How far is Wantagh, NY from Manhattan, NY?
The driving distance from Wantagh, NY to Manhattan, NY is about 38.5 miles (61.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.9 miles (40 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 00m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A neighborhood in Queens, New York City.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wantagh and Manhattan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wantagh and Manhattan.
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1
Start on Wantagh Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · Wantagh Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Sunrise Highway
12.6 mi · 17 min · Sunrise Highway
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3
Take the exit straight toward Belt Parkway West, Verrazano Bridge
712 ft · 18 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Belt Parkway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Belt Parkway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Belt Parkway
2314 ft · 39 sec · Belt Parkway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway, Whitestone Bridge
2747 ft · 1 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway
2266 ft · 48 sec
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8
Keep slight left
1062 ft · 26 sec
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9
Continue on Van Wyck Expressway
5 mi · 6 min · Van Wyck Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
3092 ft · 58 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Long Island Expressway
4.4 mi · 7 min · Long Island Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, Hunters Point Avenue, Greenpoint Avenue
2280 ft · 44 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Laurel Hill Boulevard
24 m · 2 sec · Laurel Hill Boulevard
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Hunters Point Avenue
2199 ft · 1 min · Hunters Point Avenue
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15
Turn right onto Van Dam Street
1856 ft · 1 min · Van Dam Street
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16
Continue on Van Dam Street
34 m · 8 sec · Van Dam Street
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17
Turn left onto Queens Boulevard
1850 ft · 35 sec · Queens Boulevard
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18
Continue on Queensboro Plaza
1.2 km · 58 sec · Queensboro Plaza
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19
Continue on Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Level
1.4 km · 2 min · Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Level
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20
Keep slight right to continue on 60th Street West
97 m · 11 sec
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21
Turn left onto East 60th Street
708 ft · 28 sec · East 60th Street
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22
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
3148 ft · 2 min · 3rd Avenue
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23
Turn left onto East 72nd Street
1530 ft · 41 sec · East 72nd Street
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24
Turn right onto Madison Avenue
1.1 km · 3 min · Madison Avenue
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25
Turn left onto East 85th Street
154 m · 12 sec · East 85th Street
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26
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
1927 ft · 1 min · 86th Street Transverse
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 86th Street Transverse
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wantagh and Manhattan.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Sunrise Highway
Turn right onto Sunrise Highway
12.6 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Wantagh and Sunny near Manhattan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wantagh to Manhattan?
The road trip is about 38.5 miles (61.9 km) and usually takes 01h 00m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Jamaica is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.2 miles from Wantagh and 22.3 miles from Manhattan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.9 miles (40 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.03 one way or $12.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wantagh and Sunny near Manhattan.
Stop Ideas Near Jamaica
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Radio City Music Hall
The Yard: City Hall Park NYC
CITY HALL LOBBY
Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Jamaica.
Pennsylvania Station
New Rochelle station
Yonkers station
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wantagh and Manhattan. Straight-line distance: 24.85 mi (40 km).
#1 Wantagh
Place in Nassau County, New York, USA
| Population | 18,871 |
| Coordinates | 40.6837100, -73.5101300 |
| Altitude | 7 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Manhattan
The most densely populated borough of New York City.
| Population | 1,644,518 |
| Coordinates | 40.7834300, -73.9662500 |
| Altitude | 35 |
| Country | United States |
End: 86th Street Transverse Road (-73.965969, 40.783967)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 62 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.43 | $6.03 | $12.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.97 | $6.76 | $13.52 |
| Premium | $5.37 | $7.30 | $14.60 |
| Diesel | $6.51 | $8.85 | $17.70 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in New York · Oct 17, 2026