This 87.6-mile drive from New Hempstead, NY to Brookhaven, NY is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 2 minutes to complete. Primarily a highway-focused journey, you'll spend about 89% of your time on major roadways like the Long Island Expressway, Palisades Interstate Parkway, and Cross Bronx Expressway. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, this route is an efficient way to travel between these two New York locations. The drive offers a straightforward path, ideal for those looking for a direct and uncomplicated trip within the Northeast region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.8 miles from New Hempstead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m 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 2h 2m. Total distance: 87.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this 87.6-mile route, with 89% of the drive taking place on major expressways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 43.5 miles along the Long Island Expressway, offering a consistent pace. The transition between roads like the Palisades Interstate Parkway, Cross Bronx Expressway, and the Long Island Expressway means you'll be navigating a series of connected high-speed corridors. This drive prioritizes efficiency over scenic detours, keeping you moving toward your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 Palisades Interstate Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.2 miles in near I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway.
Driving Effort9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 87.6 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 30.2 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
30.2 mi into trip|~42m 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
38 mi into trip|~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
8
38.1 mi into trip|~53m 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
81.9 mi into trip|~1h 53m 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
86.4 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New Hempstead, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Eastern Long Island, Centereach, Shirley, Cr 101: Yaphank and Riverhead.
Eastern Long Island
38 mi in|~52m
Centereach
81.9 mi in|~1h 53m
Shirley
81.9 mi in|~1h 53m
Cr 101: Yaphank
82.1 mi in|~1h 53m|via Express Drive South
Riverhead
82.1 mi in|~1h 53m|via Express Drive South
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
43.5 mi
59m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
23.1 mi
31m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Horseblock Road
4.1 mi
6m
Clearview Expressway
3.2 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Montauk Highway
0.9 mi
1m
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 43.5 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Hempstead, NY and Brookhaven, NY.
1
Start on NY 45
83 ft·8 sec·State Highway 45
2
Turn left onto CR 80
0.4 mi·1 min·New Hempstead Road
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
4
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
23 mi·31 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·52 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
6
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
8
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
11
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 295
3.2 mi·3 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 4E-WToward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long IslandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 4EToward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
15
Merge onto I 495
43 mi·59 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 65Toward CR 16: Horse Block Road, Centereach, ShirleyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
0.2 mi·21 sec·Express Drive South
Toward I 495, CR 101: Yaphank, Riverhead
18
Turn slight right onto CR 16
4.1 mi·6 min·Horseblock Road
Use the right lane.
19
At end of road, turn right onto CR 80
0.9 mi·1 min·Montauk Highway
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto CR 36
0.4 mi·50 sec·South Country Road
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
CR 36
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of around 2 hours, this trip is easily manageable in one day. To maximize your time and potentially avoid some traffic, consider departing earlier in the morning. With no designated stops in the data, you have the flexibility to pull over as needed, but remember that the longest stretch without a change in major road is 43.5 miles on the Long Island Expressway, so plan any breaks before or after that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before entering longer highway sections, and note the estimated fuel cost of $14 for budgeting purposes.
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 43.8 miles from New Hempstead, NY, or about 1h 1m 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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.8 miles or 1h 1m 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 43m
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 New Hempstead, 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 New Hempstead, NY
This is one driving day of about 87.6 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from New Hempstead, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 43.8 mi from New Hempstead, NY
· 1h 1m into the drive
The midpoint is around 43.8 miles from New Hempstead, 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.
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...
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...
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 87.6
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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 24.2
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
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 24.2
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 24.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.42 one way
$28.84 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$15.59
$31.18
premium
$4.92
$16.98
$33.96
diesel
$5.61
$19.34
$38.68
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
$14
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.3
0
$9.20
$4.20
Efficient EV
21.9
0
$7.66
$3.50
EV Truck/SUV
35
0
$12.26
$5.61
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
New Hempstead, NY
Late night
in New Hempstead on Saturday
Local time
12:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brookhaven, NY
Late night
in Brookhaven on Saturday
Local time
12:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°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
15 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
2h 2m 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 New Hempstead, NY to Brookhaven, NY covers 87.6 miles and takes about 2h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Long Island Expressway, Palisades Interstate 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 43.8 miles from New Hempstead, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.42 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 14 significant decision points across 87.6 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 30.2 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between New Hempstead, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Eastern Long Island, Centereach, Shirley, Cr 101: Yaphank and Riverhead.
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.
