Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Wading River, NY to Manhattan, NY

Drive Time

1h 46m

Distance

71.9 mi

116 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 39m ★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 42m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Wading River, NY, NY

Wading River, NY

Siarhei Nester

Downtown Manhattan, NY, NY

Manhattan, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

Traveling from Wading River to Manhattan covers 74.8 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 43 minutes. Since this is a relatively short distance, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $12 on fuel for the trip. Navigating from the quiet surroundings of Wading River into the heart of Manhattan involves a transition from suburban Long Island to a dense urban environment. This route functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, offering you the flexibility to head out and return on your own schedule.

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

35.9 miles from Wading River, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features 0% highway travel. You will spend the entire 1 hour and 43 minutes navigating local roads, which requires your full attention behind the wheel. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of highway, the pace remains steady but consistent with local traffic patterns. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience as you transition through various towns and intersections on your way 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 24 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 56.1 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

217 ft 20 ft

Total Climb

388 ft

Total Descent

381 ft

Highest Point

217 ft

~38.9 mi in

Elevation Range

197 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Long Island Expressway and William Floyd Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 71.9 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 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

6
2.3 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit toward CR 46 south: Smith Point Park

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

Use the left lane. Toward CR 46 south: Smith Point Park
6
9.5 mi into trip | ~15m 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. Toward I 495 West: New York
8
66.5 mi into trip | ~1h 32m 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
67 mi into trip | ~1h 33m 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
69.7 mi into trip | ~1h 39m 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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Long Island Expressway 56.1 mi 1h 16m
William Floyd Parkway 7.1 mi 10m
Route 25A 1.6 mi 2m
Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Level 0.9 mi 2m
Queensboro Plaza 0.7 mi <1m
Madison Avenue 0.7 mi 2m
3rd Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
Wading River Manor Road 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Long Island Expressway — 56.1 mi, about 1h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wading River, NY and Manhattan, NY.

1

Start on North Country Road

32 ft · 8 sec · North Country Road
2

Turn sharp left onto Wading River Manor Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Wading River Manor Road
3

Turn right onto NY 25A

0.3 mi · 29 sec · NY-25A
4

Continue on NY 25A

1.6 mi · 2 min · Route 25A
5

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Toward CR 46 south: Smith Point Park Use the left lane.
6

Continue on CR 46

7.1 mi · 10 min · William Floyd Parkway
7

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 495 West: New York Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 495

56 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

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.
10

Turn straight onto Laurel Hill Boulevard

80 ft · 2 sec · Laurel Hill Boulevard
11

Keep slight right at fork onto Hunters Point Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Hunters Point Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12

Turn right onto Van Dam Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Van Dam Street
13

Continue on Van Dam Street

113 ft · 8 sec · Van Dam Street
14

Turn left onto NY 25

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Queens Boulevard
15

Continue on NY 25

0.7 mi · 57 sec · Queensboro Plaza
16

Continue on NY 25

0.9 mi · 2 min · Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Level
17

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 25

317 ft · 11 sec · NY 25
Toward 60th Street West Use the slight right lane.
18

Turn left onto East 60th Street

0.1 mi · 28 sec · East 60th Street
19

Turn right onto 3rd Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue
Use the right lane.
20

Turn left onto East 72nd Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · East 72nd Street
Use the left lane.
21

Turn right onto Madison Avenue

0.7 mi · 2 min · Madison Avenue
22

Turn left onto East 85th Street

507 ft · 12 sec · East 85th Street
23

Continue on 86th Street Transverse

0.4 mi · 1 min · 86th Street Transverse
Toward West Side
24

Arrive at destination

86th Street Transverse

Trip Plan

Given the local nature of these 74.8 miles, plan your departure carefully to avoid peak congestion times on Long Island's local roads. Since there are zero scheduled stops on this route, you have the freedom to drive straight through, though you should ensure your tank is ready for the $12 fuel investment before you leave Wading River. Keep in mind that the lack of highway miles means your travel time can fluctuate significantly based on local traffic density. For the best experience, aim to leave during off-peak hours to keep your transit time closer to that 1 hour and 43-minute estimate.

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 35.9 miles from Wading River, NY, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.1 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 71.9 miles or 1h 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 35.9 miles or 51m 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 25m

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 Wading River, 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 Wading River, NY

This is one driving day of about 71.9 miles and 1h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Wading River, 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 56.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 35.9 mi from Wading River, NY · 51m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hempstead, NY

36 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

New York City, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 71.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hempstead, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 35.9 miles from Wading 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.

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

$11.70 one way

$23.41 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $12.68 $25.37
premium $4.88 $13.82 $27.64
diesel $5.64 $15.97 $31.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.6 0 $7.55 $3.45
Efficient EV 18 0 $6.29 $2.88
EV Truck/SUV 28.8 0 $10.07 $4.60

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 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.

Forecast data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Wading River, NY

Evening in Wading River on Sunday

Local time

8:54 PM

EDT

Current temp

36°F

Clear then Areas Of Frost

N 3 to 15 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 3:03PM EDT by NWS Upton NY

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 3:02PM EDT by NWS Upton NY

Destination

Manhattan, NY

Evening in Manhattan on Sunday

Local time

8:54 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Clear

N 2 to 14 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 3:03PM EDT by NWS Upton NY

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 3:02PM EDT by NWS Upton 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

8 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 46m 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 Wading River, NY to Manhattan, NY covers 71.9 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Long Island Expressway, William Floyd Parkway, Route 25A. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.9 miles from Wading River, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.70 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 15 significant decision points across 71.9 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 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Wading River, NY to Manhattan, NY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 20 ft to 217 ft elevation with about 388 ft of total climbing.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Manhattan, NY

Amherst, NY 398.8 mi · 6h 20m Angola, NY 383.3 mi · 8h 10m Lockport, NY 378.4 mi · 8h 1m Buffalo, NY 376.6 mi · 7h 52m

More from Wading River, NY

New York City, NY 72.2 mi · 1h 46m

More trips to Manhattan, NY

Ripley, NY 431.9 mi Tonawanda, NY 404.9 mi Dunkirk, NY 398.4 mi Conewango, NY 395 mi Wilson, NY 391.8 mi Persia, NY 391.6 mi

Explore more options from Wading River, NY or browse trips ending in Manhattan, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.

Explore maps for Wading River, NY or Manhattan, NY on MapSof.net.