The drive from South Nyack, NY to Brookhaven, NY covers 81.4 miles and takes about 1h 55m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Long Island Expressway, Palisades Interstate Parkway, Cross Bronx Expressway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 43.5 miles on Long Island Expressway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.40 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.
Midpoint
40.7 miles from South Nyack, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 59m into the drive
.
Nyack is in Rockland County, New York. This article also covers the nearby towns of Upper Nyack and South Nyack, immediately to the north and south of Nyack, respectively.
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 1h 55m. Total distance: 81.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 55m highway drive covering 81.4 miles, with most of the trip on Long Island Expressway and Palisades Interstate Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 43.5 miles on Long Island Expressway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 6.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.4 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.9 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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
6.9 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the ramp toward Palisades Parkway South, Palisades Scenic Byway
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Palisades Parkway South, Palisades Sceni...
8
23.9 mi into trip|~36m 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
31.7 mi into trip|~46m 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
31.9 mi into trip|~46m 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
75.6 mi into trip|~1h 46m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between South Nyack, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Palisades Parkway South, Palisades Scenic Byway, Eastern Long Island, Centereach, Shirley and Cr 101: Yaphank - among others.
Palisades Parkway South
6.9 mi in|~11m
Palisades Scenic Byway
6.9 mi in|~11m
Eastern Long Island
31.7 mi in|~46m
Centereach
75.6 mi in|~1h 46m
Shirley
75.6 mi in|~1h 46m
Cr 101: Yaphank
75.8 mi in|~1h 47m|via Express Drive South
Riverhead
75.8 mi in|~1h 47m|via Express Drive South
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
43.5 mi
59m
Palisades Interstate Parkway
10.3 mi
14m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Horseblock Road
4.1 mi
6m
Clearview Expressway
3.2 mi
3m
US 9W
2.8 mi
4m
Route 9W
2.6 mi
4m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 43.5 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Nyack, NY and Brookhaven, NY.
1
Start on South Broadway
0.8 mi·1 min·South Broadway
2
Turn straight onto US 9W
2.8 mi·4 min·US 9W
3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 9W
2.6 mi·4 min·Route 9W
4
Continue on US 9W
0.7 mi·1 min·Palisades Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward Palisades Parkway South, Palisades Scenic BywayUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
10 mi·14 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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
8
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
10
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
13
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 295
3.2 mi·3 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 4E-WToward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long IslandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 4EToward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
17
Merge onto I 495
43 mi·59 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 65Toward CR 16: Horse Block Road, Centereach, ShirleyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
0.2 mi·21 sec·Express Drive South
Toward I 495, CR 101: Yaphank, Riverhead
20
Turn slight right onto CR 16
4.1 mi·6 min·Horseblock Road
Use the right lane.
21
At end of road, turn right onto CR 80
0.9 mi·1 min·Montauk Highway
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto CR 36
0.4 mi·50 sec·South Country Road
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
CR 36
Trip Plan
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 40.7 miles from South Nyack, NY, or about 59m 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 18 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.7 miles or 59m 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 37m
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 South Nyack, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from South Nyack, NY
This is one driving day of about 81.4 miles and 1h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from South Nyack, 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 40.7 mi from South Nyack, NY
· 59m into the drive
The midpoint is around 40.7 miles from South Nyack, 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.
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 81.4
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
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 19.6
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 19.6
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 19.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.40 one way
$26.80 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$14.49
$28.98
premium
$4.92
$15.78
$31.55
diesel
$5.61
$17.97
$35.94
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
$13
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.4
0
$8.55
$3.91
Efficient EV
20.4
0
$7.12
$3.26
EV Truck/SUV
32.6
0
$11.40
$5.21
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (64% 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 13, 2026
Origin
South Nyack, NY
Late night
in South Nyack on Saturday
Local time
5:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brookhaven, NY
Late night
in Brookhaven on Saturday
Local time
5:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SW 15 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:26AM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
14 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 55m 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 South Nyack, NY to Brookhaven, NY covers 81.4 miles and takes about 1h 55m 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 40.7 miles from South Nyack, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.40 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.4 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.9 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between South Nyack, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Palisades Parkway South, Palisades Scenic Byway, Eastern Long Island, Centereach, Shirley and Cr 101: Yaphank - among others.
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.
