Traveling from Thornwood to Brooklyn covers 40.6 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 23 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, it functions perfectly as a simple day excursion that requires no overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $6 on fuel for the entire journey. As you move from the northern suburbs into the heart of the city, the landscape shifts significantly from residential Westchester County to the dense urban environment of the five boroughs. Given the duration and distance, this route is straightforward enough to complete without any planned stops.
Brooklyn, the "Borough of Homes and Churches," is one of the five boroughs of New York City. It used to be a separate city, and still feels much like one. It has about 2.5 million inhabitants. If separated from the rest of New York City, Brooklyn would be the 4th most populous American city.
Brooklyn is on the westernmost point of Long Island and shares a land boundary with Queens, which partially encircles Brooklyn to the north, east and south; Manhattan lies across the East River to the west and north of Brooklyn, and Staten Island is across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the southwest.
Brooklyn is enjoying a period of growth and affluence not seen since before World War II. The Brooklyn Academy of Music boasts world-class theater performances, and the nearby Barclays Center is the home of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.
Top landmarks
•Brooklyn Bridge — bridge in New York City, crossing the East River
•Brooklyn Museum — art museum in Brooklyn, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 6m. Total distance: 40.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you make your way south toward the city. Since the route consists of 0% highway driving, you will be navigating local roads for the entire 40.6-mile duration. The pace is steady rather than fast, requiring your full attention as you transition through various neighborhoods. Without any long, uninterrupted stretches of highway, the personality of this drive is defined by constant navigation and frequent adjustments. Prepare for a more hands-on experience behind the wheel compared to a typical interstate commute.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Saw Mill River Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 17.3 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
366 ft11 ft
Total Climb
371 ft
Total Descent
589 ft
Highest Point
366 ft
~5.8 mi in
Elevation Range
355 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Saw Mill River Parkway and Major Deegan Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.9 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 40.5 miles you will encounter 16 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 18.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.4 miles (I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
18.9 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward I 87 South: Deegan Expressway, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
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.
Toward I 87 South: Deegan Expressway, Robert F....
8
25.9 mi into trip|~37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 278 West: RFK Bridge, Manhattan, Queens
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 278 West: RFK Bridge, Manhattan, Queen...
8
29.4 mi into trip|~44m in|I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, Staten Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, Staten Island
7
35.2 mi into trip|~53m in|I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway toward I 278 West: Staten Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 278 West: Staten Island
8
35.9 mi into trip|~55m in
Take the exit toward Wythe Avenue, Kent Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 31
Toward Wythe Avenue, Kent Avenue
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Thornwood, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.
Manhattan
25.9 mi in|~37m
Queens
25.9 mi in|~37m
Staten Island
29.4 mi in|~44m|via I 278
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Saw Mill River Parkway
17.3 mi
23m
Major Deegan Expressway
6.8 mi
10m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
5.7 mi
9m
Washington Avenue
2.4 mi
5m
Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
2.3 mi
4m
Mosholu Parkway
0.9 mi
1m
Grand Central Parkway
0.8 mi
1m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Saw Mill River Parkway
— 17.3 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornwood, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
1
Start on Kensico Road
139 ft·7 sec·Kensico Road
2
Continue on Kensico Road
0.1 mi·30 sec·Kensico Road
3
Continue on Marble Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·Marble Avenue
4
Turn left
246 ft·8 sec
5
At end of road, turn left onto Saw Mill River Parkway
17 mi·23 min·Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on HH
0.4 mi·32 sec·Henry Hudson Parkway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto MP
0.9 mi·1 min·Mosholu Parkway
Use the slight left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 87 South: Deegan Expressway, Robert F. Kennedy BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 87
6.8 mi·10 min·Major Deegan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward I 278 West: RFK Bridge, Manhattan, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 278
2.3 mi·4 min·Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 278; GCP
0.8 mi·1 min·Grand Central Parkway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278
5.7 mi·9 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, Staten IslandUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278
0.8 mi·1 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Toward I 278 West: Staten IslandUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 31Toward Wythe Avenue, Kent AvenueUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto Williamsburg Street West
0.3 mi·58 sec·Williamsburg Street West
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto Flushing Avenue
0.3 mi·34 sec·Flushing Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Washington Avenue
2.4 mi·5 min·Washington Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto Empire Boulevard
413 ft·18 sec·Empire Boulevard
20
Turn left onto Flatbush Avenue
0.7 mi·2 min·Flatbush Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Turn left onto NY 27
0.2 mi·12 sec·Caton Avenue
22
Continue on NY 27
0.4 mi·31 sec·Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Nostrand Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Nostrand Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.3 mi from Thornwood, NY
· 29m into the drive
The midpoint is around 20.3 miles from Thornwood, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Brooklyn, NY
The final approach into Brooklyn, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.67 one way
$13.33 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg14 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$7.21
$14.42
premium
$4.92
$7.85
$15.70
diesel
$5.61
$8.94
$17.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
12.2
0
$4.25
$1.94
Efficient EV
10.1
0
$3.54
$1.62
EV Truck/SUV
16.2
0
$5.67
$2.59
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 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 14, 2026
Origin
Thornwood, NY
Evening
in Thornwood on Friday
Local time
8:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
SW 2 to 12 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:13PM EDT until April 16 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Brooklyn, NY
Evening
in Brooklyn on Friday
Local time
8:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 3 to 12 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:13PM EDT until April 16 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
3 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
1h 6m 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 Thornwood, NY to Brooklyn, NY covers 40.5 miles and takes about 1h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Saw Mill River Parkway, Major Deegan Expressway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.3 miles from Thornwood, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.67 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 40.5 miles you will encounter 16 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 18.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.4 miles (I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Thornwood, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 11 ft to 366 ft elevation with about 371 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, African Burial Ground National Monument and General Grant National Memorial. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
