The Ford Bronco was designed for roads that go somewhere interesting - and Long Island has more of those roads than most people realize. Beyond the expressways and strip malls, this island offers coastal highways, vineyard-lined backroads, waterfront drives, and state park trails that reward the kind of vehicle built for adventure. Whether you’re in a full-size Bronco with the top removed or a Bronco Sport navigating farm roads on the North Fork, these are the drives worth taking.
The North Fork Wine Trail
Route: Riverhead to Orient Point via Route 25 and Sound Avenue Distance: Approximately 30 miles one way Best time: Late morning start, spring through fall
The North Fork is Long Island’s quieter, more rural counterpart to the Hamptons - and it’s one of the best driving destinations on the island. The route from Riverhead to Orient Point winds through working vineyards, family farms, and small waterfront villages that feel like a different world from Nassau County.
Start on Route 25 heading east from Riverhead. The road passes through Cutchogue, Southold, and Greenport - each with their own character and worth a stop. For a more scenic variation, take Sound Avenue on the north side - it’s less trafficked, runs closer to Long Island Sound, and passes through more agricultural landscape.
The vineyards are the draw, but the drive itself is the reward. Gentle curves through open fields, canopy roads where branches meet overhead, and occasional glimpses of the Sound between farm buildings create a driving experience that’s genuinely relaxing.
Bronco advantage: The Bronco Sport’s compact dimensions make vineyard parking lots and narrow farm lanes easy. The full-size Bronco with its removable top and doors turns the North Fork drive into an open-air experience that no sedan or crossover can replicate. Trail Turn Assist - which brakes the inside rear wheel during tight turns - is genuinely useful on narrow vineyard roads with tight turnarounds.
“The best thing about owning a Bronco on Long Island is discovering that adventure is closer than you think. The North Fork wine trail with the top off on a Saturday morning - that’s a two-hour drive from Levittown that feels like you’ve left for the weekend.” - Christopher Bahamonde, General Manager, Levittown Ford
Montauk Highway Coastal Run
Route: Southampton to Montauk via Route 27 / Montauk Highway Distance: Approximately 35 miles one way Best time: Early morning (before 8 AM) or sunset approach
Montauk Highway between Southampton and Montauk Point is Long Island’s most iconic coastal drive - and it’s dramatically better when you experience it outside of summer weekend traffic. The road hugs the southern coastline, passing through Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Amagansett, and Napeague before arriving at Montauk.
The Napeague Stretch - the narrow strip of land between Amagansett and Montauk - is the highlight. Ocean on one side, harbor on the other, and nothing but sky ahead. On a clear morning, the light here is extraordinary.
Timing matters enormously. During summer weekends, this road is a parking lot. The optimal windows are early weekday mornings (before the day-trippers arrive), September through November (when the Hamptons empty out), and spring weekdays. A sunrise departure from Nassau County gets you to the Napeague stretch right as the light turns golden.
Destination: Montauk Point Lighthouse at the island’s eastern tip. The parking lot and surrounding trails offer dramatic views of the Atlantic, and the lighthouse itself is worth the walk. Continue to Camp Hero State Park for coastal hiking trails that a Bronco’s ground clearance and AWD make accessible even in muddy conditions.
Shelter Island Ferry Crossing
Route: Greenport to Shelter Island (North Ferry), cross the island, Shelter Island to Sag Harbor (South Ferry) Distance: Short - the island is only about 8,000 acres - but it’s the experience, not the mileage Best time: Late spring through early fall, weekday afternoons
The Shelter Island loop is one of Long Island’s most unique driving experiences. Two short ferry rides - one from Greenport on the North Fork, one to Sag Harbor on the South Fork - bookend a drive through an island that time hasn’t fully caught up with.
Shelter Island itself is quiet, wooded, and largely undeveloped. The main roads wind through forest canopy, past historic homes, and along waterfront stretches with views across Peconic Bay. Mashomack Preserve - a 2,000-acre nature conservancy - occupies nearly a third of the island and is worth a stop for hiking.
Bronco advantage: The ferry experience with a Bronco - especially with the top off - is something special. Rolling onto the deck of a small car ferry, crossing a channel with the wind and salt air, and driving off onto a quiet island road is the kind of adventure the Bronco was made for.
Caumsett State Historic Park
Route: From Route 25A in Lloyd Harbor, follow West Neck Road to the park entrance Distance: Short drive to the park; 3+ miles of internal roads and paths Best time: Year-round, but especially beautiful in autumn
Caumsett State Historic Park occupies 1,520 acres on a peninsula jutting into Long Island Sound in Lloyd Harbor. The former Marshall Field III estate includes meadows, salt marshes, a rocky beach, and miles of unpaved roads and paths.
The drive through the park is on maintained gravel and dirt roads - perfectly suited to the Bronco and Bronco Sport’s capabilities. The G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) mode system’s Slippery and Mud/Ruts settings handle the variable surfaces with confidence. The roads wind through open meadows with Long Island Sound visible in the distance, creating a landscape that feels more like coastal New England than Long Island.
Note: Vehicle access within the park is limited to designated roads, and seasonal closures may apply. Check the New York State Parks website for current access information. For buyers comparing Bronco models, our Bronco Sport vs. Toyota RAV4 comparison covers the practical differences between the Bronco Sport and its competition.
