Origin
West Bay Shore, NY
Late night in West Bay Shore on Thursday
Local time
12:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Bay Shore, NY to New York City, NY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 13m
Distance
46.8 mi
75 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 8m
★
6 AM
1h 14m
8 AM
1h 25m
10 AM
1h 18m
12 PM
1h 17m
3 PM
1h 18m
5 PM
1h 25m
8 PM
1h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Bay Shore, NY
Sarah O'Shea
New York City, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 46.8 miles from West Bay Shore to New York City, this trip is a straightforward journey within the Northeast region. You can easily complete the drive in about 1 hour and 13 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $7, it is a cost-effective way to transition from Long Island into the city. Since there are no required stops along the way, you have the flexibility to head out whenever your schedule permits. This route serves as a practical link between suburban West Bay Shore and the urban center 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
23.4 miles from West Bay Shore, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you navigate toward the city. The route relies on a mix of thoroughfares, including the Sunrise Highway, the Van Wyck Expressway, and the Long Island Expressway. Only about 29% of your total mileage is spent on highways, so you will spend much of your time managing local traffic patterns. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 23.8 miles you spend on the Sunrise Highway. Be prepared for the transition from the more open suburban roads to the denser, more technical navigation required as you approach the city limits.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Sunrise Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 23.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
108 ft
7 ft
Total Climb
194 ft
Total Descent
177 ft
Highest Point
108 ft
~39 mi in
Elevation Range
101 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 46.8 miles you will encounter 23 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 29.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 40 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
29.9 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway, Whitestone Bridge
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 19
Toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway, Whites...
7
36 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Take the exit toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12B
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
7
40 mi into trip
|
~58m 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
7
41.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 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
43.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between West Bay Shore, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Belt Parkway West and Manhattan.
Belt Parkway West
27.5 mi in
|
~39m
Manhattan
43.4 mi in
|
~1h 3m
|
via Williamsburg Bridge
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise Highway | 23.8 mi | 31m |
| Van Wyck Expressway | 5 mi | 6m |
| Long Island Expressway | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Belt Parkway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Brooklyn-Queens Expressway | 2 mi | 3m |
| Williamsburg Bridge | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| Union Boulevard | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Babylon-Northport Expressway | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Sunrise Highway
— 23.8 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Bay Shore, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on Thompson Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Thompson Drive
2
At end of road, turn left onto CR 50
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Union Boulevard
3
Take the ramp
105 ft
·
3 sec
Toward NY 231 North
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
5
Turn straight onto NY 231
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Babylon-Northport Expressway
6
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward NY 27 West: New York
Use the right lane.
7
Turn straight onto Sunrise Highway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunrise Highway
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward NY 27 West
9
Merge onto NY 27
23 mi
·
30 min
·
Sunrise Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward Belt Parkway West, Verrazano Bridge
11
Merge onto BP
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Belt Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto BP
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Belt Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 19
Toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway, Whitestone Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
16
Continue on I 678
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Van Wyck Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 12B
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
Use the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 495
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 17W
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, 48th Street
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 278
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
23
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.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Williamsburg Bridge
Use the slight left lane.
25
Continue on Delancey Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Delancey Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on Kenmare Street
0.2 mi
·
57 sec
·
Kenmare Street
27
At end of road, turn left onto Lafayette Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
Lafayette Street
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto Howard Street
510 ft
·
24 sec
·
Howard Street
29
Turn left onto Broadway
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
Use the straight lane.
30
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of being able to plan your departure around local traffic fluctuations. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, stay alert for lane changes and exits as you transition between the Sunrise Highway and the major expressways. You won't need to worry about long-distance rest stops, but keeping your fuel tank topped off before leaving West Bay Shore is a smart way to avoid city gas prices. Because this drive is under 50 miles, treat it as a flexible commute rather than a long-haul trek. Use the 1 hour and 13 minute travel time as your baseline when checking live traffic reports before you head out.
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 23.4 miles from West Bay Shore, NY, or about 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.8 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 10 miles or 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 23.4 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.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West Bay Shore, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from West Bay Shore, NY
This is one driving day of about 46.8 miles and 1h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 10 miles from West Bay Shore, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Sunrise Highway for about 23.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.4 mi from West Bay Shore, NY · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.4 miles from West Bay Shore, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.70 one way
$15.41 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $8.33 | $16.66 |
| premium | $4.92 | $9.07 | $18.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.33 | $20.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14 | 0 | $4.91 | $2.25 |
| Efficient EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.10 | $1.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.7 | 0 | $6.55 | $3.00 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
New York City, NY
Late night in New York City on Thursday
Local time
12:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 7 to 14 mph
18% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 7:26PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:25PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
14 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 13m 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 West Bay Shore, NY to New York City, NY covers 46.8 miles and takes about 1h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Sunrise Highway, Van Wyck Expressway, Long Island Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.4 miles from West Bay Shore, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.70 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 46.8 miles you will encounter 23 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 29.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 40 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between West Bay Shore, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Belt Parkway West and Manhattan.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 7 ft to 108 ft elevation with about 194 ft of total climbing.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Return Trip
New York City, NY to West Bay Shore, NYPlan the drive back the other way.
46.8 mi
1h 13m
Continue From New York City, NY
More trips to New York City, NY
Explore more options from West Bay Shore, NY or browse trips ending in New York City, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.
Explore maps for West Bay Shore, NY or New York City, NY on MapSof.net.