This 67.6-mile drive from Southold, NY to Fair Harbor, NY will take approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll primarily navigate using Sunrise Highway and Middle Road, with a brief stint on Robert Moses Causeway. With a projected fuel cost of around $11, this trip is budget-friendly. The route is characterized by numerous turns, suggesting a more local, less highway-intensive experience. Given its manageable distance and duration, you can easily complete this journey within a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
33.8 miles from Southold, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Sunrise Highway
29 mi
39m
Middle Road
8.9 mi
12m
Robert Moses Causeway
7.4 mi
12m
Sound Avenue
5.3 mi
8m
East Moriches-Riverhead Road
5.3 mi
7m
Northville Turnpike
3.4 mi
6m
Robert Moses State Parkway
2.1 mi
4m
Center Drive South
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Sunrise Highway
— 29 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southold, NY and Fair Harbor, NY.
1
Start on Youngs Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Youngs Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 48; Truck NY 25
8.9 mi·12 min·Middle Road
3
Continue on CR 48; Truck NY 25
5.3 mi·8 min·Sound Avenue
4
Turn left onto CR 43
3.4 mi·6 min·Northville Turnpike
5
At end of road, turn left onto CR 73
0.2 mi·49 sec·Roanoke Avenue
6
At end of road, turn right onto NY 25
114 ft·8 sec·East Main Street
7
Turn left onto CR 63
0.1 mi·17 sec·Peconic Avenue
8
Turn right onto CR 94
0.1 mi·19 sec·Nugent Drive
Use the right lane.
9
Take the exit
290 ft·6 sec
Toward CR 51 south: Suffolk County Offices, Criminal/Surrogate/Family Courts, Suffolk County Community College - Riverhead Campus, East MorichesUse the left lane.
10
Merge onto CR 51
1.7 mi·2 min·Center Drive South
11
Continue on CR 51
5.3 mi·7 min·East Moriches-Riverhead Road
12
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward NY 27 West: New YorkUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto NY 27
29 mi·39 min·Sunrise Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 41Toward RM: Southern Parkway, Robert Moses ParkUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto Sunrise Highway
0.2 mi·21 sec·Sunrise Highway
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward RM South: Robert Moses Park
17
Merge onto RM
6.1 mi·8 min·Robert Moses Causeway
18
Continue on RM
1.2 mi·3 min·Robert Moses Causeway
19
Enter roundabout onto Robert Moses State Parkway
0.1 mi·17 sec·Robert Moses State Parkway
Toward Fields 4-5, Lighthouse USCG
20
Continue on Robert Moses State Parkway
2.0 mi·4 min·Robert Moses State Parkway
Toward Fields 4-5, Lighthouse USCG
21
Turn straight
287 ft·24 sec
22
Turn right
0.5 mi·1 min
23
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
24
Continue on Cedar Court
0.4 mi·1 min·Cedar Court
25
Continue on Lighthouse Road
0.6 mi·2 min·Lighthouse Road
26
Continue on Central Walk
0.2 mi·52 sec·Central Walk
27
Arrive at destination
Central Walk
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 48-minute drive, starting earlier in the day can help you avoid potential local traffic, especially if you're traveling on a weekend. While there are no mandatory stops suggested, factor in time for a quick fuel top-off if needed, though the estimated $11 fuel cost indicates you likely won't need much. Pay close attention to your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route means you'll be making frequent turns. The longest stretch on Sunrise Highway is 29 miles, so be mindful of your surroundings during that segment.
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 33.8 miles from Southold, NY, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29 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 15 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.8 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fair Harbor, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Southold, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Southold, NY
This is one driving day of about 67.6 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Southold, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Sunrise Highway for about 29 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.2 and 63.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
18.2 mi into trip|~29m in|CR 73 / Roanoke Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto CR 73 / Roanoke Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
18.5 mi into trip|~30m in|NY 25 / East Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto NY 25 / East Main Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
8
18.7 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward CR 51 south: Suffolk County Offices, Criminal/Surrogate/Family Courts, Suffolk County Community College - Riverhead Campus, East Moriches
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward CR 51 south: Suffolk County Offices, Cri...
8
55.2 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward RM: Southern Parkway, Robert Moses Park
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 41
Toward RM: Southern Parkway, Robert Moses Park
6
63.2 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|Robert Moses State Parkway
Enter roundabout onto Robert Moses State Parkway toward Fields 4-5, Lighthouse USCG
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Fields 4-5, Lighthouse USCG
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.94 one way
$21.87 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$11.87
$23.73
premium
$4.85
$12.90
$25.81
diesel
$4.80
$12.76
$25.53
Estimated Tolls: $0.24
Northville Turnpike
(3.4 mi)$0.24
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.3
0
$7.10
$3.24
Efficient EV
16.9
0
$5.92
$2.70
EV Truck/SUV
27
0
$9.46
$4.33
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 Jul 2, 2026
Origin
Southold, NY
Late night
in Southold on Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
SW 9 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 2 at 1:40PM EDT until July 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 2 at 1:40PM EDT until July 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Destination
Fair Harbor, NY
Late night
in Fair Harbor on Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
SW 16 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 2 at 1:40PM EDT until July 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 2 at 1:40PM EDT until July 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
43°F
Brookhaven, NY
34 mi in
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
9 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 48m 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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 42
Park Closure: Pet Restrictions, Beach Driving Closures in Effect March 15 through Labor Day
Caution: Avian Influenza (HPAI) Suspected in Dead Birds in Seashore Areas
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy' local drive for this 67.6-mile journey between Southold and Fair Harbor. While 8% of the route involves highway driving, much of your time will be spent on local roads like Sunrise Highway and Middle Road, which account for the majority of the drive. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29 miles along Sunrise Highway. This suggests a driving experience that is more engaged and requires attention to navigation, rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. The road's personality will likely shift between more open highway sections and tighter, more winding local segments.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29 mi on Sunrise Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 18.2 miles in near CR 73 / Roanoke Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 67.6 miles you will encounter 16 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 18.2 miles (CR 73 / Roanoke Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 18.5 miles (NY 25 / East Main Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 18.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
103 ft0 ft
Total Climb
191 ft
Total Descent
211 ft
Highest Point
103 ft
~24.2 mi in
Elevation Range
103 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Southold, NY and Fair Harbor, NY, road signs point toward Cr 51 South: Suffolk County Offices, Criminal/Surrogate/Family Courts, Suffolk County Community College - Riverhead Campus, Moriches, Robert Moses Park and Rm South: Robert Moses Park - among others.
Cr 51 South: Suffolk County Offices
18.7 mi in|~31m
Criminal/Surrogate/Family Courts
18.7 mi in|~31m
Suffolk County Community College - Riverhead Campus
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 67.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29 miles on Sunrise Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.24 in tolls one way, starting with Northville Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Fair Harbor, 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 18.2 miles (CR 73 / Roanoke Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 18.5 miles (NY 25 / East Main Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 18.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fire Island National Seashore. 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 Fair Harbor, NY before heading back.
