Staten Island, NY to Head of the Harbor, NY is 72 miles and takes about 1 hour 50 minutes via Southern State Parkway and Belt Parkway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Given its relatively short duration and highway profile, this is a straightforward drive. You'll spend most of your time on the parkways, making it a good option for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36 miles from Staten Island, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Southern State Parkway
25.5 mi
32m
Belt Parkway
20.8 mi
30m
Sagtikos State Parkway
4.1 mi
5m
North Country Road
3.4 mi
5m
Staten Island Expressway
3.3 mi
5m
Long Island Expressway
2.2 mi
2m
Manor Road
2 mi
4m
Wheeler Road
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Southern State Parkway
— 25.5 mi, about 32m
Traffic on I-278
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,452 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~674 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 34 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 Head of the Harbor, 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
0.1 mi·9 sec·Gowanus Expressway
17
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 16Toward John F Kennedy International Airport, Belt Parkway EastUse the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto BP
21 mi·30 min·Belt Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
25 mi·31 min·Southern State Parkway
Exit 25AToward Southern State Parkway, Eastern Long IslandUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
0.8 mi·1 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto SA
4.1 mi·5 min·Sagtikos State Parkway
Toward Kings Park
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit S1 EToward I 495 East: RiverheadUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 495 East: RiverheadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 495
2.2 mi·2 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 56Toward NY 111: Smithtown, IslipUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn straight onto Express Drive South
0.2 mi·23 sec·Express Drive South
27
Continue on Express Drive South
0.4 mi·44 sec·Express Drive South
28
Turn left onto NY 111
1.6 mi·2 min·Wheeler Road
29
Continue on NY 111
0.1 mi·17 sec·Townline Road
Use the left lane.
30
Turn left onto NY 111
0.9 mi·1 min·Hauppauge Boulevard
Use the left lane.
31
Continue on NY 111
1.3 mi·2 min·Hauppauge Road
32
Continue on NY 25A
184 ft·3 sec·River Road
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on NY 25A
3.4 mi·5 min·North Country Road
34
Turn left onto Hitherbrook Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Hitherbrook Road
Use the left lane.
35
Keep slight right at fork onto Bacon Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Bacon Road
36
Arrive at destination
Bacon Road
Trip Plan
Since this drive is just under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility. Leaving Staten Island in the morning, perhaps after the initial rush hour, will give you a smooth start. With no planned stops, you can push through to Head of the Harbor. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $12, and gas stations can be spaced out on parkways. Consider a quick break around the halfway point if needed, though the drive is short enough to manage without one.
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 36 miles from Staten Island, NY, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.5 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 16 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36 miles or 59m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Head of the Harbor, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Staten Island, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Staten Island, NY
This is one driving day of about 72 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Staten Island, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Southern State Parkway for about 25.5 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.2 and 63.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
9.2 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward John F Kennedy International Airport, Belt Parkway East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 16
Toward John F Kennedy International Airport, Be...
9
31 mi into trip|~52m in|SO / Southern State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto SO / Southern State Parkway toward Southern State Parkway, Eastern Long Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 25A
Toward Southern State Parkway, Eastern Long Isl...
7
60.6 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward I 495 East: Riverhead
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit S1 E
Toward I 495 East: Riverhead
8
60.8 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 East: Riverhead
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 495 East: Riverhead
8
63.3 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward NY 111: Smithtown, Islip
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 56
Toward NY 111: Smithtown, Islip
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.70 one way
$23.40 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$12.67
$25.33
premium
$4.87
$13.79
$27.59
diesel
$5.40
$15.32
$30.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.6
0
$7.56
$3.46
Efficient EV
18
0
$6.30
$2.88
EV Truck/SUV
28.8
0
$10.08
$4.61
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Staten Island, NY
Morning
in Staten Island on Sunday
Local time
10:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Light Rain
SE 10 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 11:36AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Head of the Harbor, NY
Morning
in Head of the Harbor on Sunday
Local time
10:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
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 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.
Gateway National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 17.4
Park Closure: Dead Horse Bay (Brooklyn) Remains Closed to the Public
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 78% of the drive on parkways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 25.5 miles on the Southern State Parkway. You'll experience urban merging and dense exits as you navigate the parkway system. The transition to surface roads will occur as you approach your destination.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 25.5 mi on Southern State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern State Parkway and Belt Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.2 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 72 miles you will encounter 22 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 9.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31 miles (SO / Southern State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Staten Island, NY and Head of the Harbor, NY, road signs point toward Brooklyn, Upper Level, John F Kennedy International Airport, Belt Parkway East, Eastern Long Island and Kings Park - among others.
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 50m. Total distance: 72 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 (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 25.5 miles on Southern State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Head of the 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 9.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31 miles (SO / Southern State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway National Recreation Area, Governors Island National Monument and Statue Of Liberty 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 Head of the Harbor, NY before heading back.
