Ways east · Drive
DriveSelf-Drive / Rental Car: JFK to the Hamptons
Your own wheels for the whole stay.
Driving lines are real OSRM-routed roads; the train follows the LIRR Montauk Branch; air routes are direct. Times are typical, non-peak estimates.
Pick up a rental at JFK and drive yourself the full ~95–115 miles east on NY-27. It is the most flexible option once you are out there — beaches, farm stands and Montauk are spread out — but you own the summer traffic and the parking math.
How it works
- Collect a rental car at the JFK on-airport facility.
- Drive Belt Parkway → Southern State Parkway → Sunrise Highway (NY-27 East).
- NY-27 narrows to the Montauk Highway through the villages — the only road in and out.
- Park at your rental, hotel or the village/beach lots (permits often required).
Best for
Longer stays, exploring multiple towns, off-peak arrivals.
Watch out
NY-27 is the single artery east of the Shinnecock Canal; summer Friday/Sunday backups are severe. Beach parking permits are strict in season.
Where it can take you
From JFK, drive reaches these East End destinations along the NY-27 corridor:
| Destination | Drive miles | Typical time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westhampton Beach | 67 mi | 1 h 38 m | Open → |
| Quogue | 68 mi | 1 h 41 m | Open → |
| Hampton Bays | 73 mi | 1 h 42 m | Open → |
| Southampton | 80 mi | 1 h 53 m | Open → |
| Bridgehampton | 85 mi | 2 h 4 m | Open → |
| Sag Harbor | 90 mi | 2 h 13 m | Open → |
| East Hampton | 92 mi | 2 h 18 m | Open → |
| Amagansett | 94 mi | 2 h 24 m | Open → |
| Montauk | 106 mi | 2 h 41 m | Open → |
Operators on this route
On-airport rental brands at JFK. Schedules, fares and availability change seasonally — confirm directly with the operator before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
How long does self-drive / rental car take from JFK to the Hamptons?
Typical door-to-door time is 2 h – 3 h 30 m, depending on your exact destination and the season. NY-27 is the single artery east of the Shinnecock Canal; summer Friday/Sunday backups are severe. Beach parking permits are strict in season.
How much does it cost?
Budget roughly $70–$160 per day + gas/tolls. You can begin the trip at or near JFK itself.
Who runs it?
Operators on this route include On-airport rental brands at JFK. Always confirm current schedules and fares directly before booking.
Drive listicles
Ranked roundups of the operators and options that run this leg.
Best Hamptons Beaches to Drive To, Ranked (2026)
Real Hamptons ocean and bay beaches you can drive to, ranked on visitor parking, permits, and vibe — from Coopers to Ditch Plains to Hither Hills.
ListicleBest Farm Stands & Markets on the Drive East, Ranked (2026)
The farm stands and markets worth a stop along NY-27 to the Hamptons, ranked — Round Swamp, Green Thumb, Balsam, Pike, the Milk Pail and more.
ListicleBest Stops on the Drive from JFK to the Hamptons (2026)
The worthwhile stops along NY-27 from JFK to the East End: the Big Duck, Shinnecock Canal, farm stands, vineyards, and lobster shacks worth the pull-off.
ListicleRenting a Car at JFK for the Hamptons: What Works (2026)
How to pick the right JFK rental for a Hamptons run: SUV vs sedan vs convertible, cargo, fuel, EV charging out east, and drop-off.
Drive blog
How this way east actually works — explainers, timing and field notes.
Beating Summer Friday Traffic to the Hamptons
Why Friday 2-8pm is brutal west of the Shinnecock Canal, the best departure windows, Sunday return timing, and the apps that help.
BlogParking & Beach Permits in the Hamptons, Town by Town
Resident vs non-resident beach permits, day passes, and where visitors can actually park in Southampton, East Hampton, and Montauk for 2026.
BlogDriving JFK to the Hamptons: The NY-27 Playbook
The full JFK-to-East-End route: Belt Parkway to Sunrise to Montauk Highway, the Shinnecock chokepoint, tolls, gas, and beach permits.
BlogEV Charging & Gas on the Way to (and Around) the Hamptons
Charging corridors on the LIE and NY-27, where to top up out east, range planning for a rental EV, and why you gas up before the Shinnecock Canal.