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Trip from New York City, NY to Laurel, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 6m

Distance

83.8 mi

135 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 58m ★
6 AM
2h 7m
8 AM
2h 25m
10 AM
2h 13m
12 PM
2h 11m
3 PM
2h 14m
5 PM
2h 24m
8 PM
2h 1m

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

most populous city in the United States

New York City, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Laurel, NY, NY

Laurel, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

New York City, NY to Laurel, NY is 83.8 miles and takes about 2h 6m via Long Island Expressway, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, making it a straightforward journey within the Northeast region. It's primarily a highway-focused drive, so expect consistent speeds and limited local road detours. This route is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Consider this an efficient way to navigate out of the city and onto Long Island.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

41.9 miles from New York City, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Long Island Expressway 66.1 mi 1h 30m
Route 25 4.7 mi 8m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway 4.4 mi 7m
Old Country Road 3.6 mi 7m
Brooklyn Bridge 1.1 mi 2m
Main Road 0.6 mi 1m
Prospect Street 0.2 mi <1m
Franklinville Road 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Long Island Expressway — 66.1 mi, about 1h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Laurel, 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 West Use 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 Expressway Use 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-B Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, 48th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 18 sec · this road
Exit 35 Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, 48 Street
17

Keep slight right at fork

308 ft · 8 sec
Exit 35B Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhead, 48th Street Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 35E Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhead Use 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

66 mi · 1 hr 30 min · Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 73 Toward CR 58 East: Old Country Road, Greenport, Orient
22

Keep slight left at fork

492 ft · 14 sec
Toward CR 58 east: Greenport, Orient
23

Turn straight onto CR 58

2.3 mi · 5 min · Old Country Road
Use the left lane.
24

Enter roundabout onto CR 58

108 ft · 6 sec · Old Country Road
Toward Aquebogue, Greenport, Orient
25

Continue on CR 58

1.3 mi · 2 min · Old Country Road
Toward Aquebogue, Greenport, Orient
26

Continue on NY 25

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Main Road
Use the left lane.
27

Continue on NY 25

4.7 mi · 8 min · Route 25
28

Continue on NY 25

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Main Road
29

Turn left onto Franklinville Road

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Franklinville Road
Use the left lane.
30

Turn left onto Aldrich Lane

61 ft · 1 sec · Aldrich Lane
31

Arrive at destination

Aldrich Lane

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of about 2 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Leaving New York City during off-peak hours, perhaps mid-morning or early afternoon, can help you avoid the heaviest traffic. With only 83.8 miles, you won't need to plan for extensive stops, but there are ample service areas along the Long Island Expressway if you need a break or fuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major exit is over 66 miles. The $14 fuel cost estimate suggests this is an economical trip, so don't stress too much about gas prices.

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 41.9 miles from New York City, NY, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.1 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 18 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 41.9 miles or 1h 3m 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 43m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving New York City, 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 New York City, NY

This is one driving day of about 83.8 miles and 2h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from New York City, 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 66.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

hamlet on Long Island, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Melville, NY

42 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

Hillside, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Westbury, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41.9 miles from New York City, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Long Island Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.1 miles.

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 25

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 6.6 — 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.
7
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Centre Street

Turn right onto Centre 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...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.79 one way

$27.59 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $14.92 $29.83
premium $4.92 $16.24 $32.48
diesel $5.61 $18.50 $37.00

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 29.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 25.1 0 $8.80 $4.02
Efficient EV 21 0 $7.33 $3.35
EV Truck/SUV 33.5 0 $11.73 $5.36

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (66% 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 15, 2026

Origin

New York City, NY

Morning in New York City on Sunday

Local time

6:31 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Laurel, NY

Morning in Laurel on Sunday

Local time

6:31 AM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

55°F

Melville, NY

42 mi in

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

8 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

2h 6m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...

0 mi from route Free
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...

1 mi from route ~1 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Governors Island National Monument

Governors Island National Monument

National Monument

From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Statue Of Liberty National Monument

Statue Of Liberty National Monument

National Monument

A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 90% of the journey on major roadways like the Long Island Expressway and Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. You'll experience a consistent driving pace for most of the 83.8 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 66.1 miles on the Long Island Expressway, meaning you can settle in for a good portion of the drive. While the main roads are highways, Route 25 offers a slight change of pace as you get closer to Laurel. Overall, expect a smooth, albeit highway-centric, experience behind the wheel.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.1 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 Route 25. 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 Effort 10/10

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

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 83.8 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: near the start (Chambers Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (Centre 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.

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 Laurel, NY, road signs point toward Eastern Long Island, Riverhead, Greenport, Orient, Cr 58 East: Greenport and Aquebogue.

Eastern Long Island

6.3 mi in | ~13m

Riverhead

6.5 mi in | ~13m

Greenport

73.8 mi in | ~1h 46m

Orient

73.8 mi in | ~1h 46m

Cr 58 East: Greenport

74.6 mi in | ~1h 48m

Aquebogue

76.9 mi in | ~1h 53m | via CR 58

About the Cities

Starting in New York City, NY

Full guide →

“The City That Never Sleeps” · Founded 1624

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

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 2h 6m. Total distance: 83.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 66.1 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 Laurel, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Chambers Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (Centre 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.

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 Laurel, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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