Block Island RI to Long Beach NY Road Trip Guide

The Block Island ferry in Point Judith, RI, deposits you at the start of a 200-mile road trip that ends on another island: Long Beach, NY. This route is unusual because it begins on a car-free island (Block Island has few roads and no bridges to the mainland), requiring a ferry crossing to reach your vehicle in Point Judith. The drive itself traces the southern New England coast, crossing the Connecticut and New York state lines, before skirting the northern edge of the Long Island Sound and crossing the Throgs Neck Bridge into Queens, then onto Long Beach’s barrier island.

A local quirk: the Block Island ferry does not allow vehicles unless you book weeks in advance, so most drivers park in Point Judith and take the passenger ferry. Your actual drive begins in a small Rhode Island fishing village, not on the island itself. This guide assumes you start from Point Judith (Wakefield, RI) with your car ready at the dock.

Here is a snapshot of key logistics for this trip:

This drive transitions from Rhode Island’s rocky coast to Connecticut’s sheltered harbors and then to New York’s suburban sprawl. The best section is the 15-mile stretch along Route 1 in southern Rhode Island, which passes the Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area and offers glimpses of salt marshes.

• Natural highlight: Watch Hill, RI (detour 5 mi off Route 1) – a coastal village with a historic lighthouse and crescent beach.
• Commerce pit stop: Stonington, CT, just over the border, known for its antiques shops and seafood restaurants.
• Hidden off-route spot: Hammonasset Beach State Park (Exit 62 off I-95, CT) – 2 miles of sandy beach with a nature center. Worth a 30-min stop.

The route also passes near the Mystic Seaport Museum (a living history museum with tall ships) and the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk. These are excellent for families, but consider whether the extra time (1–2 hours) fits your schedule.

Other cultural touchpoints: the tiny nation of Block Island itself has a distinct Victorian-era architecture; while you cannot drive there, consider taking the passenger ferry before your drive to soak in the island’s vibe.

Road quality on this route is generally good – all paved, with well-maintained shoulders on I-95 and US-1. However, watch for congestion in the New Haven area (I-95 bottleneck near the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge) and around the Throgs Neck Bridge (tunnel approach).

• Safety: Use headlights in fog, common near Narragansett Bay. Wildlife deer crossings are possible in rural Rhode Island and Connecticut.
• Family stops: The Mystic Aquarium (directly off I-95, Exit 89) – rated one of the best for young children. Also, the Children’s Museum in West Hartford is a 10-min detour.
• Fatigue management: Ideal rest zones include the service plaza on I-95 in Milford, CT (milepost 38) with food and fuel, and the rest area in Greenwich, CT (milepost 0) just before the NY state line.

For pets: The Hampton Inn in Mystic (pet-friendly) and many hotels in Long Beach allow dogs. Pet relief areas exist at most rest stops, but not always with grass. Consider packing water and a portable bowl.

Regarding culinary stops: try the clam chowder at how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities – this link details our method for discovering top-rated local eateries. In practice, the lobster rolls at Go Fish in Stonington (Route 1) are exceptional.

Weather: Summers are humid (80s°F), with sea breezes. Winters can bring snow and ice; check conditions. Visit in fall for foliage and mild temps.

From Point Judith, head west on RI-108 (Old Point Judith Road) to connect with US-1 south (Tower Hill Road). This quickly becomes the two-lane US-1 through South Kingstown. Continue on US-1 (Post Road) through Westerly to the Connecticut border.

Key highways: I-95 is the backbone from New Haven to New York, but US-1 offers a slower, scenic alternative along the shore. For best timing, use I-95 after New London, but beware of rush hour near New Haven. The portion from New Haven to the Throgs Neck Bridge can take 1.5h in traffic; plan for 2–2.5h peak.

• Fuel stops: Plentiful along I-95; expect prices $0.20–0.40 higher than national average. The highest rates are near the Connecticut coast.
• Rest areas: Connecticut has rest areas every 30 miles on I-95, but they are basic (vending machines, restrooms).
• Tolls: None on the main route until the Throgs Neck Bridge ($9.50 each way with E-ZPass). No tolls within Rhode Island or Connecticut.
• Parking in Long Beach: Street parking is scarce; use municipal garages (approx. $20/day) or hotel parking.