You can make New York to Montauk in about 3 hours, but the people who love this drive never do it in one straight shot. At around 120 miles on I-495 and NY-27, it is short enough to start after breakfast and long enough to earn a night somewhere memorable close to the park gates.
Open this route in XCRSNLeaving New York
Aim to clear New York before the morning rush, or after it, never in it. Fill the tank on the edge of town where prices usually drop, set the playlist, and settle in for the first 93 miles to Southampton.
The headline stop on this route is Southampton village beaches. Leave real time for it; it sets the tone for the whole trip.
Southampton
Southampton sits about 93 miles in. It is the natural place to stop for the night: hotels are plentiful, rates beat the big-city ends of the route, and you wake up with the hardest miles already behind you.
Nearby, East Hampton's Main Street is worth the short detour if the day is going well.
East Hampton, the last stretch
East Hampton sits about 106 miles in. It is the natural place to stop for the night: hotels are plentiful, rates beat the big-city ends of the route, and you wake up with the hardest miles already behind you.
Rolling into Montauk
The final 14 miles always go faster than you expect. Save a little energy for Montauk Point Lighthouse; it is a fitting finish.
By the end you will have seen Southampton village beaches, East Hampton's Main Street and Montauk Point Lighthouse, and you will understand why this corridor is a classic.
When to go and how to pace it
One night is the sweet spot. Southampton or East Hampton, NY is where most people stay, so book ahead on summer weekends.
Check live gas prices along I-495 and NY-27 before you go; they can swing a lot from one state or county to the next. XCRSN prices every leg for your exact car.
