Origin
North Great River, NY
Afternoon in North Great River on Friday
Local time
4:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Great River, 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 20m
Distance
53.6 mi
86 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 14m
★
6 AM
1h 20m
8 AM
1h 33m
10 AM
1h 25m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 25m
5 PM
1h 32m
8 PM
1h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Great River, NY
Cristian Pedroso
Manhattan, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 53.6-mile drive from North Great River, NY, to Manhattan, NY, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Southern State Parkway, Long Island Expressway, and Heckscher State Parkway, this route offers an efficient journey into the heart of the city. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $9. Given its relatively short distance and focused highway profile, it’s an ideal day trip without the need for an overnight stay. This route keeps you within New York State for its entirety, moving from a suburban setting to a major urban center.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 20m. Total distance: 53.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for 80% of this trip. You'll spend a good portion of your time on the Southern State Parkway, where the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 25 miles. The transition from parkways to the Long Island Expressway means you'll experience a mix of controlled-access parkways and busier expressway conditions as you approach Manhattan. While not overly complex, the highway environment is the dominant characteristic of this route, making it a straightforward, albeit potentially busy, transit.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southern State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 25 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern State Parkway and Long Island Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.
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 53.6 miles you will encounter 28 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 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 36 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 28 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the exit toward NY 27A, CR 85: Montauk Highway, Oakdale, Great River
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 46A
Toward NY 27A, CR 85: Montauk Highway, Oakdale,...
8
35.8 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
8
36 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hempstead Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Hempstead Avenue West
8
39.4 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Take the exit toward I 495: Long Island Expressway, Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4E-W
Toward I 495: Long Island Expressway, Manhattan...
10
39.6 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 495 West: Long Island Expressway West, 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 4W
Toward I 495 West: Long Island Expressway West,...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North Great River, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand and Eastern Long Island.
Cross Island Parkway North
34.1 mi in
|
~44m
Hempstead Avenue West
35.9 mi in
|
~47m
Grandstand
36 mi in
|
~47m
Eastern Long Island
39.4 mi in
|
~53m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern State Parkway | 25 mi | 31m |
| Long Island Expressway | 8.4 mi | 11m |
| Heckscher State Parkway | 6.9 mi | 8m |
| Clearview Expressway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Cross Island Parkway | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Montauk Highway | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Hempstead Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Level | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Southern State Parkway
— 25 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Great River, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on NY 27
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunrise Highway
2
Take the exit
442 ft
·
18 sec
Exit 46A
Toward NY 27A, CR 85: Montauk Highway, Oakdale, Great River
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Turn right onto NY 27A
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Montauk Highway
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward To NY 27: Southern Parkway west, New York
5
Merge onto H
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Heckscher State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on SO
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Southern State Parkway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
25 mi
·
31 min
·
Southern State Parkway
Use the slight left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto CI
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Cross Island Parkway
10
Take the exit
317 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 26B
Toward NY 24: UBS Arena-Belmont Park
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
437 ft
·
12 sec
Toward NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West
13
Keep slight right at fork
266 ft
·
8 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
this road
Toward Grandstand, Hempstead Avenue West
15
Keep slight left at fork
100 ft
·
4 sec
Toward Hempstead Avenue
16
Turn right onto NY 24
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Hempstead Avenue
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Jamaica Avenue
18
Turn right onto NY 24
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
212th Street
19
Continue on I 295
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck Bridge
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 4E-W
Toward I 495: Long Island Expressway, Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
Use the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 4W
Toward I 495 West: Long Island Expressway West, Manhattan
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 495
8.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
Turn straight onto Laurel Hill Boulevard
80 ft
·
2 sec
·
Laurel Hill Boulevard
25
Keep slight right at fork onto Hunters Point Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Hunters Point Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto Van Dam Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Van Dam Street
27
Continue on Van Dam Street
113 ft
·
8 sec
·
Van Dam Street
28
Turn left onto NY 25
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Queens Boulevard
29
Continue on NY 25
0.7 mi
·
57 sec
·
Queensboro Plaza
30
Continue on NY 25
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Level
31
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 25
317 ft
·
11 sec
·
NY 25
Toward 60th Street West
Use the slight right lane.
32
Turn left onto East 60th Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
East 60th Street
33
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Avenue
Use the right lane.
34
Turn left onto East 72nd Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
East 72nd Street
Use the left lane.
35
Turn right onto Madison Avenue
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Avenue
36
Turn left onto East 85th Street
507 ft
·
12 sec
·
East 85th Street
37
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
86th Street Transverse
Toward West Side
38
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.8 mi from North Great River, NY · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.8 miles from North Great River, 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
$8.82 one way
$17.65 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $9.54 | $19.08 |
| premium | $4.92 | $10.39 | $20.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.83 | $23.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.63 | $2.57 |
| Efficient EV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.69 | $2.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.50 | $3.43 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Afternoon in Manhattan on Friday
Local time
4:05 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
12 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 20m 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 North Great River, NY to Manhattan, NY covers 53.6 miles and takes about 1h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southern State Parkway, Long Island Expressway, Heckscher State Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.8 miles from North Great River, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.82 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 53.6 miles you will encounter 28 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 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 36 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between North Great River, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West, Grandstand and Eastern Long Island.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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