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Trip from East Islip, NY to Manhattan, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 17m

Distance

50.5 mi

81 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$8

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 18 min
4 AM
1h 12m ★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 30m
10 AM
1h 22m
12 PM
1h 21m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 29m
8 PM
1h 14m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown East Islip, NY, NY

East Islip, NY

Mel Audelo

borough of New York City, New York, United States

Manhattan, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from East Islip, NY to Manhattan, NY covers 50.5 miles and takes about 1h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Sunrise Highway, Van Wyck Expressway, Long Island Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 29.2 miles on Sunrise Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.31 one way before food or hotel costs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 17m. Total distance: 50.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 17m drive with frequent turns across 50.5 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Sunrise Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 29.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 1.5 miles in near CR 50 / Union Boulevard.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 50.5 miles you will encounter 25 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 1.5 miles (CR 50 / Union Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (Nassau Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 34 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 25 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
1.5 mi into trip | ~2m in | CR 50 / Union Boulevard

Turn left onto CR 50 / Union Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
1.6 mi into trip | ~2m in | Nassau Avenue

Turn right onto Nassau Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
8
34 mi into trip | ~47m in

Take the exit toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway, Whitestone Bridge

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 19 Toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway, Whites...
7
40.1 mi into trip | ~56m in

Take the exit toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 12B Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
8
45.1 mi into trip | ~1h 3m 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...

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 East Islip, NY to Manhattan, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Belt Parkway West along the way.

Belt Parkway West

31.6 mi in | ~43m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Sunrise Highway 29.2 mi 39m
Van Wyck Expressway 5 mi 6m
Long Island Expressway 4.4 mi 6m
Belt Parkway 2.3 mi 3m
East Main Street 1.2 mi 1m
Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Level 0.9 mi 2m
Queensboro Plaza 0.7 mi <1m
Madison Avenue 0.7 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Sunrise Highway — 29.2 mi, about 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Islip, NY and Manhattan, NY.

1

Start on Pauchogue Avenue

59 ft · 7 sec · Pauchogue Avenue
2

Turn left onto NY 27A

1.2 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
3

Turn right onto NY 111

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Islip Avenue
4

Turn left onto CR 50

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Union Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5

Turn right onto Nassau Avenue

177 ft · 4 sec · Nassau Avenue
Use the right lane.
6

Continue on Nassau Avenue

461 ft · 12 sec · Nassau Avenue
7

Continue on Commack Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Commack Road
8

Turn left onto Sunrise Highway

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Sunrise Highway
Use the left lane.
9

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward NY 27 West: New York
10

Merge onto NY 27

29 mi · 38 min · Sunrise Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward Belt Parkway West, Verrazano Bridge
12

Merge onto BP

1.8 mi · 2 min · Belt Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto BP

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Belt Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 19 Toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway, Whitestone Bridge Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 25 sec
17

Continue on I 678

5.0 mi · 6 min · Van Wyck Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
18

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 58 sec
Exit 12B Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel Use the slight right lane.
19

Merge onto I 495

4.4 mi · 6 min · Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 43 sec
Exit 16 Toward Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, Hunters Point Avenue, Greenpoint Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Turn straight onto Laurel Hill Boulevard

80 ft · 2 sec · Laurel Hill Boulevard
22

Keep slight right at fork onto Hunters Point Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Hunters Point Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
23

Turn right onto Van Dam Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Van Dam Street
24

Continue on Van Dam Street

113 ft · 8 sec · Van Dam Street
25

Turn left onto NY 25

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Queens Boulevard
26

Continue on NY 25

0.7 mi · 57 sec · Queensboro Plaza
27

Continue on NY 25

0.9 mi · 2 min · Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Level
28

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 25

317 ft · 11 sec · NY 25
Toward 60th Street West Use the slight right lane.
29

Turn left onto East 60th Street

0.1 mi · 28 sec · East 60th Street
30

Turn right onto 3rd Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue
Use the right lane.
31

Turn left onto East 72nd Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · East 72nd Street
Use the left lane.
32

Turn right onto Madison Avenue

0.7 mi · 2 min · Madison Avenue
33

Turn left onto East 85th Street

507 ft · 12 sec · East 85th Street
34

Continue on 86th Street Transverse

0.4 mi · 1 min · 86th Street Transverse
Toward West Side
35

Arrive at destination

86th Street Transverse

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 25.2 mi from East Islip, NY · 35m into the drive

census-designated place in Nassau County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Baldwin Harbor, NY

25 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

North Lindenhurst, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Baldwin Harbor, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 25.2 miles from East Islip, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Manhattan, NY

The final approach into Manhattan, NY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$8.31 one way

$16.63 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 18 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $8.99 $17.98
premium $4.92 $9.79 $19.58
diesel $5.61 $11.15 $22.30

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$8

Estimated CO2 emission: 17.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 15.1 0 $5.30 $2.42
Efficient EV 12.6 0 $4.42 $2.02
EV Truck/SUV 20.2 0 $7.07 $3.23

Gas CO2

18 kg

EV CO2

6 kg (67% 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 15, 2026

Origin

East Islip, NY

Afternoon in East Islip on Friday

Local time

3:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Manhattan, NY

Afternoon in Manhattan on Friday

Local time

3:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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 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 17m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from East Islip, NY to Manhattan, NY covers 50.5 miles and takes about 1h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Sunrise Highway, Van Wyck Expressway, Long Island Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 25.2 miles from East Islip, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.31 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 50.5 miles you will encounter 25 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (CR 50 / Union Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (Nassau Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 34 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

On the drive from East Islip, NY to Manhattan, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Belt Parkway West along the way.

Yes. Nearby national parks include General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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