Trip from Riverhead, 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 50m

Distance

76.3 mi

123 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

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.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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town and county seat of Suffolk County, New York, United States

Riverhead, NY

Wikimedia Commons

New York City, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 76.3-mile drive from Riverhead, NY, to New York City, NY, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Long Island Expressway, Nugent Drive, and Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, it's a straightforward highway-focused journey. With an estimated fuel cost of around $12, this route is efficient for getting you from Long Island into the heart of the city. Given its relatively short duration and highway nature, it's perfectly manageable as a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll be traveling within the Northeast region, staying within New York State for the entire trip.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

38.2 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	64.6 mi	1h 27m
Nugent Drive	4.1 mi	6m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway	2 mi	3m
Williamsburg Bridge	1.9 mi	4m
Delancey Street	0.5 mi	1m
Broadway	0.5 mi	1m
Edwards Avenue	0.3 mi	<1m
Kenmare Street	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Long Island Expressway — 64.6 mi, about 1h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Riverhead, NY and New York City, NY.

Start on NY 25

140 ft · 10 sec · East Main Street

Turn left onto CR 63

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Peconic Avenue

Turn right onto CR 94

4.1 mi · 6 min · Nugent Drive

Use the right lane.

Continue on CR 94

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Edwards Avenue

Turn left

291 ft · 6 sec

Toward I 495 West: New York Use the left lane.

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 31 sec · this road

Toward I 495 West: New York

Merge onto I 495

65 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Long Island Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min

Exit 17W Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 10 sec

Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, 48th Street

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 278

2.0 mi · 3 min · Brooklyn-Queens Expressway

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.

Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge

1.2 mi · 2 min · Williamsburg Bridge

Use the slight left lane.

Continue on Delancey Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Delancey Street

Use the straight lane.

Continue on Kenmare Street

0.2 mi · 57 sec · Kenmare Street

At end of road, turn left onto Lafayette Street

0.2 mi · 43 sec · Lafayette Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Howard Street

510 ft · 24 sec · Howard Street

Turn left onto Broadway

0.5 mi · 1 min · Broadway

Use the straight lane.

Arrive at destination

Broadway

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 76.3-mile trip, consider departing early in the morning to bypass potential rush hour traffic heading into New York City. Since this is a relatively short drive of under two hours, you won't need to split it, and stops are minimal. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $12, and planning your refueling before you hit the busiest urban sections can save you hassle. A specific tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the exit sequences for Nugent Drive and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, as these can become quite congested closer to Manhattan.

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 38.2 miles from Riverhead, NY, or about 52m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.6 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 17 miles or 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 38.2 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 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, 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 76.3 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 64.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

village in Nassau County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Westbury, NY

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.

Popular next leg

Westbury, NY to New York City, NY

26.8 mi · 44m

Pacing Suggestions

Selden, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Westbury, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 38.2 miles from Riverhead, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Long Island Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Le Coucou

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $100 or ab mile 76.3

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+12122714252

Visit website

Lima 33 Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Little Neck, New York

0.8 mi

Coppola Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

1.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Amano Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 76.3

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15858883232

Visit website

Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Long Island City, New York

1.6 mi

Artpresso Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Long Island City, New York

1.5 mi

Le Coucou

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $100 or ab mile 76.3

New York, New York

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+12122714252

Visit website

Lima 33 Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 60

Little Neck, New York

Hours: 1–9 pm

+17182254949

Visit website

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 76.3

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12125642723

Roots Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 76.3

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

+19293015535

Visit website

Cafe Grumpy - Park Slope

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 76.3

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17184994404

Visit website

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 49.1

Syosset, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

African Burial Ground National Monument

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 76.3

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12122384367

Visit website

BrainXcape Escape Room NYC

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 76.3

New York, New York

Hours: 11 am–10:30 pm

+13476961408

Visit website

Long Island Aquarium

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Riverhead, New York

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+16312089200

Visit website

Pier 25 at Hudson River Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 76.3

New York, New York

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12126272020

Visit website

Pier 15 East River Esplanade

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 76.3

New York, New York

Hours: 6 am–12 pm

Visit website

Brooklyn Bridge Park - Pier 1

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 76.3

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

New York City Fire Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 76.3

New York, New York

+12126911303

Visit website

Brooklyn Bridge Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 76.3

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 75.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

69.5 mi into trip | ~1h 35m in

Take the exit toward I 278 West: Brooklyn

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 17W Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn

70.6 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 278 West: Brooklyn

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn

73 mi into trip | ~1h 40m 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

75.6 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in | Lafayette Street

At end of road, turn left onto Lafayette Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.56 one way

$25.12 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.52	$13.58	$27.16
premium	$4.92	$14.79	$29.58
diesel	$5.61	$16.85	$33.69

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: 26.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	22.9	$8.01	$3.66
Efficient EV	19.1	$6.68	$3.05
EV Truck/SUV	30.5	$10.68	$4.88

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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Riverhead, NY

Morning in Riverhead on Sunday

Local time

6:23 AM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New York City, NY

Morning in New York City on Sunday

Local time

6:23 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

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

8 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

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 near mile 76.3

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 87% of the drive on high-speed roads. The majority of your travel, a continuous stretch of 64.6 miles, will be along the Long Island Expressway. This means you'll encounter consistent highway speeds and a generally uninterrupted flow, punctuated by transitions onto Nugent Drive and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway as you approach your destination. The character remains largely that of a commuter or intercity highway, designed for efficient transit rather than leisurely sightseeing.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 64.6 mi on Long Island Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76.3 miles you will encounter 13 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 69.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.6 miles: 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).

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 50m. Total distance: 76.3 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 64.6 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 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.

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 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Riverhead, NY or browse trips ending in New York City, NY.

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Trip from Riverhead, NY to New York City, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Le Coucou

Amano Cafe

Le Coucou

Lima 33 Restaurant

Coppola Cafe

Veselka

Little Armenia Cafe

Luigi's Restaurant And Bar

Casanova Restaurant

Hainan

Amano Cafe

Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters

Artpresso Cafe

51st Bakery & Cafe

Le Cafe Coffee

Aleef Cafe

Roots Cafe

Cafe Grumpy - Park Slope

Tesla Supercharger

Blink Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

EVgo Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

African Burial Ground National Monument

BrainXcape Escape Room NYC

Long Island Aquarium

Pier 25 at Hudson River Park

Pier 15 East River Esplanade

Brooklyn Bridge Park - Pier 1

New York City Fire Museum

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Riverhead, NY

New York City, NY

Same local time

8 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 50m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

African Burial Ground National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

Federal Hall National Memorial

Stonewall National Monument

Governors Island National Monument

Statue Of Liberty National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Starting in Riverhead, NY

Arriving in New York City, NY

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From New York City, NY

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