Traveling from Wading River to Manhattan covers 74.8 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 43 minutes. Since this is a relatively short distance, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $12 on fuel for the trip. Navigating from the quiet surroundings of Wading River into the heart of Manhattan involves a transition from suburban Long Island to a dense urban environment. This route functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, offering you the flexibility to head out and return on your own schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.9 miles from Wading River, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Long Island Expressway
56.1 mi
1h 16m
William Floyd Parkway
7.1 mi
10m
Route 25A
1.6 mi
2m
Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Level
0.9 mi
2m
Queensboro Plaza
0.7 mi
<1m
Madison Avenue
0.7 mi
2m
3rd Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Wading River Manor Road
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 56.1 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wading River, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on North Country Road
32 ft·8 sec·North Country Road
2
Turn sharp left onto Wading River Manor Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Wading River Manor Road
3
Turn right onto NY 25A
0.3 mi·29 sec·NY-25A
4
Continue on NY 25A
1.6 mi·2 min·Route 25A
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Toward CR 46 south: Smith Point ParkUse the left lane.
6
Continue on CR 46
7.1 mi·10 min·William Floyd Parkway
7
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 495 West: New YorkUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 495
56 mi·1 hr 16 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Exit 16Toward Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, Hunters Point Avenue, Greenpoint AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn straight onto Laurel Hill Boulevard
80 ft·2 sec·Laurel Hill Boulevard
11
Keep slight right at fork onto Hunters Point Avenue
Given the local nature of these 74.8 miles, plan your departure carefully to avoid peak congestion times on Long Island's local roads. Since there are zero scheduled stops on this route, you have the freedom to drive straight through, though you should ensure your tank is ready for the $12 fuel investment before you leave Wading River. Keep in mind that the lack of highway miles means your travel time can fluctuate significantly based on local traffic density. For the best experience, aim to leave during off-peak hours to keep your transit time closer to that 1 hour and 43-minute estimate.
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 35.9 miles from Wading River, NY, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.1 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.9 miles or 51m 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 Manhattan, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wading River, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wading River, NY
This is one driving day of about 71.9 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Wading River, 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 56.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 69.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward CR 46 south: Smith Point Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward CR 46 south: Smith Point Park
6
9.5 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 495 West: New York
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 495 West: New York
8
66.5 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, Hunters Point Avenue, Greenpoint Avenue
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 16
Toward Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, Hunters Point...
6
67 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|Hunters Point Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto Hunters Point Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
69.7 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|NY 25
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 25 toward 60th Street West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 60th Street West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.84 one way
$23.67 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$12.80
$25.60
premium
$4.92
$13.94
$27.87
diesel
$5.61
$15.87
$31.75
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, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.6
0
$7.55
$3.45
Efficient EV
18
0
$6.29
$2.88
EV Truck/SUV
28.8
0
$10.07
$4.60
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 11, 2026
Origin
Wading River, NY
Late night
in Wading River on Sunday
Local time
4:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Clear then Areas Of Frost
N 3 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 3:03PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 3:02PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Late night
in Manhattan on Sunday
Local time
4:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Clear
N 2 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 3:03PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 3:02PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
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
1h 46m 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.
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 71.9
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 69.4
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 69.4
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 69.4
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 rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features 0% highway travel. You will spend the entire 1 hour and 43 minutes navigating local roads, which requires your full attention behind the wheel. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of highway, the pace remains steady but consistent with local traffic patterns. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience as you transition through various towns and intersections on your way to the city.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.1 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 William Floyd Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.9 miles you will encounter 15 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 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Wall Street. Madison Avenue. 34th Street. Broadway. Times Square. Manhattan is so well known that even the names of its streets have become iconic and understood the world over. This long, thin island is only one of New York City's five boroughs, but it's Manhattan that has the concrete canyons and the inimitable skyline; Manhattan that has the world's brightest theater district; Manhattan that has Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and the Met; and Manhattan that includes iconic neighborhoods like Harlem, the Upper East Side, Times Square, and Greenwich Village.
The rest of New York City has much to see and do, but it's Manhattan that represents the city—and sometimes the entire United States—to the world. You could spend a month on this tiny island and still not see all there is to see.
Top landmarks
•Empire State Building — skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 71.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.1 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 Manhattan, 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 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall 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 Manhattan, NY before heading back.
