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Create accountDrive Time
1h 14m
Distance
49.3 mi
79 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
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.
Smithtown, NY
Peter Olexa
New York City, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Driving from Smithtown to New York City is a straightforward 49.3-mile trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 14 minutes. Because this is a short, efficient journey, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight arrangements. You can expect to spend roughly $8 on fuel, making it a very cost-effective way to transition from the suburbs of Long Island into the heart of the Northeast's biggest city. Since both your start and end points are located within the Northeast region, you will remain in a familiar geographic corridor throughout your drive. Whether you are heading into the city for business or a quick getaway, the logistics are simple enough to manage in a single morning or afternoon.
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
24.6 miles from Smithtown, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 87% of this route consists of high-speed travel. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating the Long Island Expressway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 34 miles. The journey begins with a blend of local transit via the Jericho Turnpike before transitioning into the heavy-traffic flow of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. While the drive is functional and direct, the transition from suburban Long Island roads to the dense infrastructure of the city is noticeable behind the wheel. It is a utilitarian commute that prioritizes speed and efficiency over scenic detours or winding country lanes.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
158 ft
Total Descent
178 ft
Highest Point
204 ft
~16.4 mi in
Elevation Range
172 ft
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.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 49.3 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 42.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward I 495 West: New York
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 West: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Between Smithtown, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Sm South: Bay Shore and Manhattan.
Sm South: Bay Shore
Manhattan
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Long Island Expressway | 34 mi | 46m |
| Jericho Turnpike | 4 mi | 6m |
| Brooklyn-Queens Expressway | 2 mi | 3m |
| Sunken Meadow State Parkway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Williamsburg Bridge | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| Sagtikos State Parkway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| West Main Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Delancey Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Smithtown, NY and New York City, NY.
Start on NY 25; NY 25A
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 25; NY 25A
Continue on NY 25
Take the ramp
Merge onto SM
Continue on SA
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto LIE North Service Road
Turn straight onto North Service Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 278
Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge
Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge
Continue on Delancey Street
Continue on Kenmare Street
At end of road, turn left onto Lafayette Street
Turn right onto Howard Street
Turn left onto Broadway
Arrive at destination
Given the heavy reliance on major expressways, timing is everything for this 1-hour and 14-minute trek. You should aim to avoid peak rush hours to ensure your travel time stays as close to the estimate as possible. Since there are zero planned stops on this route, make sure your fuel tank is ready for the $8 estimated cost before you merge onto the Long Island Expressway. With the route being relatively short, you have the advantage of total schedule flexibility, allowing you to depart whenever it best suits your plans. A specific tip for this drive: keep a close eye on real-time traffic updates for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, as conditions can change rapidly as you approach the city limits.
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 49.3 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.6 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.
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 49.3 miles and 1h 14m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.6 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.
A short stop after about 49.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 24.6 miles from Smithtown, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$8.03 one way
$16.05 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $8.70 | $17.39 |
| premium | $4.88 | $9.48 | $18.96 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.95 | $21.91 |
Estimated Tolls: $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: 17.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.18 | $2.37 |
| Efficient EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.31 | $1.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.90 | $3.16 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Smithtown on Sunday
Local time
4:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Sunny
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Afternoon in New York City on Sunday
Local time
4:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
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
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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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