How far is Washington Heights, NY from Chinatown, NY?
The driving distance from Washington Heights, NY to Chinatown, NY is about 11.9 miles (19.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 9.8 miles (15.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 24m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most densely populated borough of New York City.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Washington Heights and Chinatown.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington Heights and Chinatown.
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1
Start on Broadway
92 m · 21 sec · Broadway
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2
Turn left onto West 180th Street
1583 ft · 1 min · West 180th Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Amsterdam Avenue
117 m · 17 sec · Amsterdam Avenue
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4
Take the ramp left
3192 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight right onto Harlem River Drive
3 mi · 5 min · Harlem River Drive
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6
Continue on FDR Drive
6.6 mi · 12 min · FDR Drive
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Street, Williamsburg Bridge
936 ft · 29 sec
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8
Turn right onto Grand Street
1.5 km · 3 min · Grand Street
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9
Turn left onto Chrystie Street
142 m · 20 sec · Chrystie Street
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10
Turn right onto Hester Street
89 m · 17 sec · Hester Street
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11
Turn left onto Bowery
125 m · 20 sec · Bowery
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12
Turn right onto Canal Street
25 m · 3 sec · Canal Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Canal Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Washington Heights and Chinatown.
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.
FDR Drive
Continue on FDR Drive
6.56 mi · 00h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Washington Heights and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Chinatown.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Washington Heights to Chinatown?
The road trip is about 11.9 miles (19.1 km) and usually takes 00h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Manhattan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6 miles from Washington Heights and 6 miles from Chinatown.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 9.8 miles (15.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:40 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.80 one way or $3.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 3.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Washington Heights and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Chinatown.
Stop Ideas Near Manhattan
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 Personnel Office
Diamond City Hall Photography
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Manhattan.
Pennsylvania Station
Pennsylvania Station
Yonkers station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Washington Heights and Chinatown. Straight-line distance: 9.77 mi (15.72 km).
#1 Washington Heights
Located in the northern portion of the New York County borough of Manhattan, this residential neighborhood is situated on a high ridge between the Hudson and Harlem rivers.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.8501000, -73.9354100 |
| Altitude | 54 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chinatown
Chinatown is a place in New York, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.7164900, -73.9962500 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chinatown (-73.99625, 40.71649)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 19 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.29 | $1.80 | $3.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.86 | $2.04 | $4.08 |
| Premium | $5.25 | $2.21 | $4.41 |
| Diesel | $6.46 | $2.71 | $5.42 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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