Origin
Middle Island, NY
Morning in Middle Island on Tuesday
Local time
11:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Middle Island, NY to Manhattan, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 33m
Distance
63 mi
101 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 27m
★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 47m
8 PM
1h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Middle Island, NY
Sarah O'Shea
Manhattan, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Middle Island, NY to Manhattan, NY is 63 miles and takes about 1h 33m via Long Island Expressway, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, connecting two points in the Northeast region. It's a straightforward drive, largely on major highways, making it a convenient option for a quick commute or a short day trip. The relatively low fuel cost and short duration mean you can easily fit this into a busy schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
31.5 miles from Middle Island, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Long Island Expressway | 49.4 mi | 1h 7m |
| Middle Country Road | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| Patchogue-Mount Sinai Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Level | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| North Ocean Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Queensboro Plaza | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Madison Avenue | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| 3rd Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 49.4 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Middle Island, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on this road
28 ft
·
4 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto NY 25
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Middle Country Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto CR 83
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Patchogue-Mount Sinai Road
4
Continue on CR 83
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Ocean Avenue
5
Turn right onto Express Drive North
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Express Drive North
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 495 West: New York
7
Merge onto I 495
49 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 16
Toward Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, Hunters Point Avenue, Greenpoint Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto Laurel Hill Boulevard
80 ft
·
2 sec
·
Laurel Hill Boulevard
10
Keep slight right at fork onto Hunters Point Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Hunters Point Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto Van Dam Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Van Dam Street
12
Continue on Van Dam Street
113 ft
·
8 sec
·
Van Dam Street
13
Turn left onto NY 25
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Queens Boulevard
14
Continue on NY 25
0.7 mi
·
57 sec
·
Queensboro Plaza
15
Continue on NY 25
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Level
16
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 25
317 ft
·
11 sec
·
NY 25
Toward 60th Street West
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto East 60th Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
East 60th Street
18
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto East 72nd Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
East 72nd Street
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Madison Avenue
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Avenue
21
Turn left onto East 85th Street
507 ft
·
12 sec
·
East 85th Street
22
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
86th Street Transverse
Toward West Side
23
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1h 33m, this is a perfect same-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Leaving during off-peak hours can help you avoid any potential traffic delays on the Long Island Expressway. With only 63 miles and a fuel cost around $10, you won't need many stops, but it's always wise to ensure you have at least a half tank of gas before hitting the highway. Keep an eye on your GPS for the most efficient transition from surface streets to the expressway system as you leave Middle Island.
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 31.5 miles from Middle Island, NY, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.4 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 14 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.5 miles or 44m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manhattan, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Middle Island, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Middle Island, NY
This is one driving day of about 63 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Middle Island, 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 49.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31.5 miles from Middle Island, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 61 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
NY 25 / Middle Country Road
Turn right onto NY 25 / Middle Country Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
57.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, Hunters Point Avenue, Greenpoint 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 16
Toward Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, Hunters Point...
6
58.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
Hunters Point Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto Hunters Point Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
60.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
|
NY 25
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 25 toward 60th Street West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 60th Street West
6
61 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
|
3rd Avenue
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.37 one way
$20.74 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $11.21 | $22.43 |
| premium | $4.92 | $12.21 | $24.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.91 | $27.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.9 | 0 | $6.61 | $3.02 |
| Efficient EV | 15.8 | 0 | $5.51 | $2.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.2 | 0 | $8.82 | $4.03 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Morning in Manhattan on Tuesday
Local time
11:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°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
13 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 33m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 79% of it on major roads. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 49.4 miles on the Long Island Expressway. The route begins with surface roads like Middle Country Road and Patchogue-Mount Sinai Road before transitioning to the expressway. Expect a dense series of exits as you approach your destination in Manhattan.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.4 mi on Long Island Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Island Expressway and Middle Country Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near NY 25 / Middle Country Road.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 63 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (NY 25 / Middle Country Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 57.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.1 miles (Hunters Point Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Manhattan, NY
Full guide →Founded 1624
Wall Street. Madison Avenue. 34th Street. Broadway. Times Square. Manhattan is so well known that even the names of its streets have become iconic and understood the world over. This long, thin island is only one of New York City's five boroughs, but it's Manhattan that has the concrete canyons and the inimitable skyline; Manhattan that has the world's brightest theater district; Manhattan that has Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and the Met; and Manhattan that includes iconic neighborhoods like Harlem, the Upper East Side, Times Square, and Greenwich Village. The rest of New York City has much to see and do, but it's Manhattan that represents the city—and sometimes the entire United States—to the world. You could spend a month on this tiny island and still not see all there is to see.
Top landmarks
- • Empire State Building — skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USA
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 63 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.4 miles on Long Island Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Manhattan, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (NY 25 / Middle Country Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 57.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.1 miles (Hunters Point Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Manhattan, NY before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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