Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Ithaca, NY to Brookhaven, NY

Drive Time

6h 1m

Distance

287.1 mi

462 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
5h 49m ★
6 AM
6h 2m
8 AM
6h 27m
10 AM
6h 11m
12 PM
6h 8m
3 PM
6h 12m
5 PM
6h 26m
8 PM
5h 54m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Ithaca, NY, NY

Ithaca, NY

Beth Fitzpatrick

Trip Overview

The drive from Ithaca, NY to Brookhaven, NY covers 287.1 miles and takes about 6h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Keystone Shortway, I 81, Long Island Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80 miles on Keystone Shortway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.74 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

143.6 miles from Ithaca, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Ithaca, NY to Brookhaven, NY covers 287.1 miles and takes about 6h 1m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 45 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Keystone Shortway is the longest continuous segment at about 80 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 105.5 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 32 significant decision points across 287.1 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 105.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 220 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 220.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 32 key points

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

9
105.5 mi into trip | ~2h 11m 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...
8
220 mi into trip | ~4h 27m 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...
9
220.3 mi into trip | ~4h 27m 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
8
229.7 mi into trip | ~4h 41m 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
8
237.5 mi into trip | ~4h 52m 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 Ithaca, 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

105.5 mi in | ~2h 11m | via US 6

Milford

106.2 mi in | ~2h 12m | via I 84; I 380

New York City

220 mi in | ~4h 27m

Leonia

220.3 mi in | ~4h 27m

Teaneck

220.3 mi in | ~4h 27m

George Washington Bridge Upper Level

222.5 mi in | ~4h 31m

Eastern Long Island

237.5 mi in | ~4h 52m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 80 mi 1h 37m
I 81 73.5 mi 1h 28m
Long Island Expressway 43.5 mi 59m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
State Highway 79 15.2 mi 17m
Slaterville Road 11.1 mi 16m
Cross Bronx Expressway 6.6 mi 8m
Christopher Columbus Highway 5.5 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 80 mi, about 1h 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on NY 79

64 ft · 6 sec · East Seneca Street
2

Turn right onto North Tioga Street

325 ft · 15 sec · North Tioga Street
3

Turn right onto East Buffalo Street

0.2 mi · 38 sec · East Buffalo Street
4

Turn right onto Schuyler Place

0.2 mi · 28 sec · Schuyler Place
5

At end of road, turn left onto NY 79

1.1 mi · 2 min · East State Street
6

Continue on NY 79

11 mi · 16 min · Slaterville Road
7

Continue on NY 79

15 mi · 17 min · State Highway 79
8

Continue on NY 79

3.1 mi · 3 min · Main Street
9

Turn right onto NY 26

0.6 mi · 47 sec · NY 26
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 81 South
11

Merge onto I 81

20 mi · 24 min · I 81
12

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.
13

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.
14

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.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
16

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
17

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

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.
19

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.
20

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.
21

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue
23

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
24

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
25

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
26

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
28

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
30

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
32

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33

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.
34

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
35

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Continue on I 295

3.2 mi · 3 min · Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 4E-W Toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 4E Toward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
39

Merge onto I 495

43 mi · 59 min · Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 65 Toward CR 16: Horse Block Road, Centereach, Shirley Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41

Turn straight onto Express Drive South

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Express Drive South
Toward I 495, CR 101: Yaphank, Riverhead
42

Turn slight right onto CR 16

4.1 mi · 6 min · Horseblock Road
Use the right lane.
43

At end of road, turn right onto CR 80

0.9 mi · 1 min · Montauk Highway
Use the right lane.
44

Turn left onto CR 36

0.4 mi · 50 sec · South Country Road
Use the left lane.
45

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 143.6 miles from Ithaca, NY, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 143.6 miles or 2h 54m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 50m

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 Ithaca, 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 Ithaca, NY

This is one driving day of about 287.1 miles and 6h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ithaca, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 80 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 143.6 mi from Ithaca, NY · 2h 54m into the drive

Downtown Ramapo, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

144 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.

Popular next leg

Ramapo, NY to Brookhaven, NY

96.3 mi · 1h 52m

Pacing Suggestions

Syracuse, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ramapo, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 143.6 miles from Ithaca, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80 miles.

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.

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.

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

National Memorial

Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 227.7
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Free near mile 227.7
View on nps.gov
Fire Island National Seashore

Fire Island National Seashore

National Seashore

Immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife, Fire Island has been a special...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 287.1
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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...

10 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 227.7
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 227.7
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free near mile 227.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.74 one way

$93.48 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 101 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $50.65 $101.30
premium $4.88 $55.19 $110.39
diesel $5.64 $63.78 $127.57

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

$47

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$94–$119

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 100.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 86.1 1 $30.15 $13.78
Efficient EV 71.8 0 $25.12 $11.48
EV Truck/SUV 114.8 1 $40.19 $18.37

Gas CO2

100 kg

EV CO2

34 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 3 days ago

Origin

Ithaca, NY

Morning in Ithaca on Monday

Local time

9:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brookhaven, NY

Morning in Brookhaven on Monday

Local time

9:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

59°F

Ramapo, NY

144 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

4 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

6h 1m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Ithaca, NY to Brookhaven, NY covers 287.1 miles and takes about 6h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, I 81, Long Island Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 143.6 miles from Ithaca, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.74 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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 32 significant decision points across 287.1 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 105.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 220 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 220.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Ithaca, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level - among others.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Brookhaven, NY

Tonawanda, NY 464.3 mi · 7h 42m Cherry Creek, NY 456.8 mi · 9h 20m Ransomville, NY 450.9 mi · 9h 46m Angola, NY 443.5 mi · 9h 28m

More from Ithaca, NY

Smithtown, NY 272.9 mi · 4h 56m Babylon, NY 272.3 mi · 5h 12m Hempstead, NY 247.4 mi · 5h 9m Richmond Hill, NY 243.4 mi · 4h 29m Queens, NY 242.9 mi · 4h 31m Staten Island, NY 242.5 mi · 4h 15m

More trips to Brookhaven, NY

Clymer, NY 487.9 mi Westfield, NY 482.8 mi Portland, NY 482.5 mi Brocton, NY 482.3 mi Mayville, NY 476.4 mi Chautauqua, NY 473.2 mi

Explore more options from Ithaca, NY or browse trips ending in Brookhaven, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.

Explore maps for Ithaca, NY or Brookhaven, NY on MapSof.net.