Driving from Midtown Manhattan to the Hamptons takes about 2.5–3.5 hours for 90–120 miles, depending on traffic and your exact village.
The question how far are the hamptons from new york city? pops up every summer when city heat, crowded subways, and office air-conditioning start to wear thin. The answer is not just a number on a map. Distance on Long Island shifts with traffic, the village you pick, and whether you drive, ride the Long Island Rail Road, or hop on a coach.
How Far Are The Hamptons From New York City? Distance Basics
The Hamptons are a string of villages and hamlets at the far end of Long Island’s South Fork, from Westhampton out to Montauk. From Midtown Manhattan, the run ranges from roughly 80 miles to Westhampton to about 120 miles to Montauk. On paper that can look like a simple two to three hour drive. On a hot Friday afternoon, the story changes.
As a rule of thumb, plan around 2.5 to 3.5 hours by car from Manhattan to most Hamptons towns in steady traffic. On summer weekends, long holidays, or rainy Sundays when everyone leaves at once, that window stretches, and a four hour haul is common. Trains and buses follow similar patterns: quick on quiet days, slower once crowds build.
| Hamptons Destination | Approximate Distance From Midtown (Miles) | Typical Drive Time In Light Traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Westhampton | 80 | 2 to 2.5 hours |
| Hampton Bays | 90 | 2 to 2.75 hours |
| Southampton | 95 | 2.25 to 3 hours |
| Bridgehampton | 102 | 2.5 to 3 hours |
| East Hampton | 110 | 2.5 to 3.25 hours |
| Amagansett | 112 | 2.75 to 3.25 hours |
| Montauk | 120 | 3 to 3.5 hours |
These numbers describe trips that start around Midtown and run either through the Queens–Midtown Tunnel or over the Queensboro Bridge, then continue along the Long Island Expressway and Sunrise Highway. If you live in Brooklyn or Queens you may save some time, while travelers coming from uptown or New Jersey often spend longer just reaching the first expressway.
Driving Distance From New York City To The Hamptons
For many New Yorkers, driving feels like the most flexible way to handle the distance between the city and the Hamptons. You pick your departure time, stop when you like, and keep beach chairs, coolers, and groceries in the trunk. The trade-off is stress on busy weekends, plus the cost of tolls, gas, and parking.
Main Routes By Car
Most drivers follow one of two main corridors. One runs through the Queens–Midtown Tunnel onto the Long Island Expressway, linking later to Sunrise Highway and then local roads along the South Fork. The other crosses the East River by bridge, connects to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, then either joins the Long Island Expressway or heads to Sunrise Highway sooner. Both paths merge near Patchogue before the road narrows and traffic begins to pulse.
When Traffic Changes The Distance
The mileage between New York City and the Hamptons stays the same year round. What shifts is open road speed. On a clear weekday morning, you might glide from Manhattan to East Hampton in a little over two and a half hours. On a sunny Friday after work, that same trip can double once you pass Riverhead.
Leave early in the day whenever you can. A dawn departure often means smooth movement along the expressways and local roads, while pulling out of the city after 4 p.m. on Friday or midday Sunday almost guarantees stop-and-go traffic. Give yourself more time than you think you need if you have dinner reservations or a checkout deadline.
Parking, Tolls, And Local Driving
When you weigh how far the Hamptons are from New York City by car, factor in more than hours behind the wheel. Bridges and tunnels into Queens carry tolls, and parking rules in East Hampton, Southampton, and Montauk change between residents and visitors. Many ocean beaches require permits or paid day passes in peak season, with fines for parking in the wrong area.
Check local town websites for current beach parking and permit rules before you go, and print or screenshot the details. In many villages you can leave the car for the weekend and move by bike, rideshare, or on foot, which cuts down on stress and lets you enjoy the distance you just traveled instead of circling lots.
New York City To The Hamptons By Train
The Long Island Rail Road connects Manhattan to the Hamptons by way of the Montauk Branch, with trains running from Penn Station and Grand Central Madison through Nassau and Suffolk Counties toward the South Fork. Most trips to East Hampton sit in the 2.5 to 3 hour range, with Montauk usually a bit longer. You change at Jamaica or sometimes stay on a direct train, depending on the schedule.
