Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 13m
Distance
46.8 mi
75 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
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
West Bay Shore, NY
Sarah O'Shea
If you are looking to escape the city for a quick getaway, the 46.8-mile drive from New York City to West Bay Shore is an ideal candidate for a one-day excursion. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 13 minutes behind the wheel, depending on traffic conditions as you navigate out of the city. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $7, this route is as cost-effective as it is straightforward. You will primarily utilize the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, the Van Wyck Expressway, and the Sunrise Highway to reach your destination on Long Island. Given the short duration and distance, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to head out in the morning and return at your leisure without needing overnight accommodations.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise Highway | 23.1 mi | 30m |
| Brooklyn-Queens Expressway | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| Van Wyck Expressway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Long Island Expressway | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Belt Parkway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Union Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Grand Central Parkway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Brooklyn Bridge | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and West Bay Shore, NY.
Start on Broadway
Turn left onto Chambers Street
Turn right onto Centre Street
Continue on Brooklyn Bridge
Take the exit
Turn right
Turn right onto Cadman Plaza West
Turn slight right
Turn slight right onto Prospect Street
Turn right onto Jay Street
At end of road, turn left onto Sands Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 278
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Take the ramp
Merge onto GCP
Take the exit
Merge onto I 678
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto BP
Take the exit
Continue on NY 27
Continue on NY 27
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Sunrise Highway
Turn right onto Henry Street
Turn left onto Higbie Lane
At end of road, turn right onto CR 82
Continue on CR 82
Turn left onto CR 50
Turn right onto Thompson Drive
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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.
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23.4 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.3 and 17.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 27 East: Eastern Long Island, Belt Parkway East, South Conduit Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward Belt Parkway East, Eastern Long Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$7.70 one way
$15.41 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $8.33 | $16.66 |
| premium | $4.92 | $9.07 | $18.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.33 | $20.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.4 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 | 14 | 0 | $4.91 | $2.25 |
| Efficient EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.10 | $1.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.7 | 0 | $6.55 | $3.00 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in New York City on Sunday
Local time
12:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in West Bay Shore on Sunday
Local time
12:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This 46.8-mile journey offers a mixed driving experience that transitions from dense urban transit to suburban roadways. You will navigate approximately 31% of the route on highways, which requires focused attention as you maneuver through the city's complex expressway network. Once you clear the initial congestion, the drive opens up, featuring a longest uninterrupted stretch of 23.1 miles along the Sunrise Highway. This segment provides a more consistent pace compared to the stop-and-go nature of the urban expressways you encounter at the start. Expect the character of the road to shift significantly as you move away from the city center and settle into the rhythm of the Long Island highway system.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.3 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 46.8 miles you will encounter 35 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: 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; at 6.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
129 ft
Total Descent
146 ft
Highest Point
71 ft
~13.6 mi in
Elevation Range
62 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New York City, NY and West Bay Shore, NY, road signs point toward Eastern Long Island, Riverhead, Grand Central Parkway East, Kennedy Airport, Terminals 7 8 and Belt Parkway East - among others.
Eastern Long Island
Riverhead
Grand Central Parkway East
Kennedy Airport
Terminals 7 8
Belt Parkway East
Huntington
“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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
This is a perfect same-day round trip, clocking in at just 46.8 miles and 1 hour 13 minutes. You'll have plenty of time to enjoy West Bay Shore without feeling rushed.
Family Friendly
While short at 46.8 miles, the 10/10 complexity rating for navigation might be stressful with kids in the car. It's doable, but be prepared for potentially tricky turns.
Solo Traveler
At 46.8 miles, this is a very manageable solo drive, though the 10/10 complexity might be a bit much if you're looking for a truly relaxing cruise.
EV Driver
With a total distance of only 46.8 miles, this trip is easily doable on a single charge for most EVs. You won't need to worry about finding a charger.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (31%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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