Trip from Washington Heights, NY to Nesconset, NY

Drive Time

1h 10m

Distance

49.4 mi

80 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$8

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 17 min
4 AM
1h 5m ★
6 AM
1h 10m
8 AM
1h 22m
10 AM
1h 14m
12 PM
1h 13m
3 PM
1h 15m
5 PM
1h 21m
8 PM
1h 7m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Washington Heights, NY, NY

Washington Heights, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Downtown Nesconset, NY, NY

Nesconset, NY

Sarah O'Shea

Trip Overview

The drive from Washington Heights, NY to Nesconset, NY covers 49.4 miles and takes about 1h 10m 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, Cross Bronx Expressway, Clearview Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 30.3 miles on Long Island Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.04 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

24.7 miles from Washington Heights, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 35m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 1h 10m highway drive covering 49.4 miles, with most of the trip on Long Island Expressway and Cross Bronx Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 30.3 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 24 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 30.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Island Expressway and Cross Bronx Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West 180th Street.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 49.4 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 0.1 miles (West 180th Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.3 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | West 180th Street

Turn left onto West 180th Street

Navigation decision point

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 lanes. Exit 6B Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge
8
13 mi into trip | ~19m 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
13.2 mi into trip | ~19m 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
43.8 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in

Take the exit toward NY 111: Smithtown, Islip

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 56 Toward NY 111: Smithtown, Islip

Towns Along This Route

Between Washington Heights, NY and Nesconset, NY, road signs point toward Eastern Long Island and Islip.

Eastern Long Island

13 mi in | ~19m

Islip

43.8 mi in | ~1h 1m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Long Island Expressway 30.3 mi 41m
Cross Bronx Expressway 6.1 mi 8m
Clearview Expressway 3.2 mi 3m
Throgs Neck Bridge 2 mi 3m
Wheeler Road 1.6 mi 2m
Nesconset Highway 1.5 mi 1m
Nesconset-Port Jefferson Highway 1.3 mi 2m
Express Drive South 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Long Island Expressway — 30.3 mi, about 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Washington Heights, NY and Nesconset, NY.

1

Start on Broadway

302 ft · 21 sec · Broadway
2

Turn left onto West 180th Street

292 ft · 17 sec · West 180th Street
3

Turn left onto Wadsworth Avenue

292 ft · 12 sec · Wadsworth Avenue
4

Turn right onto West 181st Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · West 181st Street
5

Continue on Washington Bridge

0.4 mi · 1 min · Washington Bridge
6

Take the ramp straight toward I 95 North: Cross Bronx Expressway, New England, Eastern Long Island

0.3 mi · 45 sec · I 95 North: Cross Bronx Expressway, New England, Eastern Long Island
7

Merge slight left onto Cross Bronx Expressway

4.1 mi · 5 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
8

Keep slight right to continue on Cross Bronx Expressway

2.0 mi · 2 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
9

Merge slight left onto Throgs Neck Expressway

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
10

Continue on Throgs Neck Bridge

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
11

Continue on Clearview Expressway

3.2 mi · 3 min · Clearview Expressway
12

Take the exit slight right toward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island

0.2 mi · 28 sec · I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
13

Keep slight left to continue on I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island

0.3 mi · 39 sec · I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
14

Merge slight left onto Long Island Expressway

30 mi · 41 min · Long Island Expressway
15

Take the exit slight right toward NY 111: Smithtown, Islip

0.1 mi · 14 sec · NY 111: Smithtown, Islip
16

Turn straight onto Express Drive South

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Express Drive South
17

Continue on Express Drive South

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Express Drive South
18

Turn left onto Wheeler Road

1.6 mi · 2 min · Wheeler Road
19

Continue on Townline Road

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Townline Road
20

Turn left onto Hauppauge Boulevard

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Hauppauge Boulevard
21

Turn slight right onto Nesconset-Port Jefferson Highway

1.3 mi · 2 min · Nesconset-Port Jefferson Highway
22

Continue on Nesconset Highway

1.5 mi · 1 min · Nesconset Highway
23

Turn right onto Lake Avenue South

59 ft · 2 sec · Lake Avenue South
24

Arrive at your destination

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 24.7 miles from Washington Heights, NY, or about 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.3 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 49.4 miles or 1h 10m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 24.7 miles or 35m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nesconset, 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 49.4 miles and 1h 10m.

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 Long Island Expressway for about 30.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 24.7 mi from Washington Heights, NY · 35m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hempstead, NY

25 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

Smithtown, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 49.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hempstead, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 24.7 miles from Washington Heights, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Nesconset, NY

The final approach into Nesconset, 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 Nesconset, NY.

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

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

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
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$8.04 one way

$16.08 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 17 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $8.72 $17.43
premium $4.88 $9.50 $18.99
diesel $5.64 $10.97 $21.95

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

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 17.3 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 14.8 0 $5.19 $2.37
Efficient EV 12.4 0 $4.32 $1.98
EV Truck/SUV 19.8 0 $6.92 $3.16

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.

Forecast data refreshed 4 hours ago

Origin

Washington Heights, NY

Morning in Washington Heights on Monday

Local time

8:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 8 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 13 at 12:55AM EDT until April 13 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Burlington VT

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 12:22AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

Destination

Nesconset, NY

Morning in Nesconset on Monday

Local time

8:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°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

17 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 10m 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 Washington Heights, NY to Nesconset, NY covers 49.4 miles and takes about 1h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Long Island Expressway, 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 24.7 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 $8.04 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 13 significant decision points across 49.4 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 0.1 miles (West 180th Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.3 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13 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 Nesconset, NY, road signs point toward Eastern Long Island and Islip.

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Return Trip

Nesconset, NY to Washington Heights, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

47.8 mi 1h 10m

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