Trip from Yonkers, NY to Brooklyn, NY

Drive Time

44m

Distance

24.3 mi

39 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 11 min

4 AM

0h 41m ★

6 AM

0h 45m

8 AM

0h 52m

10 AM

0h 48m

12 PM

0h 47m

3 PM

0h 48m

5 PM

0h 52m

8 PM

0h 43m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Yonkers, NY

Malcolm Garret

Brooklyn, NY

Cristian Pedroso

Trip Overview

Traveling from Yonkers to Brooklyn covers 24.3 miles, a quick journey that typically takes about 44 minutes depending on traffic. Because of the relatively short distance, this trip is easily manageable as a one-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily utilize the Major Deegan Expressway and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West, with some local navigation on South Broadway. Budgeting roughly $4 for fuel should be sufficient for the trip, making this an economical transit between these two New York locations. Since both points are located within the Northeast, you will remain in a familiar regional environment throughout the entire drive. This route is a straightforward practical connection rather than a scenic getaway, perfect for those needing to cross the city efficiently.

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

12.1 miles from Yonkers, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions from local streets to major urban expressways. With 56% of the route consisting of highway travel, you will spend a significant portion of your time navigating high-capacity lanes. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Major Deegan Expressway, spanning 6.2 miles of the total distance. As you move from the northern reaches of Yonkers toward the dense environment of Brooklyn, the road's personality shifts from surface-level transit to complex expressway interchanges. Be prepared for the constant changes in pace that come with driving through this dense urban corridor.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Major Deegan Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 6.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in near Van Cortlandt Park South.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 24.3 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 3.2 miles (Van Cortlandt Park South): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.2 miles (I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.

3.2 mi into trip | ~6m in | Van Cortlandt Park South

Turn left onto Van Cortlandt Park South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

9.7 mi into trip | ~16m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 278 West: RFK Bridge, Manhattan, Queens

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 278 West: RFK Bridge, Manhattan, Queen...

13.2 mi into trip | ~23m in | I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West

Keep slight right at fork onto I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, Staten Island

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, Staten Island

18.9 mi into trip | ~32m in | I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway toward I 278 West: Staten Island

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 278 West: Staten Island

19.7 mi into trip | ~33m in

Take the exit toward Wythe Avenue, Kent Avenue

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 31 Toward Wythe Avenue, Kent Avenue

Towns Along This Route

Between Yonkers, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island.

Queens

3.3 mi in | ~6m

Manhattan

9.7 mi in | ~16m

Staten Island

13.2 mi in | ~23m | via I 278

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Major Deegan Expressway	6.2 mi	9m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West	5.7 mi	9m
South Broadway	3.1 mi	6m
Washington Avenue	2.4 mi	5m
Robert F. Kennedy Bridge	2.3 mi	4m
Grand Central Parkway	0.8 mi	1m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway	0.8 mi	1m
Flatbush Avenue	0.7 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Major Deegan Expressway — 6.2 mi, about 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Yonkers, NY and Brooklyn, NY.

Start on US 9; NY 9A

3.1 mi · 6 min · South Broadway

Use the none lane.

Turn slight left

235 ft · 14 sec

Turn left onto Van Cortlandt Park South

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Van Cortlandt Park South

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Toward I 87 South: Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, Queens

Merge onto I 87

6.2 mi · 9 min · Major Deegan Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 50 sec

Toward I 278 West: RFK Bridge, Manhattan, Queens Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 278

2.3 mi · 4 min · Robert F. Kennedy Bridge

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 278; GCP

0.8 mi · 1 min · Grand Central Parkway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 278

5.7 mi · 9 min · Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West

Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, Staten Island Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 278

0.8 mi · 1 min · Brooklyn-Queens Expressway

Toward I 278 West: Staten Island Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Exit 31 Toward Wythe Avenue, Kent Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto Williamsburg Street West

0.3 mi · 58 sec · Williamsburg Street West

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Turn right onto Flushing Avenue

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Flushing Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Washington Avenue

2.4 mi · 5 min · Washington Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto Empire Boulevard

413 ft · 18 sec · Empire Boulevard

Turn left onto Flatbush Avenue

0.7 mi · 2 min · Flatbush Avenue

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn left onto NY 27

0.2 mi · 12 sec · Caton Avenue

Continue on NY 27

0.4 mi · 31 sec · Linden Boulevard

Use the left / none lanes.

Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Nostrand Avenue

Arrive at destination

Nostrand Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a quick 44-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, but keep in mind that urban congestion can easily impact your travel time. Avoid peak rush hours if you want to maintain the estimated duration, as traffic patterns on these expressways are notoriously unpredictable. You will not need to plan for any formal stops given the short 24.3-mile length of the trip, allowing you to head straight to your destination. A helpful tip for this specific route is to keep your fuel tank topped off before leaving Yonkers, as finding convenient, low-cost gas stations can become more challenging once you merge onto the busy Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.

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 12.1 miles from Yonkers, NY, or about 21m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.2 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 24.3 miles or 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 12.1 miles or 21m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brooklyn, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Yonkers, 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 Yonkers, NY

This is one driving day of about 24.3 miles and 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Yonkers, 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 Major Deegan Expressway for about 6.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 12.1 mi from Yonkers, NY · 21m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

The Bronx, NY

12 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.

Popular next leg

The Bronx, NY to Brooklyn, NY

19.8 mi · 39m

Pacing Suggestions

East Flatbush, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 24.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

The Bronx, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 12.1 miles from Yonkers, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Brooklyn, NY

The final approach into Brooklyn, 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 Brooklyn, NY.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$3.96 one way

$7.91 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 9 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.48	$4.29	$8.57
premium	$4.88	$4.67	$9.34
diesel	$5.64	$5.40	$10.80

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$29–$54

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 8.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	7.3	$2.55	$1.17
Efficient EV	6.1	$2.13	$0.97
EV Truck/SUV	9.7	$3.40	$1.56

Gas CO2

9 kg

EV CO2

3 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Yonkers, NY

Evening in Yonkers on Sunday

Local time

8:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brooklyn, NY

Evening in Brooklyn on Sunday

Local time

8:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°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

2 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

44m 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 Yonkers, NY to Brooklyn, NY covers 24.3 miles and takes about 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Major Deegan Expressway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West, South Broadway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 12.1 miles from Yonkers, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.96 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.

Between Yonkers, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island.

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Return Trip

Brooklyn, NY to Yonkers, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

24.4 mi 46m

Explore more options from Yonkers, NY or browse trips ending in Brooklyn, NY.

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Trip from Yonkers, NY to Brooklyn, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Brooklyn, NY

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Yonkers, NY

Brooklyn, NY

Same local time

2 degrees cooler at arrival

44m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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