Origin
Riverhead, NY
Morning in Riverhead on Tuesday
Local time
8:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Riverhead, NY to Manhattan, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 50m
Distance
76 mi
122 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 43m
★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Riverhead, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Manhattan, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Riverhead, NY to Manhattan, NY is 76 miles and takes about 1 hour 50 minutes via the Long Island Expressway, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region of Long Island into the bustling Northeast heart of Manhattan. It's primarily a highway-focused journey, making it a straightforward option for getting from one point to the other. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your departure time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38 miles from Riverhead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Long Island Expressway | 65.7 mi | 1h 29m |
| Nugent Drive | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Level | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Queensboro Plaza | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Madison Avenue | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| 3rd Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Hunters Point Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Van Dam Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 65.7 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverhead, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on NY 25
140 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn left onto CR 63
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Peconic Avenue
3
Turn right onto CR 94
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Nugent Drive
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on CR 94
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Edwards Avenue
5
Turn left
291 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 495 West: New York
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
this road
Toward I 495 West: New York
7
Merge onto I 495
66 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 16
Toward Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, Hunters Point Avenue, Greenpoint Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto Laurel Hill Boulevard
80 ft
·
2 sec
·
Laurel Hill Boulevard
10
Keep slight right at fork onto Hunters Point Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Hunters Point Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto Van Dam Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Van Dam Street
12
Continue on Van Dam Street
113 ft
·
8 sec
·
Van Dam Street
13
Turn left onto NY 25
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Queens Boulevard
14
Continue on NY 25
0.7 mi
·
57 sec
·
Queensboro Plaza
15
Continue on NY 25
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Level
16
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 25
317 ft
·
11 sec
·
NY 25
Toward 60th Street West
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto East 60th Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
East 60th Street
18
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto East 72nd Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
East 72nd Street
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Madison Avenue
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Avenue
21
Turn left onto East 85th Street
507 ft
·
12 sec
·
East 85th Street
22
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
86th Street Transverse
Toward West Side
23
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short, 76-mile drive that takes under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility. Aim to leave Riverhead outside of peak morning or evening commute times to make your entry into Manhattan smoother. The longest stretch on the Long Island Expressway is 65.7 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get too low, though the estimated fuel cost is only $13 for the entire trip. There are no designated stops in the data, so consider this a direct point-to-point journey where you can decide on any rest breaks as needed.
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 38 miles from Riverhead, NY, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.7 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 17 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38 miles or 52m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manhattan, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Riverhead, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Riverhead, NY
This is one driving day of about 76 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Riverhead, 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 65.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38 miles from Riverhead, 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 65.7 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 74 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
4.5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Turn left toward I 495 West: New York
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 495 West: New York
8
70.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, Hunters Point Avenue, Greenpoint Avenue
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 16
Toward Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, Hunters Point...
6
71 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
|
Hunters Point Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto Hunters Point Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
73.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
NY 25
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 25 toward 60th Street West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 60th Street West
6
74 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
3rd Avenue
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.51 one way
$25.02 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $13.53 | $27.05 |
| premium | $4.92 | $14.73 | $29.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.78 | $33.56 |
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: 26.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.8 | 0 | $7.98 | $3.65 |
| Efficient EV | 19 | 0 | $6.65 | $3.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.4 | 0 | $10.64 | $4.86 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Morning in Manhattan on Tuesday
Local time
8:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Chance Rain Showers
NW 8 mph
28% chance
Live forecast
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
36 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
1h 50m 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.
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 78.8
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 78.8
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 76.1
View on nps.gov
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 76.1
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 76.1
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 76.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 87% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll spend the majority of your time on the Long Island Expressway, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch of 65.7 miles. Expect a consistent, fast-paced driving experience as you navigate these expressways. The journey progresses from the open highway environment of Long Island, eventually leading onto Nugent Drive and crossing the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Level as you approach your Manhattan destination.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.7 mi on Long Island Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Island Expressway and Nugent Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76 miles you will encounter 14 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 4.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 70.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71 miles (Hunters Point Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Riverhead, NY
Full guide →Riverhead is a town on Long Island in New York. It is the western half of Long Island's North Fork. The town of Riverhead includes the following communities: Aquebogue, Baiting Hollow, Calverton, Jamesport, Northville, & Riverhead (hamlet).
Top landmarks
- • Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center — aquarium in Riverhead, New York, United States
- • Vail-Leavitt Music Hall — theater and former movie theater in Riverhead, New York, United States
- • Jamesport Meeting House — historic meetinghouse in New York, United States
Arriving in Manhattan, NY
Full guide →Founded 1624
Wall Street. Madison Avenue. 34th Street. Broadway. Times Square. Manhattan is so well known that even the names of its streets have become iconic and understood the world over. This long, thin island is only one of New York City's five boroughs, but it's Manhattan that has the concrete canyons and the inimitable skyline; Manhattan that has the world's brightest theater district; Manhattan that has Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and the Met; and Manhattan that includes iconic neighborhoods like Harlem, the Upper East Side, Times Square, and Greenwich Village. The rest of New York City has much to see and do, but it's Manhattan that represents the city—and sometimes the entire United States—to the world. You could spend a month on this tiny island and still not see all there is to see.
Top landmarks
- • Empire State Building — skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USA
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 50m. Total distance: 76 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.7 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 Manhattan, 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 4.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 70.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71 miles (Hunters Point Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (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 Manhattan, 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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