Origin
Mount Vernon, NY
Afternoon in Mount Vernon on Sunday
Local time
3:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mount Vernon, NY to Brookhaven, NY
Drive Time
1h 30m
Distance
62.5 mi
101 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 24m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 44m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 34m
3 PM
1h 36m
5 PM
1h 44m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Vernon, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
Traveling from Mount Vernon to Brookhaven covers 62.5 miles of Northeast territory within New York state. You can expect a drive time of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, making this a very manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of roughly $10, it is an economical route for a quick getaway. You will primarily utilize the Long Island Expressway, Clearview Expressway, and Horseblock Road to complete the journey. Because this is a straightforward trek, it offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule.
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
31.3 miles from Mount Vernon, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 80% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the Long Island Expressway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 43.5 miles. While the route begins with the urban transition from Mount Vernon, the character of the drive shifts as you merge onto the expressways. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience rather than technical winding roads, keeping you moving efficiently toward your destination in Brookhaven.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Long Island Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 43.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Island Expressway and Horseblock Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 miles in near I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 62.5 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 5.5 miles (I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
5.5 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway toward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 7A
Toward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Is...
8
12.9 mi into trip
|
~21m 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
8
13 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 4E
Toward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, East...
8
56.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward CR 16: Horse Block Road, Centereach, Shirley
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 65
Toward CR 16: Horse Block Road, Centereach, Shi...
6
61.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
CR 80 / Montauk Highway
At end of road, turn right onto CR 80 / Montauk Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Mount Vernon, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Long Island, Eastern Long Island, Centereach, Shirley, Cr 101: Yaphank and Riverhead.
Long Island
5.5 mi in
|
~11m
|
via I 695
Eastern Long Island
12.9 mi in
|
~21m
Centereach
56.8 mi in
|
~1h 21m
Shirley
56.8 mi in
|
~1h 21m
Cr 101: Yaphank
57 mi in
|
~1h 21m
|
via Express Drive South
Riverhead
57 mi in
|
~1h 21m
|
via Express Drive South
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Long Island Expressway | 43.5 mi | 59m |
| Horseblock Road | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Clearview Expressway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Throgs Neck Expressway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Throgs Neck Bridge | 2 mi | 3m |
| New England Thruway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| North 5th Avenue | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Bruckner Expressway | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 43.5 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Vernon, NY and Brookhaven, NY.
1
Start on East Prospect Avenue
315 ft
·
17 sec
·
East Prospect Avenue
2
Turn left onto North 5th Avenue
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
North 5th Avenue
3
Continue on Dyre Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dyre Avenue
4
Continue on Steenwick Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Steenwick Avenue
5
At end of road, turn right onto New England Thruway
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
New England Thruway
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 95 South
7
Merge onto I 95
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
New England Thruway
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on I 95
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Bruckner Expressway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
Exit 7A
Toward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Island
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 295
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 4E-W
Toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 4E
Toward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
14
Merge onto I 495
43 mi
·
59 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 65
Toward CR 16: Horse Block Road, Centereach, Shirley
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Express Drive South
Toward I 495, CR 101: Yaphank, Riverhead
17
Turn slight right onto CR 16
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Horseblock Road
Use the right lane.
18
At end of road, turn right onto CR 80
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Montauk Highway
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto CR 36
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
South Country Road
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
CR 36
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 62.5-mile trip, your biggest variable is traffic flow on the major expressways. Aim to depart outside of peak commuting hours to ensure you maintain that 1 hour and 30 minute travel time. Because you will spend most of your time on the highway, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting the road to avoid unnecessary stops. Given the direct nature of the route, you have the advantage of being able to complete the drive in one go without needing to plan for breaks. Keep a close eye on the transition to Horseblock Road as you approach your final destination to ensure a smooth arrival.
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 31.3 miles from Mount Vernon, NY, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.5 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 62.5 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.3 miles or 46m 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 16m
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 Mount Vernon, 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 Mount Vernon, NY
This is one driving day of about 62.5 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mount Vernon, 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 Long Island Expressway for about 43.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.3 mi from Mount Vernon, NY · 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 62.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31.3 miles from Mount Vernon, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.17 one way
$20.35 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $11.03 | $22.05 |
| premium | $4.88 | $12.02 | $24.03 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.89 | $27.77 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.66
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New England Thruway
(1.5 mi)
$0.11
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
$10
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.56 | $3.00 |
| Efficient EV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.47 | $2.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25 | 0 | $8.75 | $4.00 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Brookhaven, NY
Afternoon in Brookhaven on Sunday
Local time
3:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
9 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
1h 30m 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 Mount Vernon, NY to Brookhaven, NY covers 62.5 miles and takes about 1h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Long Island Expressway, Horseblock Road, Clearview 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 31.3 miles from Mount Vernon, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.17 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 13 significant decision points across 62.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.5 miles (I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Mount Vernon, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Long Island, Eastern Long Island, Centereach, Shirley, Cr 101: Yaphank and Riverhead.
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