How far is Washington Heights, NY from Brooklyn, NY?
The driving distance from Washington Heights, NY to Brooklyn, NY is about 17.8 miles (28.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13.9 miles (22.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 50m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A hamlet in the Town of Mount Pleasant, New York.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Washington Heights and Brooklyn.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington Heights and Brooklyn.
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1
Start on West 181st Street
27 m · 9 sec · West 181st Street
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2
Turn left onto Broadway
91 m · 19 sec · Broadway
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3
Turn left onto West 180th Street
1583 ft · 1 min · West 180th Street
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Amsterdam Avenue
117 m · 17 sec · Amsterdam Avenue
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5
Take the ramp left
3192 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight right onto Harlem River Drive
2.6 mi · 4 min · Harlem River Drive
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 278 Toll: Robert F Kennedy Bridge, Bruckner Expressway, Grand Central Parkway
1935 ft · 1 min
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8
Continue on Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
1871 ft · 40 sec · Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 278 West: Queens, Airports, Citi Field
2667 ft · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
1.5 mi · 3 min · Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
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11
Continue on Grand Central Parkway
1.3 km · 2 min · Grand Central Parkway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
5.7 mi · 9 min · Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
1.2 km · 1 min · Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Wythe Avenue, Kent Avenue
745 ft · 18 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Williamsburg Street West
1477 ft · 59 sec · Williamsburg Street West
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16
Turn right onto Flushing Avenue
1375 ft · 35 sec · Flushing Avenue
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17
Turn left onto Washington Avenue
2.4 mi · 6 min · Washington Avenue
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18
Turn right onto Empire Boulevard
126 m · 19 sec · Empire Boulevard
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19
Turn left onto Flatbush Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · Flatbush Avenue
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20
Turn left onto Caton Avenue
955 ft · 16 sec · Caton Avenue
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21
Continue on Linden Boulevard
1856 ft · 39 sec · Linden Boulevard
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22
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
927 ft · 35 sec · Nostrand Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Nostrand Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Washington Heights and Brooklyn.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
Keep slight right to continue on Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
5.73 mi · 00h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Washington Heights and Sunny near Brooklyn.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Washington Heights to Brooklyn?
The road trip is about 17.8 miles (28.6 km) and usually takes 00h 50m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Richmond Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.1 miles from Washington Heights and 8.6 miles from Brooklyn.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13.9 miles (22.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:48 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.80 one way or $5.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Washington Heights and Sunny near Brooklyn.
Stop Ideas Near Richmond Hill
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Parking Lot
The Yard: City Hall Park NYC
CITY HALL LOBBY
Diamond City Hall Photography
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Richmond Hill.
Pennsylvania Station
New Rochelle station
Yonkers station
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Washington Heights and Brooklyn. Straight-line distance: 13.84 mi (22.27 km).
#1 Washington Heights
Washington Heights is a place in New York, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.8501000, -73.9354100 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Brooklyn
A borough of New York City.
| Population | 2,577,000 |
| Coordinates | 40.6501000, -73.9495800 |
| Altitude | 15 |
| Country | United States |
End: Nostrand Avenue (-73.949499, 40.650105)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 29 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.45 | $2.80 | $5.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.98 | $3.14 | $6.28 |
| Premium | $5.38 | $3.39 | $6.78 |
| Diesel | $6.51 | $4.10 | $8.20 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in New York · Oct 15, 2026