Drive Time
58m
Distance
41.2 mi
66 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
Photo: Renan Tagliaferro
The drive from Smithtown, NY to Elmhurst, NY covers 41.2 miles and takes about 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Long Island Expressway, Jericho Turnpike, Sunken Meadow State Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31.5 miles on Long Island Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.71 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
20.6 miles from Smithtown, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
This is a 58m highway drive covering 41.2 miles, with most of the trip on Long Island Expressway and Jericho Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is about 31.5 miles on Long Island Expressway.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
367 ft
Total Descent
399 ft
Highest Point
224 ft
~17.2 mi in
Elevation Range
206 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 11 significant decision points across 41.2 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 40 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
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 NY 25: Woodhaven Boulevard, Rockaways, 69th Street, Grand Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 25: Queens Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Smithtown, NY to Elmhurst, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Sm South: Bay Shore along the way.
Sm South: Bay Shore
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Long Island Expressway | 31.5 mi | 43m |
| Jericho Turnpike | 4 mi | 6m |
| Sunken Meadow State Parkway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Sagtikos State Parkway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| West Main Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Queens Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| LIE North Service Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Service Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Smithtown, NY and Elmhurst, 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
Turn right onto Queens Boulevard
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
Arrive at destination
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 41.2 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.6 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elmhurst, 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 41.2 miles and 58m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.6 mi from Smithtown, NY · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 41.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 20.6 miles from Smithtown, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Elmhurst, 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 Elmhurst, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$6.71 one way
$13.41 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $7.27 | $14.54 |
| premium | $4.88 | $7.92 | $15.84 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.15 | $18.31 |
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
$7
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.33 | $1.98 |
| Efficient EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.61 | $1.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.5 | 0 | $5.77 | $2.64 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Night in Smithtown on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Clear
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 2:05PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 4:31AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Night in Elmhurst on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
54°F
Hempstead, NY
21 mi in
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.
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