Service patterns change by season. In summer, extra Friday trains carry weekend crowds east, and Sunday evening trains bring everyone back. On quieter weeks, there may be fewer direct options and more transfers. The official Long Island Rail Road timetables page lists current schedules, fare details, and planned work on the line, and you can read it before you lock in dates.
Train Time Compared With Driving
When roads clog up, the train distance between New York and the Hamptons feels shorter in practice. A three hour ride in a seat with air conditioning, a book, and a snack often feels easier than three hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic. You also avoid bridge tolls, gas stations, and the hunt for parking.
On the other hand, trains run on fixed schedules, and many Hamptons homes and hotels sit a taxi ride away from the station. If you plan to bring surfboards, multiple suitcases, or a dog, check the latest rules on luggage and pets before you settle on the train as your main option.
New York City To The Hamptons By Bus
Coach services link Manhattan to most Hamptons villages along the same South Fork corridor that drivers use. Buses usually depart from Midtown or the Upper East Side and drop riders near central village stops. Travel time often falls between 3 and 3.5 hours, with longer runs in heavy traffic. Many travelers like this choice because someone else handles the driving while they read, nap, or answer a few last messages. Services such as Hampton Jitney schedules show current routes, pickup points, and seasonal changes.
Comfort, Cost, And Reservations
Bus tickets from New York City to the Hamptons often cost less than train fares bought at the last minute, and coaches usually offer reclining seats, Wi-Fi, and power outlets. Weekends and holidays fill fast, so book early once your dates are fixed. Some lines also sell peak and off-peak trips with different fares, which rewards flexible schedules.
Most services encourage or require reservations, and many now use digital tickets on phones. Arrive at your pickup spot early, since buses do not wait for late riders, and city traffic sometimes delays arrival at the first pickup stop.
Travel Time Comparison From New York City To The Hamptons
To tie the options together, it helps to see how far the Hamptons are from New York City in hours by each major mode of transport. The ranges below reflect typical conditions for a trip toward East Hampton or nearby villages, with busy summer evenings tending toward the upper end.
| Travel Method | Typical Time Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Car | 2.5 to 4 hours | Families, gear-heavy trips, beach parking flexibility |
| Train | 2.5 to 3.5 hours | Travelers who prefer a set schedule and less stress |
| Coach Bus | 3 to 4 hours | Comfortable seats, Wi-Fi, and no driving duties |
| Rideshare Or Town Car | 2.5 to 4 hours | Door-to-door trips when you do not want to drive |
| Helicopter Or Small Plane | 40 minutes to 1.5 hours | Travelers with tight schedules and higher budgets |
Planning Your First Hamptons Trip From New York City
Once you understand how far the Hamptons are from New York City in both miles and hours, planning gets easier. Start by picking the village that matches your style and budget. Westhampton and Hampton Bays shorten the drive and often have slightly lower prices. East Hampton, Amagansett, and Montauk offer oceanfront drama and buzzy nightlife, with longer distance and higher rates to match.
Next, match your transport to your group. A couple heading out midweek may love the balance of price and comfort on the train. A family with kids, coolers, and beach toys may prefer the control and luggage space of a car. Friends heading out for a quick Friday-to-Sunday dash might split a car service so nobody needs to stay sober for the ride back.
Finally, choose your departure time with care. For a Friday arrival, leaving the city before noon often means smoother roads. For Sunday returns, early morning or late evening helps you dodge the heaviest traffic leaving the beaches. Build a small buffer into your plans, especially if you have timed ferry connections, restaurant reservations, or airport flights stacked after your Hamptons stay.
The real answer to the question how far are the hamptons from new york city? is simple once you look past miles on a screen. In a straight line, the distance sits between 80 and 120 miles. In real life, the trip feels as short or as long as the route, season, and day of the week you choose. Plan with those pieces in mind, and the hours between Manhattan and the ocean turn into part of the holiday instead of an obstacle that drains the fun. Good planning keeps the miles from feeling long too.