Origin
Seward, NY
Night in Seward on Wednesday
Local time
10:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Seward, NY to Brookhaven, NY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 4m
Distance
224.7 mi
362 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 51m
★
6 AM
5h 4m
8 AM
5h 31m
10 AM
5h 14m
12 PM
5h 11m
3 PM
5h 15m
5 PM
5h 30m
8 PM
4h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Seward, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
Embark on a 224.7-mile journey from Seward to Brookhaven, New York, a trip that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 4 minutes. This drive is a solid day trip, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points within the Northeast region. You'll primarily navigate via the New York State Thruway and the Long Island Expressway, with a portion on State Highway 145 contributing to the overall experience. With an estimated fuel cost of around $37, this route offers a straightforward and budget-friendly option for your travel plans. Expect a mixed driving profile, suggesting a blend of highway speeds and potentially some more varied road conditions as you approach your destination.
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
112.4 miles from Seward, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
This route offers a mixed driving experience, with 59% of it being highway driving. You'll encounter stretches on major arteries like the New York State Thruway, allowing for consistent speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 70.5 miles on the New York State Thruway, providing a significant period of open road. As you transition to roads like the Long Island Expressway and State Highway 145, the character of the drive will likely change, potentially involving more local traffic and varied speed limits. This blend means you'll experience both efficient highway travel and more nuanced driving as you progress.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New York State Thruway is the longest continuous segment at about 70.5 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 136.9 miles in near NY 17.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 224.7 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 136.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.2 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.3 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
136.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m 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
138.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 4m 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
167.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m 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
175.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 54m 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
175.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 55m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Seward, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Eastern Long Island.
Gsp South: Paterson
152.3 mi in
|
~3h 23m
Fort Lee
152.3 mi in
|
~3h 23m
New York
152.3 mi in
|
~3h 23m
Eastern Long Island
175.1 mi in
|
~3h 54m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 70.5 mi | 1h 21m |
| Long Island Expressway | 43.5 mi | 59m |
| State Highway 145 | 35.2 mi | 50m |
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| State Highway 32 | 9.2 mi | 13m |
| King's Highway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 70.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seward, NY and Brookhaven, NY.
1
Start on NY 165
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 165
2
At end of road, turn right onto NY 10
6.1 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 10
3
Continue on NY 10
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Elm Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto NY 10; NY 145
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Grand Street
5
Turn left onto NY 7; NY 145
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
East Main Street
6
Turn right onto NY 145
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 145
7
At end of road, turn left onto NY 30; NY 145
291 ft
·
8 sec
·
State Highway 30
8
Continue on NY 30; NY 145
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
9
Continue on NY 145
28 mi
·
40 min
·
State Highway 145
10
Turn straight onto NY 23
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 23
11
Turn right onto NY 32
9.2 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 32
12
Continue on NY 32
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
King's Highway
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
14
Merge onto I 87
71 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
·
NY 17
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi
·
18 min
·
NJ 17
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
20
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
NJ 4
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
25
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
27
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
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.
29
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
30
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 295
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 4E-W
Toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 4E
Toward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
34
Merge onto I 495
43 mi
·
59 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 65
Toward CR 16: Horse Block Road, Centereach, Shirley
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Express Drive South
Toward I 495, CR 101: Yaphank, Riverhead
37
Turn slight right onto CR 16
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Horseblock Road
Use the right lane.
38
At end of road, turn right onto CR 80
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Montauk Highway
Use the right lane.
39
Turn left onto CR 36
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
South Country Road
Use the left lane.
40
Arrive at destination
CR 36
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, this trip is definitely manageable as a single-day adventure, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave earlier in the day to maximize daylight and potentially avoid heavier traffic, especially as you get closer to the Long Island Expressway. You'll have about 70.5 miles of continuous driving on the New York State Thruway, so plan your stops accordingly – perhaps a fuel and stretch break before or after this long stretch. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of freedom to pace yourself, but remember to keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially on the highway sections, to stay within your estimated $37 budget.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 112.4 miles from Seward, NY, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.5 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 49 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.4 miles or 2h 34m 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 7m
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 Seward, 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 Seward, NY
This is one driving day of about 224.7 miles and 5h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Seward, 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 New York State Thruway for about 70.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 112.4 mi from Seward, NY · 2h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 112.4 miles from Seward, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.5 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.99 one way
$73.97 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $39.99 | $79.99 |
| premium | $4.92 | $43.55 | $87.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.61 | $99.22 |
Estimated Tolls: $26.08
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(70.5 mi)
$3.53
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
$37
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.4 | 0 | $23.59 | $10.79 |
| Efficient EV | 56.2 | 0 | $19.66 | $8.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.9 | 1 | $31.46 | $14.38 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Night in Brookhaven on Wednesday
Local time
10:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
112 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
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
5h 4m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Seward, NY to Brookhaven, NY covers 224.7 miles and takes about 5h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, Long Island Expressway, State Highway 145. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 112.4 miles from Seward, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.99 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 26 significant decision points across 224.7 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 136.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.2 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.3 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Seward, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Eastern Long Island.
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