Long Island Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Trip from New York City, NY to Water Mill, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 19m
Distance
94.8 mi
153 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 10m
★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 39m
10 AM
2h 26m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 27m
5 PM
2h 38m
8 PM
2h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New York City, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Water Mill, NY
Sherry
Trip Overview
New York City to Water Mill is 94.8 miles and takes about 2h 19m via Long Island Expressway and Sunrise Highway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the urban Northeast to the coastal Northeast. It's a straightforward drive that primarily uses major highways, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway. With a recommended single day for travel, you can easily reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The total distance is manageable, so you can expect a relatively quick transit time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.4 miles from New York City, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Long Island Expressway | 60.7 mi | 1h 23m |
| Sunrise Highway | 13.2 mi | 15m |
| County Road 39 | 5.5 mi | 11m |
| Captain Daniel Roe Highway | 4.6 mi | 7m |
| Brooklyn-Queens Expressway | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| Montauk Highway | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Brooklyn Bridge | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Prospect Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 60.7 mi, about 1h 23m
Traffic on I-495
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~4,880 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~521 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 24 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Water Mill, 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
61 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 70
Toward CR 111: Manorville, Eastport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto CR 111
4.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Captain Daniel Roe Highway
Use the right lane.
23
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
Toward NY 27 East: Montauk
24
Merge onto NY 27
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Sunrise Highway
25
Continue on NY 27; CR 39
5.5 mi
·
11 min
·
County Road 39
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto Montauk Highway
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Montauk Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
27
Turn left onto Scuttle Hole Road
33 ft
·
0 sec
·
Scuttle Hole Road
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
Scuttle Hole Road
Trip Plan
Since this 94.8-mile trip can be completed in under 2.5 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning or mid-afternoon can help you avoid the heaviest traffic out of New York City. The drive is mostly highway, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, though the $17 estimated cost suggests you won't need to fill up multiple times. Consider County Road 39 as the point where the driving feel changes from highway to more local roads. With only one recommended day, you can easily make this a same-day trip and enjoy your time in Water Mill.
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 47.4 miles from New York City, NY, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.7 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 21 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.4 miles or 1h 10m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Water Mill, 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 94.8 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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 60.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 47.4 miles from New York City, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Long Island Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.3 mi from route
Fred R. Harrison Service Complex
1.6 mi from route
GPS Roofing
1.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 68.3 — 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
68.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward CR 111: Manorville, Eastport
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 70
Toward CR 111: Manorville, Eastport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.83 one way
$33.65 round trip
$4.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.85 | $18.09 | $36.17 |
| premium | $5.24 | $19.55 | $39.11 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $19.97 | $39.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.95 | $4.55 |
| Efficient EV | 23.7 | 0 | $8.30 | $3.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.9 | 0 | $13.27 | $6.07 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% 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.
Origin
New York City, NY
Afternoon in New York City on Wednesday
Local time
4:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
W 9 to 14 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 29 at 3:44AM EDT until May 29 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Destination
Water Mill, NY
Afternoon in Water Mill on Wednesday
Local time
4:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Sunny
W 7 to 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 29 at 3:44AM EDT until May 29 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
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
4 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
2h 19m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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
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
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
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
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
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, with 69% of the 94.8 miles spent on major routes like the Long Island Expressway and Sunrise Highway. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 60.7 miles on the Long Island Expressway. Expect to transition from highway cruising to surface roads, such as County Road 39, as you approach your destination. Given the highway share, be prepared for a steady pace with frequent exits.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.7 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 Sunrise Highway. 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 24 significant decision points across 94.8 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 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
210 ft
15 ft
Total Climb
313 ft
Total Descent
332 ft
Highest Point
210 ft
~33.9 mi in
Elevation Range
195 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Water Mill, NY, road signs point toward Eastern Long Island, Riverhead, Cr 111: Manorville and Eastport.
Eastern Long Island
6.3 mi in
|
~13m
Riverhead
6.5 mi in
|
~13m
Cr 111: Manorville
68.3 mi in
|
~1h 39m
Eastport
68.3 mi in
|
~1h 39m
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
Arriving in Water Mill, NY
Full guide →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 19m. Total distance: 94.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.7 miles on Long Island Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Water Mill, 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. There are 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 Water Mill, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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