If you are planning a trip from Northwest Harbor to Oyster Bay, expect a journey covering 81.2 miles that takes approximately 2 hours and 7 minutes. This route is designed as a straightforward day trip, making it easy to complete in a single outing without needing an overnight stay. Since the drive relies entirely on local roads like Northwest Road, Old Northwest Road, and Stephen Hands Path, you won't encounter any highway segments. Budgeting about $13 for fuel should be sufficient to cover the distance comfortably. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, it offers a distinct experience compared to high-speed interstate travel, so keep that in mind when planning your departure time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.6 miles from Northwest Harbor, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
27.6 mi
36m
Sunrise Highway
24.2 mi
31m
Montauk Highway
8.6 mi
17m
County Road 39A
5.5 mi
11m
Horseblock Road
3.9 mi
5m
Berry Hill Road
3.7 mi
6m
Stephen Hands Path
2.1 mi
5m
Old Northwest Road
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 27.6 mi, about 36m
Traffic on I-495
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Northwest Harbor, NY and Oyster Bay, NY.
1
Start on this road
0.4 mi·2 min·this road
2
Turn left onto Northwest Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Northwest Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto Old Northwest Road
1.7 mi·3 min·Old Northwest Road
4
Continue on Old Northwest Road
0.2 mi·25 sec·Old Northwest Road
5
Continue on Stephen Hands Path
0.3 mi·47 sec·Stephen Hands Path
6
Turn right
54 ft·7 sec
7
Turn left
35 ft·1 sec
8
Turn right onto Stephen Hands Path
1.7 mi·4 min·Stephen Hands Path
9
Merge onto NY 27
8.6 mi·17 min·Montauk Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit onto NY 27
372 ft·7 sec·NY 27
Toward NY 27 West: New York
11
Merge onto NY 27; CR 39A
5.5 mi·11 min·County Road 39A
12
Continue on NY 27
24 mi·31 min·Sunrise Highway
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·23 sec
Exit 57NToward CR 16 West: Yaphank, Horseblock RoadUse the right lane.
14
Turn left onto CR 56
0.2 mi·21 sec·Victory Avenue
15
Turn right onto CR 16
3.9 mi·5 min·Horseblock Road
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto Express Drive North
0.2 mi·14 sec·Express Drive North
Use the left lane.
17
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 495 WEST: New York
18
Merge onto I 495
28 mi·36 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 43Toward South Oyster Bay Road, Bethpage, SyossetUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn straight onto North Service Road
239 ft·11 sec·North Service Road
21
Turn right onto South Oyster Bay Road
0.8 mi·1 min·South Oyster Bay Road
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on Jackson Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·Jackson Avenue
23
Turn slight left onto Berry Hill Road
283 ft·7 sec·Berry Hill Road
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on Berry Hill Road
2.4 mi·4 min·Berry Hill Road
25
Continue on Berry Hill Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Berry Hill Road
26
Continue on Berry Hill Road
64 ft·2 sec·Berry Hill Road
27
Arrive at destination
Berry Hill Road
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. Since there are no designated stops on this 2-hour and 7-minute route, ensure you are fueled up and ready to go before you head out from Northwest Harbor. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the drive can be fatiguing, so plan for a break if you feel your focus slipping. A helpful tip for this specific path is to double-check your navigation before setting off, as the reliance on local roads like Stephen Hands Path involves multiple turns that are easy to miss. With a modest $13 fuel budget, you can easily manage this drive as a quick, efficient excursion.
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 40.6 miles from Northwest Harbor, NY, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.6 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.6 miles or 1h 9m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oyster Bay, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Northwest Harbor, 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 Northwest Harbor, NY
This is one driving day of about 81.2 miles and 2h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Northwest Harbor, 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 27.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 5 and 75.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5 mi into trip|~13m in|NY 27 / Montauk Highway
Merge onto NY 27 / Montauk Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
43.3 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward CR 16 West: Yaphank, Horseblock Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 57N
Toward CR 16 West: Yaphank, Horseblock Road
5
43.6 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|CR 16 / Horseblock Road
Turn right onto CR 16 / Horseblock Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
75.4 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward South Oyster Bay Road, Bethpage, Syosset
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 43
Toward South Oyster Bay Road, Bethpage, Syosset
6
75.7 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|South Oyster Bay Road
Turn right onto South Oyster Bay Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.20 one way
$26.39 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$14.28
$28.57
premium
$4.87
$15.56
$31.11
diesel
$5.40
$17.27
$34.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.4
0
$8.53
$3.90
Efficient EV
20.3
0
$7.10
$3.25
EV Truck/SUV
32.5
0
$11.37
$5.20
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (64% 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 25, 2026
Origin
Northwest Harbor, NY
Late night
in Northwest Harbor on Sunday
Local time
2:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
SE 7 mph52% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 12:05AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Oyster Bay, NY
Late night
in Oyster Bay on Sunday
Local time
2:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Rain Showers
SE 10 mph85% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 12:05AM EDT by NWS Binghamton 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
2 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 7m 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.
Fire Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife, Fire Island has been a special...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 44.8
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 81.2
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 81.2
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 81.2
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 81.2
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 81.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on driving experience, as this route consists entirely of local roads with zero highway miles. You will navigate a turn-heavy path that requires your full attention, as there are no long, uninterrupted stretches to zone out on. The winding nature of the roads means you should be prepared for frequent maneuvering through the Northeast landscape. Rather than a monotonous interstate grind, this journey keeps you engaged with the local infrastructure throughout the entire 81.2-mile distance. It is an ideal route for those who prefer scenic, technical driving over the repetitive pace of major expressways.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.6 mi on Long Island Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 5 miles in near NY 27 / Montauk Highway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 81.2 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: at 5 miles (NY 27 / Montauk Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.6 miles (CR 16 / Horseblock Road): 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 Northwest Harbor, NY and Oyster Bay, NY, road signs point toward Cr 16 West: Yaphank, Bethpage and Syosset.
Oyster Bay is one of three towns in Nassau County, on Long Island, New York.
The town of Oyster Bay comprises a large portion of eastern Nassau County and includes a slew of villages and other communities. This article covers North Oyster Bay – the area closest to Oyster Bay itself (in other words, everything that is north of the Long Island Expressway). See South Oyster Bay for the southern half of the town (in other words, the area south of the expressway). See the article for Glen Cove for communities in the northwest part of the town that are closest to that city.
Top landmarks
•Christ Church — historic Episcopal parish in Oyster Bay, New York, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 81.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.6 miles on Long Island Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 Oyster Bay, 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 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5 miles (NY 27 / Montauk Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.6 miles (CR 16 / Horseblock Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fire Island National Seashore, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and General Grant 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 Oyster Bay, NY before heading back.
