Origin
Washington Heights, NY
Afternoon in Washington Heights on Sunday
Local time
4:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Washington Heights, NY to Islip Terrace, NY
Drive Time
1h 8m
Distance
48.7 mi
78 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 3m
★
6 AM
1h 9m
8 AM
1h 20m
10 AM
1h 13m
12 PM
1h 12m
3 PM
1h 13m
5 PM
1h 19m
8 PM
1h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Washington Heights, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Islip Terrace, NY
Mel Audelo
Trip Overview
Traveling from Washington Heights to Islip Terrace is a straightforward 48.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 8 minutes. Because of the manageable duration, this trip is easily completed as a one-day outing, requiring no overnight stays. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, including the Cross Bronx Expressway, Clearview Expressway, and the Southern State Parkway. With fuel costs estimated at just $8, this is an incredibly economical route to navigate within the Northeast region. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you from the city to Long Island efficiently.
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
24.3 miles from Washington Heights, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 78% of this trip is spent on high-speed roads. The drive transitions through busy urban arteries before feeding into longer parkway stretches. You will spend your longest uninterrupted segment covering 24.7 miles on the Southern State Parkway, which provides the most consistent pace of the entire trip. While the route lacks technical local roads, you should prepare for the intensity of navigating major expressway junctions. Overall, the character of the drive is functional and fast-paced rather than leisurely.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southern State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 24.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern State Parkway and Cross Bronx Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West 181st Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 48.7 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 0.2 miles (West 181st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West 181st Street
Turn right onto West 181st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
5.3 mi into trip
|
~8m 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 / none lanes.
Exit 6B
Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge
8
18.2 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 25A
Toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Lon...
9
43.4 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Take the exit toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore
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 41S
Toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore
7
44.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
Sunrise Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto Sunrise Highway toward NY 27 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward NY 27 East
Towns Along This Route
Between Washington Heights, NY and Islip Terrace, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway South, Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island, Bay Shore Road South and Bay Shore.
Cross Island Parkway South
16.7 mi in
|
~25m
Southern State Parkway East
18.2 mi in
|
~27m
Eastern Long Island
18.2 mi in
|
~27m
Bay Shore Road South
43.4 mi in
|
~1h
Bay Shore
43.4 mi in
|
~1h
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern State Parkway | 24.7 mi | 31m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Clearview Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| Sunrise Highway | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| Throgs Neck Bridge | 2 mi | 3m |
| Cross Island Parkway | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Hempstead Avenue | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Hollis Court Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Southern State Parkway
— 24.7 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington Heights, NY and Islip Terrace, NY.
1
Start on US 9
302 ft
·
20 sec
·
Broadway
2
Turn left onto West 180th Street
293 ft
·
17 sec
·
West 180th Street
3
Turn left onto Wadsworth Avenue
293 ft
·
12 sec
·
Wadsworth Avenue
4
Turn right onto West 181st Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
West 181st Street
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on Washington Bridge
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Bridge
Use the straight / none lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 95 North: Cross Bronx Expressway, New England, Eastern Long Island
7
Merge onto I 95; US 1
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
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 / none lanes.
9
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on NY 24
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
13
At end of road, turn left onto NY 24
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Jamaica Avenue
Use the left / none lanes.
14
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Hempstead Avenue
Use the none lane.
15
Turn right onto 225th Street
228 ft
·
9 sec
·
225th Street
Use the right lane.
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
17
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Cross Island Parkway
Use the none lane.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 25A
Toward Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
19
Merge onto SO
25 mi
·
31 min
·
Southern State Parkway
Use the none lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Southern State Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 41S
Toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto CR 57
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Bay Shore Road
Use the none lane.
23
Continue on CR 57
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Howells Road
Use the none lane.
24
Turn straight onto CR 57
341 ft
·
6 sec
·
Sunrise Highway
25
Keep slight left at fork onto Sunrise Highway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunrise Highway
Toward NY 27 East
Use the none lane.
26
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward NY 27 East: Montauk
27
Merge onto NY 27
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Sunrise Highway
Use the none lane.
28
Arrive at destination
NY 27
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic on the expressways is always a wise strategy. You will likely not need to plan for any formal stops given the hour-long duration, allowing you to head straight to your destination. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Washington Heights, as the $8 estimate assumes efficient highway driving. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor traffic reports for the Cross Bronx Expressway, as congestion there can significantly impact your total travel time.
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 24.3 miles from Washington Heights, NY, or about 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.7 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 48.7 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.3 miles or 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Islip Terrace, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Washington Heights, 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 Washington Heights, NY
This is one driving day of about 48.7 miles and 1h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Washington Heights, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Southern State Parkway for about 24.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.3 mi from Washington Heights, NY · 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 48.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.3 miles from Washington Heights, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Islip Terrace, NY
The final approach into Islip Terrace, 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 Islip Terrace, 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
$7.93 one way
$15.86 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $8.59 | $17.18 |
| premium | $4.88 | $9.36 | $18.72 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.82 | $21.64 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.55
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
$8
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.11 | $2.34 |
| Efficient EV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.26 | $1.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.82 | $3.12 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Islip Terrace, NY
Afternoon in Islip Terrace on Sunday
Local time
4:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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 8m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Washington Heights, NY to Islip Terrace, NY covers 48.7 miles and takes about 1h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southern State Parkway, Cross Bronx Expressway, Clearview 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 24.3 miles from Washington Heights, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.93 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 demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 48.7 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 0.2 miles (West 181st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Washington Heights, NY and Islip Terrace, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway South, Southern State Parkway East, Eastern Long Island, Bay Shore Road South and Bay Shore.
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Return Trip
Islip Terrace, NY to Washington Heights, NYPlan the drive back the other way.
54 mi
1h 15m
Continue From Islip Terrace, NY
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