The drive from Washington Heights, NY to Riverhead, NY covers 75.7 miles and takes about 1h 46m 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, Nugent Drive for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 57.4 miles on Long Island Expressway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.46 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
37.9 miles from Washington Heights, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 75.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 46m highway drive covering 75.7 miles, with most of the trip on Long Island Expressway and Cross Bronx Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 57.4 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 22 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 57.4 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 5.3 miles in near I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.7 miles you will encounter 15 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 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; at 13.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
70.9 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward NY 24: Hampton Bays, Calverton
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 71
Toward NY 24: Hampton Bays, Calverton
9
71.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 24 East, CR 94 East: Suffolk County Center, Hampton Bays, Montauk, Riverhead
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward NY 24 East, CR 94 East: Suffolk County C...
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 Riverhead, NY, road signs point toward Eastern Long Island, Calverton, Cr 94 East: Suffolk County Center, Hampton Bays and Montauk.
Eastern Long Island
13 mi in|~19m
Calverton
70.9 mi in|~1h 38m
Cr 94 East: Suffolk County Center
71.1 mi in|~1h 38m
Hampton Bays
71.1 mi in|~1h 38m
Montauk
71.1 mi in|~1h 38m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
57.4 mi
1h 18m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.1 mi
8m
Nugent Drive
4.1 mi
6m
Clearview Expressway
3.2 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Expressway
0.6 mi
<1m
Washington Bridge
0.4 mi
1m
West 181st Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 57.4 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington Heights, NY and Riverhead, 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
57 mi·1 hr 18 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 71Toward NY 24: Hampton Bays, CalvertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
230 ft·7 sec
Toward NY 24 East, CR 94 East: Suffolk County Center, Hampton Bays, Montauk, RiverheadUse the right lane.
17
Turn right onto CR 94
0.2 mi·17 sec·Edwards Avenue
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on CR 94
4.1 mi·6 min·Nugent Drive
Use the straight lane.
19
Enter roundabout onto CR 63
343 ft·19 sec·Peconic Avenue
20
Continue on CR 63
0.2 mi·23 sec·Peconic Avenue
21
At end of road, turn right onto NY 25
140 ft·5 sec·East Main Street
Use the right lane.
22
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 37.9 miles from Washington Heights, NY, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.4 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 17 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.9 miles or 53m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Riverhead, 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 75.7 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 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 57.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37.9 mi from Washington Heights, NY
· 53m into the drive
The midpoint is around 37.9 miles from Washington Heights, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Riverhead, NY
The final approach into Riverhead, 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...
Immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife, Fire Island has been a special...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 57.4
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.46 one way
$24.92 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$13.47
$26.95
premium
$4.92
$14.67
$29.34
diesel
$5.61
$16.71
$33.43
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
$12
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.7
0
$7.95
$3.63
Efficient EV
18.9
0
$6.62
$3.03
EV Truck/SUV
30.3
0
$10.60
$4.84
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 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 as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Washington Heights, NY
Late night
in Washington Heights on Friday
Local time
2:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Riverhead, NY
Late night
in Riverhead on Friday
Local time
2:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°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
6 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 46m 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 Riverhead, NY covers 75.7 miles and takes about 1h 46m 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, Nugent Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.9 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 $12.46 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 75.7 miles you will encounter 15 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 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; at 13.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Washington Heights, NY and Riverhead, NY, road signs point toward Eastern Long Island, Calverton, Cr 94 East: Suffolk County Center, Hampton Bays and Montauk.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Fire Island National Seashore. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
