The drive from Washington Heights, NY to Ridge, NY covers 63.7 miles and takes about 1h 32m 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, Middle Country Road, Cross Bronx 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 $10.49 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
31.8 miles from Washington Heights, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 63.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 32m highway drive covering 63.7 miles, with most of the trip on Long Island Expressway and Middle Country Road. 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 25 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 Middle Country Road. 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.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 63.7 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 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 14 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 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 Ridge, NY, road signs point toward Eastern Long Island, Islip, Middle Country Road East, Centereach and Riverhead.
Eastern Long Island
13 mi in|~19m
Islip
43.8 mi in|~1h 1m
Middle Country Road East
50.4 mi in|~1h 11m
Centereach
50.4 mi in|~1h 11m
Riverhead
50.4 mi in|~1h 11m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
30.3 mi
41m
Middle Country Road
13.1 mi
20m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.1 mi
8m
Clearview Expressway
3.2 mi
3m
Nesconset Highway
2.5 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Wheeler Road
1.6 mi
2m
Nesconset-Port Jefferson Highway
1.3 mi
2m
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 Ridge, 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
5
Continue on Washington Bridge
0.4 mi·1 min·Washington Bridge
Use the straight lane.
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 straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
10
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 295
3.2 mi·3 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 4E-WToward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long IslandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 4EToward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
14
Merge onto I 495
30 mi·41 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 56Toward NY 111: Smithtown, IslipUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
0.2 mi·23 sec·Express Drive South
17
Continue on Express Drive South
0.4 mi·44 sec·Express Drive South
18
Turn left onto NY 111
1.6 mi·2 min·Wheeler Road
19
Continue on NY 111
0.1 mi·17 sec·Townline Road
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto NY 111
0.4 mi·35 sec·Hauppauge Boulevard
Use the left lane.
21
Turn slight right onto NY 347
1.3 mi·2 min·Nesconset-Port Jefferson Highway
22
Continue on NY 347
2.5 mi·3 min·Nesconset Highway
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward Route 25, Middle Country Road EAST, Centereach, Riverhead
24
Turn right onto NY 25
13 mi·20 min·Middle Country Road
Use the straight lane.
25
Arrive at destination
NY 25
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 31.8 miles from Washington Heights, NY, or about 45m 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 14 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.8 miles or 45m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ridge, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Washington Heights, NY
This is one driving day of about 63.7 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Washington Heights, 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 30.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.8 mi from Washington Heights, NY
· 45m into the drive
The midpoint is around 31.8 miles from Washington Heights, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ridge, NY
The final approach into Ridge, 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.49 one way
$20.97 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg22 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$11.34
$22.68
premium
$4.92
$12.35
$24.69
diesel
$5.61
$14.06
$28.13
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
$10
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.1
0
$6.69
$3.06
Efficient EV
15.9
0
$5.57
$2.55
EV Truck/SUV
25.5
0
$8.92
$4.08
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Washington Heights, NY
Afternoon
in Washington Heights on Friday
Local time
3:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ridge, NY
Afternoon
in Ridge on Friday
Local time
3:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Melville, NY
32 mi in
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 32m 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 Ridge, NY covers 63.7 miles and takes about 1h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Long Island Expressway, Middle Country Road, 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 31.8 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 $10.49 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 63.7 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 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 Ridge, NY, road signs point toward Eastern Long Island, Islip, Middle Country Road East, Centereach and Riverhead.
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.
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.
