If you are planning to head from Wading River into the heart of New York City, you are looking at a 72.2-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 46 minutes. This straightforward trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stop. You can expect to spend approximately $11 on fuel for the one-way trek. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Northeast, the trip is a classic regional commute. It is a practical, highway-focused route that gets you from the quiet of the North Shore to the city center efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.1 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
55 mi
1h 14m
William Floyd Parkway
7.1 mi
10m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
2 mi
3m
Williamsburg Bridge
1.9 mi
4m
Route 25A
1.6 mi
2m
Delancey Street
0.5 mi
1m
Broadway
0.5 mi
1m
Wading River Manor Road
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 55 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wading River, NY and New York City, 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
55 mi·1 hr 14 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 17WToward I 278 West: BrooklynUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·10 sec
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, 48th Street
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·31 sec
Toward I 278 West: BrooklynUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 278
2.0 mi·3 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge
0.7 mi·1 min·Williamsburg Bridge
Exit 32AToward Williamsburg Bridge, ManhattanUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge
1.2 mi·2 min·Williamsburg Bridge
Use the slight left lane.
15
Continue on Delancey Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Delancey Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on Kenmare Street
0.2 mi·57 sec·Kenmare Street
17
At end of road, turn left onto Lafayette Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·Lafayette Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Howard Street
510 ft·24 sec·Howard Street
19
Turn left onto Broadway
0.5 mi·1 min·Broadway
Use the straight lane.
20
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 72.2-mile drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your scheduling. However, given that you are heading into New York City, timing your departure to avoid peak congestion is essential for staying close to the 1 hour and 46-minute travel estimate. Because the route is 91% highway-based, there are no formal stops planned, so ensure your tank is ready for the $11 fuel investment before you pull onto the Long Island Expressway. My best tip for this specific drive is to keep a close eye on real-time traffic updates for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, as road conditions there can quickly alter your arrival time.
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 36.1 miles from Wading River, NY, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55 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 36.1 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 New York City, 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 72.2 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 55 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 71.5 — 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
7
65.4 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 17W
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
7
66.5 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
9
68.9 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|Williamsburg Bridge
Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge toward Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 32A
Toward Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan
7
71.5 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|Lafayette Street
At end of road, turn left onto Lafayette Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.88 one way
$23.77 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$12.85
$25.70
premium
$4.92
$13.99
$27.99
diesel
$5.61
$15.94
$31.88
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: 25.3 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
21.7
0
$7.58
$3.47
Efficient EV
18.1
0
$6.32
$2.89
EV Truck/SUV
28.9
0
$10.11
$4.62
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 18, 2026
Origin
Wading River, NY
Late night
in Wading River on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New York City, NY
Late night
in New York City on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
E 6 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
49°F
North Hills, NY
36 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
16 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.
African Burial Ground National Monument
National Monument
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed corridors, with highways accounting for 91% of your total drive time. You will navigate via the William Floyd Parkway before settling onto the Long Island Expressway, which provides the longest uninterrupted stretch of your journey at 55 miles. As you approach the city, you will transition onto the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway to complete the final leg. The experience is largely a functional, interstate-heavy drive rather than a winding scenic tour. Stay focused, as the transition from suburban parkways to the dense traffic patterns of the BQE defines the personality of this route.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55 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 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 Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.2 miles you will encounter 14 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 65.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
New York (known as "The Big Apple", "NYC," and often called "New York City") is a global center for media, entertainment, art, fashion, research, finance, and trade. The bustling, cosmopolitan heart of the 4th largest metropolis in the world and by far the most populous city in the United States, New York has long been a key entry point and a defining city for the nation.
From the Statue of Liberty in the harbor to the Empire State Building towering over the Manhattan skyline, from the tunnels of the subway to the riches of Wall Street, from the bright signs of Times Square to the naturalistic beauty of Central Park, and from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York's landmarks are quintessential American landmarks. The city's neighborhoods and streets are so iconic they have become ingrained into the American consciousness.
Top landmarks
•Statue of Liberty — American icon in New York, United States
•National September 11 Memorial & Museum — memorial & museum in New York City commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks
•Plaza Hotel — hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York City
This route is a solid choice for a same-day round trip, covering only 72.2 miles and taking under 2 hours each way. You'll be back before you know it, leaving plenty of time for city exploration.
Family Friendly
This 72.2-mile drive is short enough to keep kids from getting too antsy, but the 10/10 complexity rating for navigation could be a challenge for parents trying to manage kids and traffic simultaneously.
Solo Traveler
While the 1 hour 46 minute drive is comfortable for a solo traveler, the 10/10 complexity rating means you'll need to stay highly focused on navigation, which might detract from a purely relaxing drive.
First-Time Driver
With 91% highway driving and a manageable 1 hour 46 minute duration, this route is decent for a first-time driver. However, be prepared for the high complexity score of 10/10, which means constant attention to directions and traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55 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 New York City, 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 65.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 New York City, NY before heading back.
