This 37.5-mile drive from Staten Island to City Island in New York is best tackled as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 9 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with about 65% of the journey on major expressways like the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and Gowanus Expressway. Expect a fuel cost of around $6 for this relatively short, direct journey. Given its brevity and highway nature, it's a straightforward drive within the Northeast region, perfect for a quick excursion without needing an overnight stay.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
9.4 mi
15m
Gowanus Expressway
5.5 mi
8m
Staten Island Expressway
3.3 mi
5m
Whitestone Expressway
2.8 mi
3m
Northern Boulevard
2.5 mi
5m
Manor Road
2 mi
4m
Hutchinson River Parkway
1.6 mi
2m
Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
— 9.4 mi, about 15m
Traffic on I-278
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,400 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~678 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 85 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 Staten Island, NY and City Island, NY.
1
Start on Croft Court
147 ft·13 sec·Croft Court
2
Turn left onto Corona Avenue
0.2 mi·38 sec·Corona Avenue
3
Continue on Cotter Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Cotter Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
284 ft·13 sec·Clarke Avenue
5
Turn right onto Kensico Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Kensico Street
6
At end of road, turn right onto Richmond Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Richmond Road
7
Continue on Richmond Road
447 ft·14 sec·Richmond Road
8
Continue on Rockland Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Rockland Avenue
9
Turn right onto Manor Road
2.0 mi·4 min·Manor Road
10
Turn right onto Schmidts Lane
0.2 mi·42 sec·Schmidts Lane
11
Turn left onto Slosson Avenue
260 ft·9 sec·Slosson Avenue
12
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·30 sec
Toward I 278 East: Staten Island Expressway, Verrazano Bridge, Brooklyn
13
Merge onto I 278
2.6 mi·3 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278
0.7 mi·1 min·Staten Island Expressway
Toward Upper Level
15
Continue on I 278
1.3 mi·1 min·Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
16
Continue on I 278
5.5 mi·8 min·Gowanus Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278
6.1 mi·10 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Exit 26Toward I 278 East: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, RFK Bridge, Hamilton AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278
3.2 mi·5 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 25A: Northern BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
258 ft·8 sec
Toward NY 25A EastUse the right lane.
21
Turn right onto Northern Boulevard
2.5 mi·5 min·Northern Boulevard
22
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 678: Van Wyck Expressway, Kennedy Airport, Whitestone BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Merge onto Whitestone Expressway
2.8 mi·3 min·Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi·1 min·Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
25
Continue on I 678
1.2 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on HR
1.6 mi·2 min·Hutchinson River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Take the exit
477 ft·14 sec
Exit 1CToward Pelham Parkway East, Co-Op CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on Hutchinson River Parkway East
0.3 mi·52 sec·Hutchinson River Parkway East
29
Turn slight left
0.1 mi·24 sec
Toward To I 95
30
Turn straight onto Pe
0.1 mi·13 sec·Pelham Parkway
31
Continue on Shore Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Shore Road
32
Turn right onto City Island Road
0.7 mi·1 min·City Island Road
33
Enter roundabout onto City Island Road
418 ft·7 sec·City Island Road
34
Continue on City Island Road
0.4 mi·1 min·City Island Road
35
Continue on City Island Bridge
0.2 mi·34 sec·City Island Bridge
36
Continue on City Island Avenue
0.6 mi·2 min·City Island Avenue
37
Arrive at destination
City Island Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 18.7 miles from Staten Island, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.4 and 34 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.4 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the ramp toward I 278 East: Staten Island Expressway, Verrazano Bridge, Brooklyn
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 278 East: Staten Island Expressway, Ve...
9
14.6 mi into trip|~27m in|I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway toward I 278 East: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, RFK Bridge, Hamilton Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 26
Toward I 278 East: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway,...
7
24 mi into trip|~43m in
Take the exit toward NY 25A: Northern Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41
Toward NY 25A: Northern Boulevard
8
24.1 mi into trip|~43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 25A East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward NY 25A East
8
34 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward Pelham Parkway East, Co-Op City
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 1C
Toward Pelham Parkway East, Co-Op City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.62 one way
$13.25 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg13 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$7.17
$14.34
premium
$5.28
$7.79
$15.58
diesel
$6.18
$9.12
$18.25
Estimated Tolls: $6.55
Whitestone Bridge
$6.55
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$7
Total
$13
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging
· 0 stops
· 69% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
11.3
0
$3.94
$1.80
Efficient EV
9.4
0
$3.28
$1.50
EV Truck/SUV
15
0
$5.25
$2.40
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Staten Island, NY
Night
in Staten Island on Saturday
Local time
10:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NW 10 to 18 mph68% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:29AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 2:18PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
City Island, NY
Night
in City Island on Saturday
Local time
10:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Light Rain
NW 18 to 26 mph40% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:29AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 2:18PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
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
1 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 9m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive leans heavily towards a highway experience, with 65% of the route utilizing expressways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on roads like the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and the Staten Island Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 9.4 miles on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. While it's a highway-focused profile, expect the character to remain consistent, offering a direct and efficient way to travel between boroughs.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 9.4 mi on Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and Gowanus Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 37.5 miles you will encounter 20 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 4.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.6 miles (I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
262 ft-5 ft
Total Climb
355 ft
Total Descent
409 ft
Highest Point
262 ft
~2.7 mi in
Elevation Range
267 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Staten Island, NY and City Island, NY, road signs point toward Brooklyn, Upper Level, Kennedy Airport, Pelham Parkway East, Co-Op City and To I 95.
Staten Island is New York City's "Forgotten Borough" across New York Harbor from Manhattan. Staten Island may seem like it's in an entirely different world than the hustle and bustle expected in New York City. However, it still has some of the features you've come to expect from the city. This combination of city influences and its rural origins have created a unique borough that is a great place to visit.
Top landmarks
•Bayonne Bridge — arch bridge connecting Staten Island, NY with Bayonne, NJ
•Staten Island Museum — museum in Staten Island, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 9m. Total distance: 37.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 9.4 miles on Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.55 in tolls one way, starting with Whitestone Bridge. 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.
Yes — we found about 3 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 City Island, 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 4.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.6 miles (I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 City Island, NY before heading back.
