Origin
Smithtown, NY
Morning in Smithtown on Wednesday
Local time
6:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Smithtown, NY to Manhattan, NY
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 14m
Distance
49 mi
79 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 9m
★
6 AM
1h 15m
8 AM
1h 26m
10 AM
1h 19m
12 PM
1h 17m
3 PM
1h 19m
5 PM
1h 26m
8 PM
1h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Smithtown, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Manhattan, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 49-mile drive from Smithtown to Manhattan, NY, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 14 minutes. With 85% of the route on highways, it’s designed for efficient travel, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily navigate the Long Island Expressway, Jericho Turnpike, and Sunken Meadow State Parkway, covering a longest stretch of 35.1 miles on the Long Island Expressway without interruption. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $8, making it a budget-friendly option for getting from the Northeast region of New York to another part of the Northeast. This route prioritizes speed and directness, ideal for those looking to get to their destination quickly.
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
24.5 miles from Smithtown, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 49-mile trip, with 85% of your travel time spent on high-speed roads. The majority of this drive unfolds along the Long Island Expressway, which offers a consistent, uninterrupted stretch of 35.1 miles. While Jericho Turnpike and Sunken Meadow State Parkway provide some variation, the overall character is one of efficient transit rather than scenic exploration. You'll find yourself moving steadily, with minimal slowdowns, as you transition from Long Island's parkways and expressways towards the denser urban environment of Manhattan. The route is built for covering ground quickly.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 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 35.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Island Expressway and Jericho Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 49 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 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
7.5 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward I 495 West: New York
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit S1W
Toward I 495 West: New York
8
7.6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 West: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 495 West: New York
8
43.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 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...
6
44 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m 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.
7
46.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m 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
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 Smithtown, NY to Manhattan, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Sm South: Bay Shore along the way.
Sm South: Bay Shore
4.6 mi in
|
~7m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Long Island Expressway | 35.1 mi | 48m |
| Jericho Turnpike | 4 mi | 6m |
| Sunken Meadow State Parkway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Level | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Sagtikos State Parkway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| Queensboro Plaza | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Madison Avenue | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| 3rd Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 35.1 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smithtown, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on NY 25; NY 25A
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 25; NY 25A
179 ft
·
5 sec
·
West Main Street
3
Continue on NY 25
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Jericho Turnpike
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward SM South: Bay Shore
5
Merge onto SM
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Sunken Meadow State Parkway
6
Continue on SA
0.8 mi
·
49 sec
·
Sagtikos State Parkway
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit S1W
Toward I 495 West: New York
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 495 West: New York
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto LIE North Service Road
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
LIE North Service Road
10
Turn straight onto North Service Road
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
North Service Road
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 495 West: New York
12
Merge onto I 495
35 mi
·
48 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Turn straight onto Laurel Hill Boulevard
80 ft
·
2 sec
·
Laurel Hill Boulevard
15
Keep slight right at fork onto Hunters Point Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Hunters Point Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto Van Dam Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Van Dam Street
17
Continue on Van Dam Street
113 ft
·
8 sec
·
Van Dam Street
18
Turn left onto NY 25
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Queens Boulevard
19
Continue on NY 25
0.7 mi
·
57 sec
·
Queensboro Plaza
20
Continue on NY 25
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Level
21
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 25
317 ft
·
11 sec
·
NY 25
Toward 60th Street West
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn left onto East 60th Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
East 60th Street
23
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Avenue
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto East 72nd Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
East 72nd Street
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto Madison Avenue
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Avenue
26
Turn left onto East 85th Street
507 ft
·
12 sec
·
East 85th Street
27
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
86th Street Transverse
Toward West Side
28
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 49-mile distance and 1 hour 14 minute duration, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can depart at any time, but consider leaving early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid potential traffic delays, especially as you approach Manhattan. The $8 fuel cost is quite economical, so keeping your tank topped up shouldn't be a major concern. Since there are no recommended stops, you can push through to your destination if time is of the essence, or pull over briefly as needed. A practical tip for this route: be mindful of lane changes as you transition from the Long Island Expressway onto other major arteries towards Manhattan, as traffic can shift quickly.
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 24.5 miles from Smithtown, NY, or about 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.1 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 49 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.5 miles or 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 57m
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 Smithtown, 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 Smithtown, NY
This is one driving day of about 49 miles and 1h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Smithtown, 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 35.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.5 mi from Smithtown, NY · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.5 miles from Smithtown, 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
$8.07 one way
$16.13 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $8.72 | $17.44 |
| premium | $4.92 | $9.50 | $18.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.82 | $21.64 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.28
Jericho Turnpike
(4 mi)
$0.28
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.7 | 0 | $5.15 | $2.35 |
| Efficient EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.29 | $1.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.86 | $3.14 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Morning in Manhattan on Wednesday
Local time
6:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
21 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 14m 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 Smithtown, NY to Manhattan, NY covers 49 miles and takes about 1h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Long Island Expressway, Jericho Turnpike, Sunken Meadow 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 24.5 miles from Smithtown, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.07 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 17 significant decision points across 49 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 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Smithtown, NY to Manhattan, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Sm South: Bay Shore along the way.
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