Embark on a 293-mile journey from Nelson, NY, to Brookhaven, NY, a trip that typically takes around 6 hours and 22 minutes. This drive is primarily highway-focused, with 86% of the route utilizing major roadways, making it a feasible one-day excursion. Expect a fuel cost of approximately $48 for this journey. You'll be traversing through the Northeast region of New York for the entirety of your travel. Given its manageable duration and highway nature, this route is well-suited for a single-day adventure, allowing you to reach your destination efficiently.
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
146.5 miles from Nelson, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 7m into the drive
.
Brookhaven is the largest town in Suffolk County, part of Long Island, New York. With 485,000 residents (2020). It includes a patchwork of villages and other communities, and is the only town on the island to touch both the Long Island Sound and Atlantic Ocean. The villages of Belle Terre, Bellport, Lake Grove, Mastic Beach, Old Field, Patchogue, Poquott, Port Jefferson, and Shoreham are semi-autonomous, and provide their own services in addition to those provided by the town. Other prominent communities include Mount Sinai, Stony Brook, and Fire Island, a long and car-free resort island off the south coast of the town.
Top landmarks
•Wardenclyffe Tower — early experimental wireless transmission station designed and built by Nikola Te...
•West Meadow Beach Historic District — historic district in the United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 22m. Total distance: 293 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 22m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a predominantly highway-focused drive, with a substantial 86% of the 293 miles spent on major roads. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including one segment of 106 miles on NY 17. The primary arteries for this trip are NY 17, the Long Island Expressway, and State Highway 8. While the majority of the drive is on high-speed routes, be prepared for potential shifts in traffic patterns as you approach your destination on Long Island.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 48 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NY 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 106 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and Long Island Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 189.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 293 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 189.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.2 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.6 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
189.9 mi into trip|~4h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
9
205.2 mi into trip|~4h 20m in|NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
206.6 mi into trip|~4h 22m in|NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
235.6 mi into trip|~5h 2m 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
243.4 mi into trip|~5h 12m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Nelson, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany, New York City, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Eastern Long Island.
Nyst: Albany
189.9 mi in|~4h 2m
New York City
189.9 mi in|~4h 2m
Gsp South: Paterson
220.6 mi in|~4h 41m
Fort Lee
220.6 mi in|~4h 41m
New York
220.6 mi in|~4h 41m
Eastern Long Island
243.4 mi in|~5h 12m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
106 mi
2h 12m
Long Island Expressway
43.5 mi
59m
State Highway 8
36.8 mi
41m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
New York State Thruway
13.7 mi
15m
US 20
10.8 mi
15m
State Highway 12
10.2 mi
15m
Rexford Street
8.3 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 106 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nelson, NY and Brookhaven, NY.
1
Start on US 20
11 mi·15 min·US 20
2
Continue on NY 46
1.4 mi·1 min·State Route 46
3
Continue on NY 12B
2.0 mi·2 min·State Route 12B
4
Continue on NY 12B
1.1 mi·1 min·Utica Street
5
Turn slight right onto NY 12B
1.1 mi·1 min·Broad Street
6
Continue on NY 12B
4.6 mi·6 min·State Route 12B
7
Continue on NY 12B
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
8
Continue on NY 12B
3.7 mi·5 min·State Highway 12B
9
Continue on NY 12B
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
10
Continue on NY 12
10 mi·15 min·State Highway 12
11
Continue on NY 12
0.6 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
12
Turn left onto NY 23
8.3 mi·9 min·Rexford Street
13
Turn right onto NY 8
18 mi·20 min·State Highway 8
14
Continue on NY 8
0.4 mi·29 sec·Airport Road
15
Continue on NY 8
19 mi·21 min·State Highway 8
16
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.3 mi·18 sec·Oak Street
17
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.4 mi·44 sec·State Highway 10
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward NY 17 East
19
Merge onto NY 17
105 mi·2 hr 11 min·NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·59 sec
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York CityUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York CityUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto I 87
14 mi·15 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
24
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
25
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
28
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
29
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
31
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
33
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
35
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
2.0 mi·2 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6BToward I 295 South: Throgs Neck BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
37
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
38
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on I 295
3.2 mi·3 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 4E-WToward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long IslandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 4EToward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
42
Merge onto I 495
43 mi·59 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 65Toward CR 16: Horse Block Road, Centereach, ShirleyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
0.2 mi·21 sec·Express Drive South
Toward I 495, CR 101: Yaphank, Riverhead
45
Turn slight right onto CR 16
4.1 mi·6 min·Horseblock Road
Use the right lane.
46
At end of road, turn right onto CR 80
0.9 mi·1 min·Montauk Highway
Use the right lane.
47
Turn left onto CR 36
0.4 mi·50 sec·South Country Road
Use the left lane.
48
Arrive at destination
CR 36
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour, 22-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Nelson to navigate potential traffic, especially as you get closer to Long Island. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 106 miles on NY 17, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before embarking on this segment. The total fuel cost is estimated at $48, so ensure your tank is topped off before you leave to avoid unnecessary stops.
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 146.5 miles from Nelson, NY, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106 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 64 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.5 miles or 3h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 9m
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 Nelson, 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 Nelson, NY
This is one driving day of about 293 miles and 6h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Nelson, 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 NY 17 for about 106 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 146.5 mi from Nelson, NY
· 3h 7m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 227.5
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 227.5
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 286.9
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 227.5
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 227.5
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 227.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.23 one way
$96.46 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$52.15
$104.30
premium
$4.92
$56.79
$113.58
diesel
$5.61
$64.69
$129.38
Estimated Tolls: $23.23
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(13.7 mi)$0.68
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
$48
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.9
1
$30.76
$14.06
Efficient EV
73.3
0
$25.64
$11.72
EV Truck/SUV
117.2
1
$41.02
$18.75
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% 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 as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Nelson, NY
Morning
in Nelson on Saturday
Local time
9:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brookhaven, NY
Morning
in Brookhaven on Saturday
Local time
9:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Scattered Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy
NE 2 to 6 mph35% chanceLive forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
147 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 22m 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 Nelson, NY to Brookhaven, NY covers 293 miles and takes about 6h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NY 17, Long Island Expressway, State Highway 8. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 146.5 miles from Nelson, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.23 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 25 significant decision points across 293 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 189.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.2 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.6 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Nelson, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany, New York City, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Eastern Long Island.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Fire Island National Seashore. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
