Staten Island to Plandome Heights is 36.9 miles and takes about 1 hour 4 minutes via the Long Island Expressway, with a fuel budget near $6 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a quick trip entirely within New York, making it ideal for a single-day excursion. You'll primarily be on major highways, so expect a straightforward drive without significant detours. It's a convenient way to get from one part of the NYC metropolitan area to another, particularly if you need to reach Nassau County from Staten Island without navigating through more complex city streets. Plan for this to be a simple transit rather than a sightseeing expedition.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
10.7 mi
15m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
6.9 mi
11m
Gowanus Expressway
5.5 mi
8m
Staten Island Expressway
3.3 mi
5m
Manor Road
2 mi
4m
Community Drive
1.4 mi
2m
Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
1.3 mi
1m
Plandome Road
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 10.7 mi, about 15m
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 Plandome Heights, 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 right at fork onto I 278
0.8 mi·1 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 35A-BToward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, 48th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·18 sec·this road
Exit 35Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, 48 Street
21
Keep slight right at fork
308 ft·8 sec
Exit 35BToward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhead, 48th StreetUse the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 35EToward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, RiverheadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island
24
Merge onto I 495
11 mi·15 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 33Toward Lakeville Road, Community DriveUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn straight onto South Service Road
0.3 mi·48 sec·South Service Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn left onto Community Drive
1.4 mi·2 min·Community Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Turn right onto NY 25A
0.6 mi·1 min·Northern Boulevard
Use the right lane.
29
Turn left onto Plandome Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Plandome Road
Use the left lane.
30
Arrive at destination
Plandome Road
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 18.5 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.6 and 33.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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,...
8
21.5 mi into trip|~39m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, 48th Street
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 35A-B
Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Isla...
10
21.7 mi into trip|~39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhead, 48th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 35B
Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhe...
9
21.8 mi into trip|~39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhead
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 35E
Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhe...
8
33.6 mi into trip|~57m in
Take the exit toward Lakeville Road, Community Drive
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 33
Toward Lakeville Road, Community Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.00 one way
$11.99 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg13 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$6.49
$12.98
premium
$4.87
$7.07
$14.14
diesel
$5.40
$7.85
$15.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging
· 0 stops
· 69% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
11.1
0
$3.87
$1.77
Efficient EV
9.2
0
$3.23
$1.48
EV Truck/SUV
14.8
0
$5.17
$2.36
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 Apr 26, 2026
Origin
Staten Island, NY
Late night
in Staten Island on Sunday
Local time
2:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Rain Showers
E 15 mph97% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 8:05PM EDT until April 26 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 1:03PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Plandome Heights, NY
Late night
in Plandome Heights on Sunday
Local time
2:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Rain Showers
E 10 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 8:05PM EDT until April 26 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 1:03PM EDT by NWS Binghamton 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 4m 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 route is mostly highway, with 72% of the drive taking place on major arteries. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 10.7 miles on the Long Island Expressway. Expect to be on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and Gowanus Expressway before merging onto the Long Island Expressway. The transition from urban expressways to the wider Long Island Expressway will be noticeable, with a change in traffic patterns and exit density.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 10.7 mi on Long Island Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Island Expressway and Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.6 miles in near I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 36.9 miles you will encounter 23 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 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 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Plandome Heights, NY, road signs point toward Brooklyn, Upper Level, Eastern Long Island and Riverhead.
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 4m. Total distance: 36.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 10.7 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 Plandome Heights, 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 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 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Plandome Heights, NY before heading back.
