Embarking on this 83.3-mile journey from Water Mill, NY, to Queens, NY, will take approximately 2 hours of driving time. Primarily utilizing Sunrise Highway and County Road 39A, this route is best suited as a single-day trip, with no overnight stays recommended. You can expect a fuel cost of around $14 for this drive. This trip offers a turn-heavy local driving experience as you navigate between these two points within the Northeast region. It's a straightforward drive, perfect for a quick transition between areas.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.7 miles from Water Mill, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Sunrise Highway
70.3 mi
1h 33m
County Road 39A
5.5 mi
11m
Rockaway Boulevard
3.2 mi
7m
Montauk Highway
2.2 mi
4m
Belt Parkway
1.3 mi
1m
North Conduit Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
103rd Street
0.2 mi
<1m
NY 27
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Sunrise Highway
— 70.3 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Water Mill, NY and Queens, NY.
1
Start on Scuttle Hole Road
33 ft·0 sec·Scuttle Hole Road
2
Merge onto NY 27
2.2 mi·4 min·Montauk Highway
3
Take the exit onto NY 27
372 ft·7 sec·NY 27
Toward NY 27 West: New York
4
Merge onto NY 27; CR 39A
5.5 mi·11 min·County Road 39A
5
Continue on NY 27
70 mi·1 hr 33 min·Sunrise Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward Belt Parkway West, Verrazano Bridge
7
Merge onto BP
1.3 mi·1 min·Belt Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 21AToward Rockaway BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto NY 27
0.3 mi·45 sec·North Conduit Avenue
10
Turn right onto Rockaway Boulevard
0.5 mi·50 sec·Rockaway Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto Rockaway Boulevard
2.7 mi·6 min·Rockaway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto 103rd Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·103rd Street
13
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
257 ft·11 sec·Liberty Avenue
14
Turn right onto 104th Street
205 ft·9 sec·104th Street
15
Arrive at destination
104th Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour duration and 83.3-mile distance, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving earlier in the morning, perhaps before 8 AM, can help you avoid peak traffic, especially as you approach Queens. While there are no designated stops in the data, utilize the flexibility of this shorter drive to pull over as needed for breaks or to refuel if necessary, keeping the estimated $14 fuel cost in mind. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to your GPS and signage when transitioning between Sunrise Highway and Rockaway Boulevard, as these are key points in navigating the local road network.
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 41.7 miles from Water Mill, NY, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.3 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 18 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.7 miles or 1h 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Queens, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Water Mill, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Water Mill, NY
This is one driving day of about 83.3 miles and 2h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Water Mill, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Sunrise Highway for about 70.3 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 78 and 80.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
78 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward Belt Parkway West, Verrazano Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Belt Parkway West, Verrazano Bridge
5
78.2 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|BP / Belt Parkway
Merge onto BP / Belt Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
79.4 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward Rockaway Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21A
Toward Rockaway Boulevard
5
79.9 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|Rockaway Boulevard
Turn right onto Rockaway Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
80.4 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|Rockaway Boulevard
Keep slight left at fork onto Rockaway Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.71 one way
$27.42 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$14.83
$29.65
premium
$4.92
$16.15
$32.29
diesel
$5.61
$18.39
$36.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25
0
$8.75
$4.00
Efficient EV
20.8
0
$7.29
$3.33
EV Truck/SUV
33.3
0
$11.66
$5.33
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Water Mill, NY
Late night
in Water Mill on Sunday
Local time
4:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Queens, NY
Late night
in Queens on Sunday
Local time
4:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°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
4 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
2h on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Fire Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife, Fire Island has been a special...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 37.4
Park Closure: Pet Restrictions, Beach Driving Closures in Effect March 15 through Labor Day
Caution: Avian Influenza (HPAI) Suspected in Dead Birds in Seashore Areas
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 83.3
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 83.3
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 83.3
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...
9 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 83.3
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 83.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting frequent changes in direction rather than long, straight stretches. With a highway share of only 2, you'll be spending most of your time on local and county roads, interspersed with brief highway segments like Sunrise Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 70.3 miles on Sunrise Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before you transition back to more varied road conditions. Expect to navigate a mix of traffic patterns and road types as you make your way.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.3 mi on Sunrise Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 78 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 83.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 78 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.2 miles (BP / Belt Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.4 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.
On the drive from Water Mill, NY to Queens, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Belt Parkway West along the way.
Queens is a crescent-shaped (with a tail) borough traversing the north-to-south width of Long Island and including two of the major New York City area airports, LaGuardia (LGA IATA) and John F. Kennedy International (JFK IATA). It also carries the largest ethnic diversity in its area of any region in the world, with many small enclaves. Jackson Heights, for example, includes a huge Indian area, followed by a Colombian area, and then a Mexican area. Each offers a wide array of authentic shops, native-style cuisine, and festivals modified only slightly by the generally colder New York City experience.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h. Total distance: 83.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.3 miles on Sunrise Highway. 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 Queens, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 78 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.2 miles (BP / Belt Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fire Island National Seashore, African Burial Ground 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 Queens, NY before heading back.
