This 72.9-mile drive from White Plains, NY to Brookhaven, NY should take you about 1 hour and 46 minutes, making it a manageable day trip. The route is heavily highway-focused, accounting for 81% of the journey, and is primarily on the Long Island Expressway and Hutchinson River Parkway. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this drive offers a straightforward transit within the Northeast region. There are no specific stops recommended, so you can keep moving or pull over as needed. This trip is best suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.4 miles from White Plains, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 72.9 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 (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 72.9-mile journey, with 81% of the drive utilizing major roadways like the Long Island Expressway. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 43.5 miles on the Long Island Expressway, offering a consistent pace. The Hutchinson River Parkway and Horseblock Road provide transitions, but the overall character is one of efficient travel. This route is designed for covering ground, so while not a scenic tour, it provides a practical way to get from White Plains to Brookhaven.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 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 43.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Island Expressway and Hutchinson River Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.9 miles you will encounter 25 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 13.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.9 miles (I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
13.9 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, Stillwell Avenue
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 2A
Toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, St...
8
13.9 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge
9
15.9 mi into trip|~27m in|I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway toward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 7A
Toward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Is...
8
23.2 mi into trip|~37m 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
23.4 mi into trip|~37m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between White Plains, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Hutchinson Parkway South, Long Island, Eastern Long Island, Centereach, Shirley and Cr 101: Yaphank - among others.
Hutchinson Parkway South
5.1 mi in|~10m
Long Island
15.9 mi in|~27m|via I 695
Eastern Long Island
23.2 mi in|~37m
Centereach
67.1 mi in|~1h 37m
Shirley
67.1 mi in|~1h 37m
Cr 101: Yaphank
67.4 mi in|~1h 37m|via Express Drive South
Riverhead
67.4 mi in|~1h 37m|via Express Drive South
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
43.5 mi
59m
Hutchinson River Parkway
8.5 mi
12m
Horseblock Road
4.1 mi
6m
Clearview Expressway
3.2 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Expressway
2.2 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Old Mamaroneck Road
1.8 mi
3m
Bruckner Expressway
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 43.5 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between White Plains, NY and Brookhaven, NY.
1
Start on NY 119
72 ft·7 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto NY 22
467 ft·8 sec·North Broadway
Use the left lane.
3
Turn slight left onto NY 119
121 ft·4 sec·Hamilton Avenue
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4
Continue on NY 22
0.4 mi·57 sec·North Broadway
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto South Broadway
0.1 mi·19 sec·South Broadway
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto Maple Avenue
0.1 mi·23 sec·Maple Avenue
7
Turn left onto NY 125
0.2 mi·30 sec·Mamaroneck Avenue
8
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 125
1.8 mi·3 min·Old Mamaroneck Road
9
Continue on NY 125
0.3 mi·30 sec·Secor Road
10
Keep slight right at fork
441 ft·9 sec
Toward New Rochelle, Mamaroneck, Larchmont
11
Turn straight onto Heathcote Bypass
1.0 mi·1 min·Heathcote Bypass
12
Turn straight onto NY 125
0.6 mi·1 min·Weaver Street
13
Turn right onto Stratton Road
0.2 mi·37 sec·Stratton Road
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto Pinebrook Boulevard
523 ft·16 sec·Pinebrook Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Hutchinson Parkway South
16
Merge onto Hutchinson River Parkway
2.7 mi·3 min·Hutchinson River Parkway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto Hutchinson River Parkway
5.9 mi·8 min·Hutchinson River Parkway
Toward Whitestone BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
141 ft·4 sec
Exit 2AToward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, Stillwell AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·47 sec
Toward I 95 South: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 95
0.4 mi·31 sec·New England Thruway
21
Continue on I 95
1.3 mi·2 min·Bruckner Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695
2.2 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Exit 7AToward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long IslandUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 295
3.2 mi·3 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 4E-WToward I 495: Manhattan, Eastern Long IslandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 4EToward I 495 East: Long Island Expressway, Eastern Long Island
27
Merge onto I 495
43 mi·59 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 65Toward CR 16: Horse Block Road, Centereach, ShirleyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
0.2 mi·21 sec·Express Drive South
Toward I 495, CR 101: Yaphank, Riverhead
30
Turn slight right onto CR 16
4.1 mi·6 min·Horseblock Road
Use the right lane.
31
At end of road, turn right onto CR 80
0.9 mi·1 min·Montauk Highway
Use the right lane.
32
Turn left onto CR 36
0.4 mi·50 sec·South Country Road
Use the left lane.
33
Arrive at destination
CR 36
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, this drive offers flexibility. Consider departing early to avoid potential traffic, especially on the Long Island Expressway. Since there are no mandatory stops, you can plan your breaks around your own schedule. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, with an estimated cost of $12 for the 72.9 miles. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the various exits and lane changes required as you navigate onto and off the Long Island Expressway, particularly as you approach your destination in Brookhaven.
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 36.4 miles from White Plains, NY, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.5 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 16 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.4 miles or 55m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brookhaven, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving White Plains, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from White Plains, NY
This is one driving day of about 72.9 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from White Plains, 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 43.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.4 mi from White Plains, NY
· 55m into the drive
The midpoint is around 36.4 miles from White Plains, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Brookhaven, NY
The final approach into Brookhaven, 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.
Fire Island National Seashore
National Seashore
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 72.9
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 15.1
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 15.1
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 22.6
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 20.1
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 22.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.00 one way
$24.00 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$12.98
$25.95
premium
$4.92
$14.13
$28.26
diesel
$5.61
$16.10
$32.19
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: 25.5 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
21.9
0
$7.65
$3.50
Efficient EV
18.2
0
$6.38
$2.92
EV Truck/SUV
29.2
0
$10.21
$4.67
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 15, 2026
Origin
White Plains, NY
Late night
in White Plains on Friday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brookhaven, NY
Late night
in Brookhaven on Friday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°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
15 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 White Plains, NY to Brookhaven, NY covers 72.9 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, Hutchinson River Parkway, Horseblock Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.4 miles from White Plains, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.00 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 72.9 miles you will encounter 25 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 13.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.9 miles (I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between White Plains, NY and Brookhaven, NY, road signs point toward Hutchinson Parkway South, Long Island, Eastern Long Island, Centereach, Shirley and Cr 101: Yaphank - among others.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Fire Island National Seashore, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and General Grant National Memorial. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the
methodology page.
