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Trip from North Great River, NY to New York City, NY

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

Drive Time

1h 20m

Distance

54 mi

87 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 19 min
4 AM
1h 14m ★
6 AM
1h 20m
8 AM
1h 33m
10 AM
1h 25m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 25m
5 PM
1h 32m
8 PM
1h 17m

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

Downtown North Great River, NY, NY

North Great River, NY

Cristian Pedroso

most populous city in the United States

New York City, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 54-mile drive from North Great River, NY, to New York City, NY, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 20 minutes. With 81% of the route on highways, it’s a quick trip that works perfectly as a single-day excursion, so no overnight stays are needed. You can expect the fuel cost to be around $9, making it an economical option. The drive is primarily highway-focused, offering a direct path between the two locations within the Northeast region. This route is ideal for those looking for an efficient and uncomplicated way to get to the city.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Southern State Parkway 25 mi 31m
Long Island Expressway 7.3 mi 10m
Heckscher State Parkway 6.9 mi 8m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway 2 mi 3m
Williamsburg Bridge 1.9 mi 4m
Clearview Expressway 1.4 mi 1m
Cross Island Parkway 1.3 mi 1m
Montauk Highway 1.2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Southern State Parkway — 25 mi, about 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Great River, NY and New York City, NY.

1

Start on NY 27

0.7 mi · 1 min · Sunrise Highway
2

Take the exit

442 ft · 18 sec
Exit 46A Toward NY 27A, CR 85: Montauk Highway, Oakdale, Great River Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3

Turn right onto NY 27A

1.2 mi · 2 min · Montauk Highway
Use the right lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward To NY 27: Southern Parkway west, New York
5

Merge onto H

6.9 mi · 8 min · Heckscher State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on SO

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Southern State Parkway
7

Keep slight left at fork onto SO

25 mi · 31 min · Southern State Parkway
Use the slight left lane.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto CI

1.3 mi · 1 min · Cross Island Parkway
10

Take the exit

317 ft · 9 sec
Exit 26B Toward NY 24: UBS Arena-Belmont Park Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

437 ft · 12 sec
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West
13

Keep slight right at fork

266 ft · 8 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue West Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 13 sec · this road
Toward Grandstand, Hempstead Avenue West
15

Keep slight left at fork

100 ft · 4 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue
16

Turn right onto NY 24

1.0 mi · 2 min · Hempstead Avenue
Use the right lane.
17

Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Jamaica Avenue
18

Turn right onto NY 24

0.7 mi · 1 min · 212th Street
19

Continue on I 295

1.4 mi · 1 min · Clearview Expressway
Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck Bridge
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 4E-W Toward I 495: Long Island Expressway, Manhattan, Eastern Long Island Use the slight right lane.
21

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 4W Toward I 495 West: Long Island Expressway West, Manhattan Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
22

Merge onto I 495

7.3 mi · 10 min · Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 17W Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 10 sec
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, 48th Street
25

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
26

Merge onto I 278

2.0 mi · 3 min · Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
27

Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge

0.7 mi · 1 min · Williamsburg Bridge
Exit 32A Toward Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
28

Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge

1.2 mi · 2 min · Williamsburg Bridge
Use the slight left lane.
29

Continue on Delancey Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Delancey Street
Use the straight lane.
30

Continue on Kenmare Street

0.2 mi · 57 sec · Kenmare Street
31

At end of road, turn left onto Lafayette Street

0.2 mi · 43 sec · Lafayette Street
Use the left lane.
32

Turn right onto Howard Street

510 ft · 24 sec · Howard Street
33

Turn left onto Broadway

0.5 mi · 1 min · Broadway
Use the straight lane.
34

Arrive at destination

Broadway

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hempstead, NY

27 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.

Popular next leg

Hempstead, NY to New York City, NY

24.1 mi · 43m

Pacing Suggestions

North Babylon, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hempstead, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 27 miles from North Great River, 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 27

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 50.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the exit toward NY 27A, CR 85: Montauk Highway, Oakdale, Great River

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 46A Toward NY 27A, CR 85: Montauk Highway, Oakdale,...
8
35.8 mi into trip | ~47m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
8
36 mi into trip | ~47m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Hempstead Avenue West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward Hempstead Avenue West
10
39.6 mi into trip | ~54m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 495 West: Long Island Expressway West, Manhattan

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 4W Toward I 495 West: Long Island Expressway West,...
9
50.6 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in | Williamsburg Bridge

Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge toward Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 32A Toward Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$8.89 one way

$17.78 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 19 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $9.61 $19.22
premium $4.92 $10.47 $20.93
diesel $5.61 $11.92 $23.85

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$9

Estimated CO2 emission: 18.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 16.2 0 $5.67 $2.59
Efficient EV 13.5 0 $4.73 $2.16
EV Truck/SUV 21.6 0 $7.56 $3.46

Gas CO2

19 kg

EV CO2

6 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

North Great River, NY

Late night in North Great River on Sunday

Local time

12:46 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New York City, NY

Late night in New York City on Sunday

Local time

12:46 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

11 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 20m 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?

Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 54-mile trip, with 81% of the drive utilizing major parkways and expressways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Southern State Parkway and the Long Island Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 25 miles on the Southern State Parkway, allowing for a consistent pace. While largely a highway drive, it offers a direct connection without many complex turns, making it predictable for drivers.

81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 25 mi on Southern State Parkway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern State Parkway and Long Island Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 54 miles you will encounter 27 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 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 36 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between North Great River, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand, Manhattan and Eastern Long Island.

Cross Island Parkway North

34.1 mi in | ~44m

Hempstead Avenue West

35.9 mi in | ~47m

Grandstand

36 mi in | ~47m

Manhattan

39.4 mi in | ~53m

Eastern Long Island

39.4 mi in | ~53m

About the Cities

Arriving 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 1h 20m. Total distance: 54 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 25 miles on Southern State Parkway. 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 New York City, 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: at 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 36 miles: 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 New York City, 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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