Oyster Bay Waterfront and Theodore Roosevelt’s Gold Coast
Route: From Route 106 south through Oyster Bay village to the waterfront, then east along Cove Neck Road Distance: Approximately 5–10 miles of waterfront and estate roads Best time: Weekday mornings, year-round
Oyster Bay is one of Long Island’s most historically significant waterfront villages - home to Sagamore Hill (Theodore Roosevelt’s estate) and surrounded by the Gold Coast mansion district. The roads through this area offer a combination of waterfront views, mature tree canopy, and estate architecture that’s unique even by Long Island standards.
Cove Neck Road runs along the harbor toward Sagamore Hill, with views across Oyster Bay Harbor. The road is narrow, tree-lined, and quiet - perfect for a relaxed Bronco cruise. The village of Oyster Bay itself has a walkable downtown with restaurants, shops, and a working waterfront.
This is a shorter drive - ideal for a half-day outing from Nassau County rather than a full-day adventure. Pair it with lunch in the village and a walk through Sagamore Hill for a complete experience.
Jones Beach to Fire Island - The Barrier Beach Run
Route: Jones Beach State Park east along Ocean Parkway to Robert Moses State Park / Fire Island Distance: Approximately 15 miles one way Best time: Spring and fall, early morning
Ocean Parkway - the road connecting Jones Beach to Robert Moses State Park - is one of Long Island’s most underrated scenic drives. The road runs along the barrier beach between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great South Bay, with water visible on both sides at many points.
The drive itself is flat and straight - this isn’t a curves-and-elevation road. The appeal is the landscape: ocean, sky, dunes, and marshland stretching in every direction. On a clear morning with the windows down (or the Bronco top off), it’s meditative in a way that busy Nassau County roads never are.
At Robert Moses State Park, you’re at the western tip of Fire Island. The lighthouse is walkable from the parking area, and the beach offers some of the most expansive ocean views on Long Island. For Bronco owners interested in beach driving permits and off-road capability, our Jeep off-road trail guide covers the permit process and sand-driving tips that apply to any capable 4WD vehicle.
Bronco Features That Enhance the Experience
The Bronco - both full-size and Bronco Sport - was designed with exactly these kinds of drives in mind. A few features that matter most on Long Island scenic routes:
Removable top and doors (full-size Bronco): Nothing transforms a scenic drive like open-air freedom. The modular roof system lets you remove panels or the entire top. Removable doors eliminate the barrier between you and the environment entirely. This is the Bronco’s signature advantage over every other SUV on the market.
G.O.A.T. Modes: The terrain management system adapts throttle, transmission, stability control, and AWD behavior for different surfaces. Sand mode is useful at Robert Moses and Montauk. Mud/Ruts handles Caumsett’s unpaved roads. Normal mode keeps everything efficient on the highway segments between destinations.
Trail Turn Assist: Brakes the inside rear wheel during tight turns to tighten the turning radius - useful on narrow vineyard roads, state park loops, and tight turnarounds.
Ground clearance and approach angles: The full-size Bronco’s geometry means you don’t think twice about unpaved parking areas, rutted access roads, or soft shoulders that would concern a lower vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best scenic drive on Long Island for a Ford Bronco?
The North Fork wine trail - from Riverhead to Orient Point via Route 25 and Sound Avenue - is the most complete scenic driving experience on Long Island. It combines vineyard landscapes, waterfront glimpses, charming villages, and enough farm roads and unpaved surfaces to use the Bronco’s capabilities. With the top removed on a fall morning, it’s one of the best drives in the Northeast.
Can I drive my Ford Bronco on Long Island beaches?
Some Long Island beaches permit vehicle access with the proper permits - notably areas around Montauk, Fire Island, and Robert Moses State Park. Beach driving permits are issued by various jurisdictions (state parks, county, town), are limited in number, and sell out quickly. The Bronco’s 4WD system, ground clearance, and available Sand mode make it well-equipped for permitted beach driving. Always air down tires to 15–20 PSI for sand and carry a portable compressor to re-inflate before returning to pavement.
When is the best time for scenic drives on Long Island?
Late September through November offers the ideal combination of comfortable weather, fall foliage, minimal traffic, and the best light for coastal views. Spring (April–May) is also excellent - everything is green, the roads are quiet, and summer crowds haven’t arrived. Summer weekends should be avoided on popular routes like Montauk Highway due to heavy traffic. Early weekday mornings are the best option year-round for traffic-free driving.
Is the Bronco Sport good for Long Island scenic drives?
The Bronco Sport is excellent for Long Island scenic routes. Its compact dimensions make vineyard parking lots, narrow village streets, and tight farm lanes easy to navigate. The AWD system and available terrain management modes handle unpaved roads, gravel, and light off-road surfaces confidently. While it lacks the full-size Bronco’s removable top and doors, the Bronco Sport’s panoramic sunroof opens up the cabin significantly. For buyers who want Bronco adventure spirit in a more everyday-practical package, the Bronco Sport covers Long Island’s scenic roads beautifully.
How far is Montauk from Nassau County?
Montauk Point is approximately 100–120 miles from central Nassau County, depending on your starting point and route. Without traffic, the drive takes roughly two to two and a half hours via the Long Island Expressway to Route 27. During summer weekends, travel time can double or triple. For the best experience, depart early on a weekday morning or visit during the shoulder seasons - September through November or April through May - when traffic is dramatically lighter and the scenery is arguably more beautiful.