Origin
Elmhurst, NY
Evening in Elmhurst on Wednesday
Local time
7:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elmhurst, NY to Inwood, NY
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
22m
Distance
11.4 mi
18 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 21m
★
6 AM
0h 23m
8 AM
0h 27m
10 AM
0h 24m
12 PM
0h 24m
3 PM
0h 24m
5 PM
0h 26m
8 PM
0h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elmhurst, NY
Mel Audelo
Inwood, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 11.4-mile drive from Elmhurst, NY, to Inwood, NY, is a quick 22-minute journey. With a modest fuel cost of around $2, it's an easy addition to your day. The route primarily utilizes local roads, with a 25% highway share, making it a turn-heavy experience. It's an ideal candidate for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. The entire journey stays within New York, offering a focused exploration of the local landscape without venturing into different regions. This is a straightforward trip for when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
5.7 miles from Elmhurst, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this trip, meaning you'll be navigating city streets and making frequent turns rather than cruising on long stretches of highway. Only 25% of this route is on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll experience is 3.8 miles on Harlem River Drive. This drive's character is less about open road and more about urban navigation, with the Harlem River Drive offering a brief period of more consistent travel before you transition back to more localized segments.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Harlem River Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 3.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West.
Route Complexity
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 11.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 22m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
2.1 mi into trip
|
~5m 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
5.6 mi into trip
|
~12m 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
7
5.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Manhattan, Randalls Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 46
Toward Manhattan, Randalls Island
8
6.6 mi into trip
|
~14m 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,...
7
6.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Harlem River Drive North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Harlem River Drive North
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Elmhurst, NY and Inwood, NY, road signs point toward Manhattan, Bronx, Randalls Island and Harlem River Drive North.
Manhattan
2.1 mi in
|
~5m
|
via I 278
Bronx
2.1 mi in
|
~5m
|
via I 278
Randalls Island
5.6 mi in
|
~12m
Harlem River Drive North
6.6 mi in
|
~14m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Harlem River Drive | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| Robert F. Kennedy Bridge | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Queens Boulevard | 1 mi | 3m |
| Brooklyn-Queens Expressway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Grand Central Parkway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Dyckman Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Broadway | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Harlem River Drive
— 3.8 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elmhurst, NY and Inwood, NY.
1
Start on Grand Avenue
90 ft
·
7 sec
·
Grand Avenue
2
Turn left onto NY 25
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Queens Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn slight right
216 ft
·
8 sec
4
Turn left onto Queens Boulevard
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Queens Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 278 East: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
6
Merge onto I 278
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
Toward I 278 East: Triborough Bridge, Manhattan, Bronx
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto GCP; I 278
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Central Parkway
9
Continue on I 278
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 46
Toward Manhattan, Randalls Island
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 46
Toward Manhattan, Randalls Island
12
Continue on Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
13
Keep slight right at fork
127 ft
·
3 sec
Toward Harlem River Drive North, 125th Street, 2nd Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward Harlem River Drive North
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto HRD
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Harlem River Drive
16
Turn left onto Dyckman Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dyckman Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto US 9
138 ft
·
2 sec
·
Broadway
18
Arrive at destination
US 9
Trip Plan
Given the short 22-minute duration and 11.4-mile distance, this trip offers significant flexibility. You can easily depart whenever convenient, as there's no pressing need to maximize daylight or break up a long journey. With a low estimated fuel cost of $2, budget is not a major concern. Since the longest stretch is only 3.8 miles, you won't encounter extended periods without services, but it's always wise to ensure you have a full tank before heading out. Pay close attention to local traffic patterns, especially during peak hours, as this is a heavily urbanized route.
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 5.7 miles from Elmhurst, NY, or about 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.8 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 11 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.7 miles or 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Inwood, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Elmhurst, NY.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Elmhurst, NY
This is one driving day of about 11.4 miles and 22m.
At 11.4 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Harlem River Drive for about 3.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.7 mi from Elmhurst, NY · 12m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.7 miles from Elmhurst, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Inwood, NY
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Inwood, 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
$1.88 one way
$3.75 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $2.03 | $4.06 |
| premium | $4.92 | $2.21 | $4.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.52 | $5.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.4 | 0 | $1.20 | $0.55 |
| Efficient EV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.00 | $0.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.60 | $0.73 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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.
Destination
Inwood, NY
Evening in Inwood on Wednesday
Local time
7:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°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
11 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
22m 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 Elmhurst, NY to Inwood, NY covers 11.4 miles and takes about 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Harlem River Drive, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.7 miles from Elmhurst, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.88 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 12 decision points packed into just 11.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 22m.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Elmhurst, NY and Inwood, NY, road signs point toward Manhattan, Bronx, Randalls Island and Harlem River Drive North.
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