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Trip from Selden, NY to New York City, NY

Drive Time

1h 26m

Distance

58.4 mi

94 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

19 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 20 min
4 AM
1h 20m ★
6 AM
1h 27m
8 AM
1h 40m
10 AM
1h 31m
12 PM
1h 30m
3 PM
1h 32m
5 PM
1h 39m
8 PM
1h 23m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Selden, NY, NY

Selden, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Downtown New York City, NY, NY

New York City, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

Driving from Selden to New York City is a straightforward 58.4-mile trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 26 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. You should budget approximately $9 for fuel to complete the journey. The drive connects the suburban landscape of Long Island directly into the heart of the city. Since the entire trip takes place within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent transition from residential areas to the dense urban environment of New York City.

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

29.2 miles from Selden, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 40m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience, as 83% of this drive is spent on major arterial roads. You will navigate a mix of Nicolls Road, the Long Island Expressway, and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway to reach your destination. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel involves a 46.4-mile stretch along the Long Island Expressway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. While the route is efficient for travel, be prepared for the fast-paced, high-traffic nature of these major expressways as you move closer to the city.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 46.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

197 ft 8 ft

Total Climb

292 ft

Total Descent

345 ft

Highest Point

197 ft

~29.2 mi in

Elevation Range

190 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Island Expressway and Nicolls Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 51.6 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 58.4 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 51.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

7
51.6 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in

Take the exit toward I 278 West: Brooklyn

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 17W Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
8
52.6 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, 48th Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, 48th Street
7
52.7 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 278 West: Brooklyn

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
9
55.1 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in | Williamsburg Bridge

Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge toward Williamsburg Bridge, 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 32A Toward Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan
7
57.7 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in | Lafayette Street

At end of road, turn left onto Lafayette Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Selden, NY to New York City, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Manhattan along the way.

Manhattan

55.1 mi in | ~1h 16m | via Williamsburg Bridge

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Long Island Expressway 46.4 mi 1h 2m
Nicolls Road 2.5 mi 3m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway 2 mi 3m
Williamsburg Bridge 1.9 mi 4m
Middle Country Road 1.8 mi 2m
Delancey Street 0.5 mi 1m
Broadway 0.5 mi 1m
Kenmare Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Long Island Expressway — 46.4 mi, about 1h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Selden, NY and New York City, NY.

1

Start on NY 25

1.8 mi · 2 min · Middle Country Road
Use the none lane.
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward CR 97 south: Blue Point Use the left lane.
3

Merge onto CR 97

2.5 mi · 3 min · Nicolls Road
Use the none lane.
4

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 495 West: New York Use the right lane.
5

Turn straight onto Express Drive North

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Express Drive North
Use the none lane.
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward I-495 west: New York
7

Merge onto I 495

46 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Long Island Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 17W Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 10 sec
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, 48th Street Use the none lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto I 278

2.0 mi · 3 min · Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Use the none lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge

0.7 mi · 1 min · Williamsburg Bridge
Exit 32A Toward Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge

1.2 mi · 2 min · Williamsburg Bridge
Use the slight left lane.
14

Continue on Delancey Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Delancey Street
Use the straight lane.
15

Continue on Kenmare Street

0.2 mi · 57 sec · Kenmare Street
16

At end of road, turn left onto Lafayette Street

0.2 mi · 43 sec · Lafayette Street
Use the left lane.
17

Turn right onto Howard Street

510 ft · 24 sec · Howard Street
18

Turn left onto Broadway

0.5 mi · 1 min · Broadway
Use the straight / none lanes.
19

Arrive at destination

Broadway

Trip Plan

Given the heavy reliance on major expressways, timing your departure to avoid peak commuter traffic is essential for a smooth arrival. Since the 58.4-mile trek is relatively short, you have the flexibility to head out early or late depending on your schedule. You won't need to plan for formal stops, as the duration is under an hour and a half, allowing you to drive straight through. A helpful tip for this route is to monitor real-time traffic reports specifically for the Long Island Expressway and Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, as congestion can fluctuate rapidly on these primary corridors.

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 29.2 miles from Selden, NY, or about 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.4 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 58.4 miles or 1h 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 29.2 miles or 40m 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 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Selden, 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 Selden, NY

This is one driving day of about 58.4 miles and 1h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Selden, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Long Island Expressway for about 46.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 29.2 mi from Selden, NY · 40m into the drive

Downtown Port Washington, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Port Washington, NY

29 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

Port Washington, NY to New York City, NY

22.9 mi · 41m

Pacing Suggestions

Brooklyn, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Port Washington, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 29.2 miles from Selden, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in New York City, NY

The final approach into New York City, 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 New York City, NY.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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...

0 mi from route Free near mile 58.4
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 58.4
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

1 mi from route ~1 min detour Free near mile 58.4
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 58.4
View on nps.gov
Governors Island National Monument

Governors Island National Monument

National Monument

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...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 58.4
View on nps.gov
Statue Of Liberty National Monument

Statue Of Liberty National Monument

National Monument

A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 58.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$9.51 one way

$19.01 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 20 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $10.30 $20.61
premium $4.88 $11.23 $22.45
diesel $5.64 $12.97 $25.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 20.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

19 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Popeyes - Tesla Supercharger

Centereach, NY

Tesla

12 DCFC

Smith Haven Mall - Tesla Supercharger

Lake Grove, NY

Tesla

8 DCFC

Target South Setauket #T1191

South Setauket, NY

eVgo Network

6 DCFC

Ford of Smithtown

St James, NY

RED_E

6 DCFC

Lerner NYC Station Plaza (Port Jefferson Station, NY)

Port Jefferson Station, NY

Electrify America

4 DCFC

Sam's Club 6428 (Medford, NY)

Medford, NY

Electrify America

4 DCFC

Advantage Honda

Saint James, NY

Blink Network

4 DCFC

Simon Smith Haven Mall (Lake Grove, NY)

Lake Grove, NY

Electrify America

3 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 8 Electrify America: 3 eVgo Network: 2 Tesla: 2 BP_PULSE: 1 Blink Network: 1 Non-Networked: 1 RED_E: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 17.5 0 $6.13 $2.80
Efficient EV 14.6 0 $5.11 $2.34
EV Truck/SUV 23.4 0 $8.18 $3.74

Gas CO2

20 kg

EV CO2

7 kg (65% 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 hours ago

Origin

Selden, NY

Night in Selden on Sunday

Local time

10:16 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New York City, NY

Night in New York City on Sunday

Local time

10:16 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Mostly Sunny

SE 14 mph 1% chance 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

1h 26m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Selden, NY to New York City, NY covers 58.4 miles and takes about 1h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Long Island Expressway, Nicolls Road, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.2 miles from Selden, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.51 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 is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 58.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 51.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Selden, NY to New York City, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Manhattan along the way.

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