Origin
Washington Heights, NY
Night in Washington Heights on Thursday
Local time
11:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Washington Heights, NY to Beacon, NY
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
61.3 mi
99 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 19m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 24m
5 PM
1h 31m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Washington Heights, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Beacon, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
The drive from Washington Heights, NY to Beacon, NY covers 61.3 miles and takes about 1h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on NY 17, NJ 17, NJ 4 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 29.9 miles on NY 17. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.09 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 19m. Total distance: 61.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 19m highway drive covering 61.3 miles, with most of the trip on NY 17 and NJ 17. The longest continuous stretch is about 29.9 miles on NY 17.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NY 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 29.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 61.3 miles you will encounter 20 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 2.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.2 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.
8
2.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
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 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
9
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
7
9.2 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, Mahwah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17...
8
9.4 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
8
54.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 84, NY 300, NY 17K: Scranton, Newburgh
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 17
Toward I 84, NY 300, NY 17K: Scranton, Newburgh
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Washington Heights, NY and Beacon, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark, Mahwah, New York State Thruway North: Albany and Newburgh - among others.
Gsp South
9.2 mi in
|
~13m
Gsp North
9.2 mi in
|
~13m
Newark
9.2 mi in
|
~13m
Mahwah
9.2 mi in
|
~13m
New York State Thruway North: Albany
24.5 mi in
|
~33m
|
via NY 17
Newburgh
54.4 mi in
|
~1h 8m
Scranton
54.5 mi in
|
~1h 8m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 29.9 mi | 34m |
| NJ 17 | 14.7 mi | 18m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| I 84 | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| I 95 EXPR | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| North Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| George Washington Bridge (upper level) | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 29.9 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington Heights, NY and Beacon, NY.
1
Start on US 9
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Broadway
2
Turn right onto US 9
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
West 179th Street
3
Take the ramp onto US 9
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 9
Toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, New Jersey
4
Merge onto I 95; US 1; US 9
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
5
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
I 95 EXPR; NJTP
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 72A
Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto NJ 4
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
NJ 4
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, Mahwah
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
NJ 17
16
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 17
17
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
I 287; NY 17
18
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
30 mi
·
34 min
·
NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
Exit 17
Toward I 84, NY 300, NY 17K: Scranton, Newburgh
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 84, NY 300: Danbury, Scranton
21
Continue on this road
485 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 84 East: Danbury
23
Merge onto I 84
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
I 84
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 41
Toward NY 9D: Beacon, Wappingers Falls
25
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
this road
Exit 41
Toward NY 9D: Beacon, Wappingers Falls
26
Turn right onto NY 9D; NY 52 Bus
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Road
Use the right lane.
27
Continue on NY 9D; NY 52 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Avenue
28
Turn left onto NY 52 Bus
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
NY 52 Bus
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.7 mi from Washington Heights, NY · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.7 miles from Washington Heights, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Beacon, NY
The final approach into Beacon, 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
$10.09 one way
$20.18 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $10.91 | $21.82 |
| premium | $4.92 | $11.88 | $23.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.53 | $27.07 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$16
Total
$26
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.44 | $2.94 |
| Efficient EV | 15.3 | 0 | $5.36 | $2.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.58 | $3.92 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (67% 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
Beacon, NY
Night in Beacon on Thursday
Local time
11:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
1h 19m 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 Beacon, NY covers 61.3 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NY 17, NJ 17, NJ 4. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.7 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 $10.09 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 61.3 miles you will encounter 20 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 2.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.2 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 Beacon, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark, Mahwah, New York State Thruway North: Albany and Newburgh - among others.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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