How far is MacArthur Airport to JFK?

Distance between MacArthur Airport and JFK

Long Island MacArthur Airport, formerly Islip Airport, is in Ronkonkoma in Suffolk County. It serves Nassau and Suffolk counties as an alternative to JFK and LaGuardia, which are both in Queens.

Measured in a straight line, ISP and JFK are about 37 miles (60 km) apart. By road you follow the highways west across Long Island, so the driving distance is longer. Check a live map app for the current route and time before you go.

Modes of transportation

Driving

The usual route runs west on the Long Island Expressway (I-495) and then south on the Van Wyck Expressway (I-678). The Van Wyck begins at JFK and runs north through Queens, so you take it southbound to reach the airport.

Driving suits travelers with heavy bags, early or late flights, or a group. Factor in airport parking if you are leaving a car at JFK.

Public transportation

There is no direct train between the two airports. The rail route has three legs:

Shuttle bus from MacArthur Airport to the Long Island Rail Road's Ronkonkoma station.
LIRR Ronkonkoma Branch to Jamaica Station.
AirTrain JFK from Jamaica to your terminal. The AirTrain fare is $8.75 when you enter or exit at Jamaica.

Suffolk Transit's Route 6 bus also serves the airport. It connects with the Central Islip and Patchogue LIRR stations.

Each change adds waiting time. Check the LIRR timetable before you leave and allow for the connections.

Rideshare apps and car services offer a direct ride from ISP to your JFK terminal. Prices change with demand, time of day and traffic. Check the fare in the app, or ask a car service for a quote that includes tolls and gratuity.

Expected travel time

Factors affecting travel time

Time of day. Weekday rush hours are the slowest times on the Long Island Expressway and the Van Wyck.
Day of week. Friday afternoons and holiday weekends add traffic.
Weather. Rain and snow slow every road option.
Connections. On the train, the gap between the shuttle, the LIRR and AirTrain sets your total time.

Best time to travel

Early mornings and later evenings are usually lighter than rush hour. If you are connecting from a flight at ISP to a flight at JFK, build in a generous buffer, since the two flights are on separate itineraries and a delay on the road will not hold your second flight.

Cost of transportation

Costs of driving

Add up fuel, any tolls on your route and airport parking at JFK. Parking for a long trip can cost more than the drive itself.

Public transportation fares

The fixed cost you can count on is AirTrain JFK at $8.75 from Jamaica. Add your LIRR fare from Ronkonkoma to Jamaica and the shuttle or bus fare from ISP. Check current LIRR fares before you travel.

Compare prices across apps before you book.
Watch for surge pricing at busy times.
Ask car services for a quote that includes tolls and gratuity.

Other considerations

Traffic conditions

Check a live traffic app before you leave, and again before you pick a route. An accident on the Long Island Expressway can change the best route quickly.

Luggage and passenger capacity

A car or van is easiest with several bags. On the train, you carry your luggage through each change, so travel light if you choose rail.

Accessibility for people with disabilities

Request assistance from your airline in advance. If you need an accessible vehicle, ask the car service when you book.

Flying instead of driving

BLADE arranges charter flights, which you can request between airports and heliports in the region. BLADE's scheduled airport service runs between Manhattan and JFK or Newark, in about 5 minutes from $195 per seat.

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