmer at arrival

8h 53m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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