If you are planning a quick excursion from New York City to Cedarhurst, expect a straightforward 22-mile journey that typically takes about 41 minutes. This trip is well-suited for a single-day outing, as the duration is brief enough to keep travel fatigue to a minimum. You will rely on a combination of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, the Long Island Expressway, and Rockaway Boulevard to navigate between these two Northeast locations. With a modest fuel cost of approximately $3, it is an incredibly budget-friendly drive. Because both ends of the trip are within New York, you will find the transition between the city and the suburban environment quite seamless. Overall, this route is a practical choice for those who need to get from the heart of the city to Cedarhurst without a complex itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
11 miles from New York City, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 21m into the drive
.
Drive Character
This 22-mile route offers a mixed driving profile, transitioning between high-speed arterial roads and local surface streets. You will spend roughly 55 percent of your time on highways, providing a balance between highway cruising and urban navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 4.5-mile segment along Rockaway Boulevard, which serves as a key transition point. As you move away from the expressway portions, the pace shifts, requiring you to remain alert for changing traffic patterns. Expect a functional drive that trades scenic variety for direct, efficient transit across the region.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Rockaway Boulevard is the longest continuous segment at about 4.5 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
64 ft-5 ft
Total Climb
135 ft
Total Descent
142 ft
Highest Point
64 ft
~6.3 mi in
Elevation Range
69 ft
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 early in the drive near Chambers Street.
Route Complexity10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
This is a short but busy drive. With 29 decision points packed into just 22 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 41m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Chambers Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Chambers Street
Turn left onto Chambers Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
6.3 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, 48th Street
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 35A-B
Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Isla...
10
6.5 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhead, 48th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 35B
Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhe...
9
6.6 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhead
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 35E
Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhe...
8
10.6 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward I 678: Grand Central Parkway, Van Wyck 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 22A-E
Toward I 678: Grand Central Parkway, Van Wyck E...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New York City, NY and Cedarhurst, NY, road signs point toward Cadman Plaza West, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway East, Eastern Long Island, Riverhead, Grand Central Parkway East and Kennedy Airport.
Cadman Plaza West
1.3 mi in|~3m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway East
1.4 mi in|~4m
Eastern Long Island
6.3 mi in|~13m
Riverhead
6.5 mi in|~13m
Grand Central Parkway East
10.8 mi in|~20m
Kennedy Airport
12.4 mi in|~22m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Rockaway Boulevard
4.5 mi
9m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
4.4 mi
7m
Long Island Expressway
2.9 mi
4m
Van Wyck Expressway
2.7 mi
3m
Grand Central Parkway
1.4 mi
1m
Brooklyn Bridge
1.1 mi
2m
Rockaway Turnpike
0.8 mi
1m
West Broadway
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Rockaway Boulevard
— 4.5 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Cedarhurst, NY.
1
Start on Broadway
79 ft·10 sec·Broadway
2
Turn left onto Chambers Street
0.1 mi·36 sec·Chambers Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Turn right onto Centre Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·Centre Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Continue on Brooklyn Bridge
1.1 mi·2 min·Brooklyn Bridge
5
Take the exit
343 ft·9 sec
Toward I 278: Brooklyn Queens Expressway, Cadman Plaza WestUse the right lane.
6
Turn right
254 ft·9 sec
Toward I 278: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
7
Turn right onto Cadman Plaza West
31 ft·1 sec·Cadman Plaza West
8
Turn slight right
223 ft·8 sec
Toward Brooklyn-Queens Expressway East
9
Turn slight right onto Prospect Street
0.2 mi·52 sec·Prospect Street
Use the right lane.
10
Turn right onto Jay Street
276 ft·17 sec·Jay Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
At end of road, turn left onto Sands Street
56 ft·2 sec·Sands Street
Use the left lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 278 East: Triborough Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens ExpresswayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 278
3.6 mi·5 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278
0.8 mi·1 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 35A-BToward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, 48th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·18 sec·this road
Exit 35Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, 48 Street
17
Keep slight right at fork
308 ft·8 sec
Exit 35BToward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhead, 48th StreetUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 35EToward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, RiverheadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island
20
Merge onto I 495
2.9 mi·4 min·Long Island Expressway
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 22A-EToward I 678: Grand Central Parkway, Van Wyck ExpresswayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 22AToward Grand Central Parkway East
23
Merge onto GCP
1.4 mi·1 min·Grand Central Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 13Toward I 678 South: Van Wyck Expressway, Kennedy Airport
25
Merge onto I 678
2.6 mi·2 min·Van Wyck Expressway
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 2Toward Rockaway BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
27
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway
191 ft·10 sec·Van Wyck Expressway
28
Turn left onto Rockaway Boulevard
1.9 mi·3 min·Rockaway Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Turn left onto NY 878
2.6 mi·6 min·Rockaway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on Rockaway Turnpike
0.3 mi·41 sec·Rockaway Turnpike
31
Keep slight left at fork onto Rockaway Turnpike
0.5 mi·1 min·Rockaway Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Turn left onto West Broadway
0.4 mi·52 sec·West Broadway
Use the left lane.
33
Turn right onto Cedarhurst Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Cedarhurst Avenue
34
Arrive at destination
Cedarhurst Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 41-minute duration, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time, though checking live traffic reports is wise to avoid potential congestion on the expressways. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 22-mile trip, you can easily complete the entire distance in one go without needing a break. Keep a small amount of cash or a payment card handy, as the $3 fuel estimate assumes efficient driving conditions. My best tip for this route is to pay close attention to your GPS when transitioning off the Long Island Expressway, as the shift onto local roads like Rockaway Boulevard can happen quickly. Staying focused during these transitions will ensure you arrive in Cedarhurst smoothly and on schedule.
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 11 miles from New York City, NY, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 4.5 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 22 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedarhurst, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving New York City, NY.
Day 1
Settle into the route from New York City, NY
This is one driving day of about 22 miles and 41m.
At 22 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Rockaway Boulevard for about 4.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11 mi from New York City, NY
· 21m into the drive
The midpoint is around 11 miles from New York City, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cedarhurst, NY
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Cedarhurst, NY if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.62 one way
$7.24 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg8 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$3.92
$7.83
premium
$4.92
$4.26
$8.53
diesel
$5.61
$4.86
$9.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging
· 0 stops
· 63% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
6.6
0
$2.31
$1.06
Efficient EV
5.5
0
$1.92
$0.88
EV Truck/SUV
8.8
0
$3.08
$1.41
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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 14, 2026
Origin
New York City, NY
Evening
in New York City on Wednesday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 7 to 14 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 7:26PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:25PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Cedarhurst, NY
Evening
in Cedarhurst on Wednesday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
19 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
41m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from New York City, NY to Cedarhurst, NY covers 22 miles and takes about 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Rockaway Boulevard, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Long Island Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11 miles from New York City, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.62 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 short but busy drive. With 29 decision points packed into just 22 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 41m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Chambers Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between New York City, NY and Cedarhurst, NY, road signs point toward Cadman Plaza West, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway East, Eastern Long Island, Riverhead, Grand Central Parkway East and Kennedy Airport.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from -5 ft to 64 ft elevation with about 135 ft of total climbing.
