Drive Time
30m
Distance
19.9 mi
32 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
Photo: Mel Audelo
The drive from Smithtown, NY to Brookhaven, NY covers 19.9 miles and takes about 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Middle Country Road, Horseblock Road, Long Island Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 5.6 miles on Middle Country Road. At current regular gas prices, budget about $3.24 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
9.9 miles from Smithtown, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Expect a 30m drive with frequent turns across 19.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
182 ft
Total Descent
228 ft
Highest Point
164 ft
~8.3 mi in
Elevation Range
155 ft
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 19.9 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 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles (I 495 / Long Island Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward I 495 East: Riverhead
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 495 / Long Island Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
At end of road, turn right onto CR 80 / Montauk Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto CR 36 / South Country Road
Lane positioning matters here
Between Smithtown, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Cr 97 South: Blue Point, Centereach, Shirley, Cr 101: Yaphank and Riverhead.
Cr 97 South: Blue Point
Centereach
Shirley
Cr 101: Yaphank
Riverhead
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Country Road | 5.6 mi | 8m |
| Horseblock Road | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Long Island Expressway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Nicolls Road | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| West Main Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Montauk Highway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Express Drive South | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South Country Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Smithtown, NY and Brookhaven, NY.
Start on NY 25; NY 25A
Continue on NY 25
Take the ramp
Merge onto CR 97
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
Turn slight right onto CR 16
At end of road, turn right onto CR 80
Turn left onto CR 36
Arrive at destination
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.
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 19.9 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.9 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brookhaven, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Smithtown, 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 Smithtown, NY
This is one driving day of about 19.9 miles and 30m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 9.9 mi from Smithtown, NY · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
10 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.
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.
Regular Gas
$3.24 one way
$6.48 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $3.51 | $7.02 |
| premium | $4.88 | $3.83 | $7.65 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.42 | $8.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6 | 0 | $2.09 | $0.96 |
| Efficient EV | 5 | 0 | $1.74 | $0.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8 | 0 | $2.79 | $1.27 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Night in Smithtown on Saturday
Local time
9:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Clear
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 2:05PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 4:31AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Night in Brookhaven on Saturday
Local time
9:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
51°F
Islip, NY
10 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Smithtown, NY or browse trips ending in Brookhaven, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.
Explore maps for Smithtown, NY or Brookhaven, NY on MapSof.net.
