Origin
Islip Terrace, NY
Evening in Islip Terrace on Sunday
Local time
5:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Islip Terrace, NY to Washington Heights, NY
Drive Time
1h 15m
Distance
54 mi
87 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 9m
★
6 AM
1h 15m
8 AM
1h 27m
10 AM
1h 19m
12 PM
1h 18m
3 PM
1h 20m
5 PM
1h 26m
8 PM
1h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Islip Terrace, NY
Mel Audelo
Washington Heights, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
Traveling from Islip Terrace to Washington Heights is a straightforward 54-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Because this route is entirely within the Northeast region, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $9 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. You will primarily navigate via the Southern State Parkway, Heckscher State Parkway, and the Cross Bronx Expressway. This highway-focused drive is efficient for those looking to reach their destination quickly, though it is best to prepare for the traffic patterns inherent to these major thoroughfares.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
27 miles from Islip Terrace, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 35m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a fast-paced experience, as 83% of this 54-mile route consists of highway driving. You will settle into a rhythm early on, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 25 miles along the Southern State Parkway. While the drive is largely a highway-focused grind, the transition from the parkways of Long Island to the dense urban environment of the Cross Bronx Expressway marks a distinct shift in the road's personality. You should remain attentive behind the wheel, as the high percentage of highway travel means you will spend the vast majority of your time at cruising speeds before navigating the transition into Washington Heights.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southern State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 25 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern State Parkway and Heckscher State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 54 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 2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the exit toward NY 27A, CR 85: Montauk Highway, Oakdale, Great River
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 46A
Toward NY 27A, CR 85: Montauk Highway, Oakdale,...
8
37 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
8
37.2 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hempstead Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Hempstead Avenue West
8
52.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 87: Queens, Albany, Major Deegan Expressway
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 1D-C-B
Toward I 87: Queens, Albany, Major Deegan Expre...
9
53.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Amsterdam Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward Amsterdam Avenue
Towns Along This Route
Between Islip Terrace, NY and Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward To Ny 27: Southern Parkway West, New York, Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West and Grandstand.
To Ny 27: Southern Parkway West
3.3 mi in
|
~5m
New York
3.3 mi in
|
~5m
Cross Island Parkway North
35.4 mi in
|
~46m
Hempstead Avenue West
37.1 mi in
|
~49m
Grandstand
37.3 mi in
|
~49m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern State Parkway | 25 mi | 31m |
| Heckscher State Parkway | 6.9 mi | 8m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6 mi | 7m |
| Clearview Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| Throgs Neck Bridge | 2 mi | 3m |
| Sunrise Highway | 2 mi | 2m |
| Cross Island Parkway | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Montauk Highway | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Southern State Parkway
— 25 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Islip Terrace, NY and Washington Heights, NY.
1
Start on NY 27
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sunrise Highway
2
Take the exit
442 ft
·
18 sec
Exit 46A
Toward NY 27A, CR 85: Montauk Highway, Oakdale, Great River
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Turn right onto NY 27A
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Montauk Highway
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward To NY 27: Southern Parkway west, New York
5
Merge onto H
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Heckscher State Parkway
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on SO
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Southern State Parkway
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
25 mi
·
31 min
·
Southern State Parkway
Use the slight left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Cross Island Parkway
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit
317 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 26B
Toward NY 24: UBS Arena-Belmont Park
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
437 ft
·
12 sec
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West
13
Keep slight right at fork
266 ft
·
8 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
this road
Toward Grandstand, Hempstead Avenue West
15
Keep slight left at fork
100 ft
·
4 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue
16
Turn right onto NY 24
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Hempstead Avenue
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Jamaica Avenue
18
Turn right onto NY 24
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
212th Street
19
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck Bridge
Use the none lane.
20
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
21
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 1D-C-B
Toward I 87: Queens, Albany, Major Deegan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 1B
Toward Amsterdam Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto Washington Bridge
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Bridge
26
Continue on West 181st Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
West 181st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn right onto Wadsworth Avenue
237 ft
·
14 sec
·
Wadsworth Avenue
28
Turn left onto West 182nd Street
277 ft
·
23 sec
·
West 182nd Street
29
Turn left onto US 9
229 ft
·
4 sec
·
Broadway
30
Arrive at destination
US 9
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1-hour and 15-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic surges. You will not need to schedule any formal stops, as the distance is short enough to drive through in one go. Keep in mind that the $9 fuel budget is an estimate, so filling up before you leave Islip Terrace will help you avoid higher prices closer to the city. Pay close attention to the Cross Bronx Expressway segment, as this final stretch is critical for your arrival time. Given the route's heavy reliance on major parkways, checking real-time traffic reports before you head out is the best way to ensure a smooth transition to your destination.
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 27 miles from Islip Terrace, NY, or about 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25 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 54 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27 miles or 35m 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 2m
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 Islip Terrace, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Islip Terrace, NY
This is one driving day of about 54 miles and 1h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Islip Terrace, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Southern State Parkway for about 25 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27 mi from Islip Terrace, NY · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27 miles from Islip Terrace, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Washington Heights, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.79 one way
$17.58 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $9.53 | $19.05 |
| premium | $4.88 | $10.38 | $20.76 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.00 | $23.99 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.55
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
$9
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.67 | $2.59 |
| Efficient EV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.73 | $2.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.56 | $3.46 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Washington Heights, NY
Evening in Washington Heights on Sunday
Local time
5:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
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
1h 15m 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 Islip Terrace, NY to Washington Heights, NY covers 54 miles and takes about 1h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southern State Parkway, Heckscher State Parkway, Cross Bronx Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27 miles from Islip Terrace, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.79 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 demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 54 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 2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Islip Terrace, NY and Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward To Ny 27: Southern Parkway West, New York, Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West and Grandstand.
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Return Trip
Washington Heights, NY to Islip Terrace, NYPlan the drive back the other way.
48.7 mi
1h 8m
Continue From Washington Heights, NY
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