If you are planning a trip from New York City to Commack, you are looking at a manageable 44.6-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 8 minutes. This highway-focused route is ideal for a quick day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $7 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. Navigating out of the city and onto Long Island is straightforward, as the path relies heavily on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and the Long Island Expressway. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, this simple Northeast corridor drive gets you where you need to be efficiently.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
31.4 mi
44m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
4.4 mi
7m
Commack Road
2.7 mi
4m
L I Exwy Service Road
1.4 mi
1m
South Service Road
1.3 mi
1m
Brooklyn Bridge
1.1 mi
2m
Prospect Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Chambers Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 31.4 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Commack, NY.
1
Start on Broadway
79 ft·10 sec·Broadway
2
Turn left onto Chambers Street
0.1 mi·36 sec·Chambers Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Turn right onto Centre Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·Centre Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Continue on Brooklyn Bridge
1.1 mi·2 min·Brooklyn Bridge
5
Take the exit
343 ft·9 sec
Toward I 278: Brooklyn Queens Expressway, Cadman Plaza WestUse the right lane.
6
Turn right
254 ft·9 sec
Toward I 278: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
7
Turn right onto Cadman Plaza West
31 ft·1 sec·Cadman Plaza West
8
Turn slight right
223 ft·8 sec
Toward Brooklyn-Queens Expressway East
9
Turn slight right onto Prospect Street
0.2 mi·52 sec·Prospect Street
Use the right lane.
10
Turn right onto Jay Street
276 ft·17 sec·Jay Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
At end of road, turn left onto Sands Street
56 ft·2 sec·Sands Street
Use the left lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 278 East: Triborough Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens ExpresswayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 278
3.6 mi·5 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278
0.8 mi·1 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 35A-BToward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, 48th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·18 sec·this road
Exit 35Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, 48 Street
17
Keep slight right at fork
308 ft·8 sec
Exit 35BToward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhead, 48th StreetUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 35EToward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, RiverheadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island
20
Merge onto I 495
31 mi·44 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 51Toward NY 231: Northport, BabylonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto South Service Road
1.3 mi·1 min·South Service Road
23
Continue on L I Exwy Service Road
1.4 mi·1 min·L I Exwy Service Road
24
Turn left onto CR 4
2.7 mi·4 min·Commack Road
Use the straight lane.
25
Arrive at destination
CR 4
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 22.3 miles from New York City, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 39.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Chambers Street
Turn left onto Chambers Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
6.3 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, 48th Street
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 35A-B
Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Isla...
10
6.5 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhead, 48th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 35B
Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhe...
9
6.6 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhead
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 35E
Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhe...
8
39.1 mi into trip|~1h in
Take the exit toward NY 231: Northport, Babylon
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 51
Toward NY 231: Northport, Babylon
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.34 one way
$14.68 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg16 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$7.94
$15.88
premium
$4.92
$8.64
$17.29
diesel
$5.61
$9.85
$19.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging
· 0 stops
· 69% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
13.4
0
$4.68
$2.14
Efficient EV
11.2
0
$3.90
$1.78
EV Truck/SUV
17.8
0
$6.24
$2.85
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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 18, 2026
Origin
New York City, NY
Morning
in New York City on Sunday
Local time
6:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
E 6 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
Destination
Commack, NY
Morning
in Commack on Sunday
Local time
6:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
North Hills, NY
22 mi in
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 8m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by high-speed transit, as 80% of your travel takes place on major highways. The experience is dominated by an extended 31.4-mile stretch along the Long Island Expressway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. While the initial portion of the trip involves the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, the road eventually transitions toward local access via Commack Road as you approach your destination. The personality of this route is functional and direct rather than scenic, providing a consistent pace for the majority of the hour-long commute. You will spend most of your time in the flow of heavy highway traffic, so prepare for a focused, steady driving experience.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.4 mi on Long Island Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Island Expressway and Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Chambers Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 44.6 miles you will encounter 20 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 (Chambers Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
55 ft7 ft
Total Climb
69 ft
Total Descent
48 ft
Highest Point
55 ft
~14.9 mi in
Elevation Range
49 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New York City, NY and Commack, NY, road signs point toward Eastern Long Island, Riverhead and Babylon.
New York (known as "The Big Apple", "NYC," and often called "New York City") is a global center for media, entertainment, art, fashion, research, finance, and trade. The bustling, cosmopolitan heart of the 4th largest metropolis in the world and by far the most populous city in the United States, New York has long been a key entry point and a defining city for the nation.
From the Statue of Liberty in the harbor to the Empire State Building towering over the Manhattan skyline, from the tunnels of the subway to the riches of Wall Street, from the bright signs of Times Square to the naturalistic beauty of Central Park, and from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York's landmarks are quintessential American landmarks. The city's neighborhoods and streets are so iconic they have become ingrained into the American consciousness.
Top landmarks
•Statue of Liberty — American icon in New York, United States
•National September 11 Memorial & Museum — memorial & museum in New York City commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks
•Plaza Hotel — hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York City
This is a perfect same-day round trip for a weekend. At only 44.6 miles and an estimated 1 hour 8 minutes, you'll be there and back with plenty of time.
Family Friendly
The 10/10 complexity makes this route challenging for families, especially with young kids. It's short at 44.6 miles, but the navigation could be stressful.
Solo Traveler
While the drive is short at 44.6 miles, the 10/10 complexity might be a bit much for a relaxed solo cruise. You'll be navigating a lot.
EV Driver
This 44.6-mile trip is easily doable on a single charge for most EVs, making it a breeze for electric travel.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.4 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 Commack, 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 (Chambers Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Commack, NY before heading back.
