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Create accountDrive Time
1h 8m
Distance
44.6 mi
72 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New York City, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Commack, NY
Mel Audelo
If you are planning a trip from New York City to Commack, you are looking at a manageable 44.6-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 8 minutes. This highway-focused route is ideal for a quick day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $7 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. Navigating out of the city and onto Long Island is straightforward, as the path relies heavily on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and the Long Island Expressway. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, this simple Northeast corridor drive gets you where you need to be efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
22.3 miles from New York City, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .
Expect a drive defined by high-speed transit, as 80% of your travel takes place on major highways. The experience is dominated by an extended 31.4-mile stretch along the Long Island Expressway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. While the initial portion of the trip involves the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, the road eventually transitions toward local access via Commack Road as you approach your destination. The personality of this route is functional and direct rather than scenic, providing a consistent pace for the majority of the hour-long commute. You will spend most of your time in the flow of heavy highway traffic, so prepare for a focused, steady driving experience.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
69 ft
Total Descent
48 ft
Highest Point
55 ft
~14.9 mi in
Elevation Range
49 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Island Expressway and Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Chambers Street.
Complex — stay alert throughout
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 44.6 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: near the start (Chambers Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp — move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Lane positioning matters here
Exit ramp — move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one
Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one
Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one
Exit ramp — move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one
Between New York City, NY and Commack, NY, road signs point toward Eastern Long Island, 48Th Street, 48 Street, Riverhead and Babylon.
Eastern Long Island
48Th Street
48 Street
Riverhead
Babylon
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Long Island Expressway | 31.4 mi | 44m |
| Brooklyn-Queens Expressway | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| Commack Road | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| L I Exwy Service Road | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| South Service Road | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Brooklyn Bridge | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Prospect Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Chambers Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Commack, NY.
Start on Broadway
Turn left onto Chambers Street
Turn right onto Centre Street
Continue on Brooklyn Bridge
Take the exit
Turn right
Turn right onto Cadman Plaza West
Turn slight right
Turn slight right onto Prospect Street
Turn right onto Jay Street
At end of road, turn left onto Sands Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 278
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Turn straight onto South Service Road
Continue on L I Exwy Service Road
Turn left onto CR 4
Arrive at destination
To ensure the smoothest travel experience, try to time your departure to avoid peak commuting hours, as the reliance on the Long Island Expressway makes this route sensitive to traffic volume. Since the total drive is only 44.6 miles, you have the flexibility to head out whenever it suits your schedule without worrying about lengthy rest stops or mid-trip hotel reservations. Budgeting roughly $7 for fuel should keep you covered, but it is wise to fill up before leaving the city to avoid potential delays. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep a close eye on navigation updates regarding the Long Island Expressway, as traffic patterns can shift quickly along that 31.4-mile stretch.
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.
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 44.6 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 22.3 miles or 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Commack, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving New York City, 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 New York City, NY
This is one driving day of about 44.6 miles and 1h 8m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.3 mi from New York City, NY · 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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.
A short stop after about 44.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 22.3 miles from New York City, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Commack, 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 Commack, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$7.04 one way
$14.08 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $7.87 | $15.74 |
| premium | $4.86 | $8.54 | $17.07 |
| diesel | $4.69 | $8.24 | $16.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.68 | $2.14 |
| Efficient EV | 11.2 | 0 | $3.90 | $1.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.24 | $2.85 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in New York City on Sunday
Local time
6:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Sunny
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Evening in Commack on Sunday
Local time
6:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Sunny
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Binghamton 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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