Trip from Montauk, NY to Manhattan, NY

Drive Time

Distance

116.6 mi

188 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

2h 49m ★

6 AM

3h 0m

8 AM

3h 23m

10 AM

3h 8m

12 PM

3h 6m

3 PM

3h 10m

5 PM

3h 22m

8 PM

2h 54m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Montauk, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Manhattan, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

Traveling from Montauk to Manhattan covers 119.5 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 52 minutes of driving time. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a highway sprint, it functions best as a focused one-day journey. You should budget approximately $19 for fuel to complete the trip. Since you are staying within the Northeast region throughout the entire drive, the transition from the eastern tip of Long Island to the city feels like a steady progression from coastal landscapes to dense urban environments. While it is certainly possible to do this in a single day, be prepared for consistent activity behind the wheel rather than long periods of cruising.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

58.3 miles from Montauk, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a hands-on experience on this 119.5-mile trek, as the route relies entirely on local roads like South Dearborn Place, Montauk Highway, and Montauk Point State Parkway. With a 0% highway share, this is a turn-heavy drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate grind. You will find no long, uninterrupted highway stretches, as even the longest segment on South Dearborn Place measures 0 miles. The road’s personality is defined by constant navigation through local corridors. You will feel the transition as the route winds its way toward the city, requiring you to stay alert through every turn and intersection along the way.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Long Island Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 51.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 55 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 116.6 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 55 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.7 miles (Hunters Point Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

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

55 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in

Take the exit toward CR 16 West: Yaphank, Horseblock Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 57N Toward CR 16 West: Yaphank, Horseblock Road

111.2 mi into trip | ~2h 46m 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...

111.7 mi into trip | ~2h 47m 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.

114.4 mi into trip | ~2h 53m 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

114.6 mi into trip | ~2h 54m in | 3rd Avenue

Turn right onto 3rd Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Montauk, NY to Manhattan, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 16 West: Yaphank along the way.

Cr 16 West: Yaphank

55 mi in | ~1h 29m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Long Island Expressway	51.7 mi	1h 10m
Sunrise Highway	24.2 mi	31m
Montauk Highway	16.8 mi	31m
County Road 39A	5.5 mi	11m
Montauk Point State Parkway	4.6 mi	6m
Horseblock Road	3.9 mi	5m
Main Street	1.7 mi	4m
Pantigo Road	1.2 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Long Island Expressway — 51.7 mi, about 1h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Second House Road

0.4 mi · 57 sec · Second House Road

Turn slight right onto South Dearborn Place

462 ft · 14 sec · South Dearborn Place

Merge onto NY 27

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Montauk Highway

Continue on NY 27

4.6 mi · 6 min · Montauk Point State Parkway

Continue on NY 27

5.5 mi · 8 min · Montauk Highway

Continue on NY 27

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Continue on NY 27

1.1 mi · 2 min · Montauk Highway

Continue on NY 27

1.2 mi · 2 min · Pantigo Road

Use the straight lane.

Continue on NY 27

1.0 mi · 2 min · Main Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto NY 27

0.5 mi · 1 min · Woods Lane

Use the right lane.

Continue on NY 27

10 mi · 20 min · Montauk Highway

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto NY 27

372 ft · 7 sec · NY 27

Toward NY 27 West: New York

Merge onto NY 27; CR 39A

5.5 mi · 11 min · County Road 39A

Continue on NY 27

24 mi · 31 min · Sunrise Highway

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 23 sec

Exit 57N Toward CR 16 West: Yaphank, Horseblock Road Use the right lane.

Turn left onto CR 56

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Victory Avenue

Turn right onto CR 16

3.9 mi · 5 min · Horseblock Road

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto Express Drive North

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Express Drive North

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward I 495 WEST: New York

Merge onto I 495

52 mi · 1 hr 10 min · Long Island Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Turn straight onto Laurel Hill Boulevard

80 ft · 2 sec · Laurel Hill Boulevard

Keep slight right at fork onto Hunters Point Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Hunters Point Avenue

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto Van Dam Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Van Dam Street

Continue on Van Dam Street

113 ft · 8 sec · Van Dam Street

Turn left onto NY 25

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Queens Boulevard

Continue on NY 25

0.7 mi · 57 sec · Queensboro Plaza

Continue on NY 25

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

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 25

317 ft · 11 sec · NY 25

Toward 60th Street West Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto East 60th Street

0.1 mi · 28 sec · East 60th Street

Turn right onto 3rd Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto East 72nd Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · East 72nd Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Madison Avenue

0.7 mi · 2 min · Madison Avenue

Turn left onto East 85th Street

507 ft · 12 sec · East 85th Street

Continue on 86th Street Transverse

0.4 mi · 1 min · 86th Street Transverse

Toward West Side

Arrive at destination

86th Street Transverse

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 2-hour and 52-minute journey, plan your departure carefully to avoid peak traffic congestion common on these local roads. Since you only have one planned stop, use it strategically to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $19 fuel budget in mind. Because this is a turn-heavy route with no highway segments, you should prioritize vehicle maintenance, specifically checking your tires and brakes before heading out. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so don't feel pressured to rush the drive. A concrete tip for this specific path is to pay close attention to local signage, as the lack of highway infrastructure means you will be navigating frequent turns and changes in road names throughout the trip.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 58.3 miles from Montauk, NY, or about 1h 34m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.7 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 80 miles or 2h 4m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 58.3 miles or 1h 34m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 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 Montauk, 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 Montauk, NY

This is one driving day of about 116.6 miles and 3h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Montauk, NY.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Long Island Expressway for about 51.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 58.3 mi from Montauk, NY · 1h 34m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brookhaven, NY

58 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.

Popular next leg

Brookhaven, NY to Manhattan, NY

63 mi · 1h 33m

Pacing Suggestions

Hempstead, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brookhaven, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58.3 miles from Montauk, 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.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Manhattan, NY.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.98 one way

$37.96 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.48	$20.57	$41.14
premium	$4.88	$22.42	$44.83
diesel	$5.64	$25.90	$51.81

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	35	$12.24	$5.60
Efficient EV	29.2	$10.20	$4.66
EV Truck/SUV	46.6	$16.32	$7.46

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Montauk, NY

Night in Montauk on Sunday

Local time

9:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Manhattan, NY

Night in Manhattan on Sunday

Local time

9:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

49°F

Brookhaven, NY

58 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

13 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

3h 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 Montauk, NY to Manhattan, NY covers 116.6 miles and takes about 3h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

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

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 58.3 miles from Montauk, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.98 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.