East Rockaway Station: Transit Hub in Nassau

By /

East Rockaway Station – East Rockaway is a quiet little stop on the Long Island Rail Road Long Beach Branch at Atlantic and Ocean Avenues in Nassau County, approximately 3 miles from the Valley Stream station. The elevated station, which opened in 1880 as a station of New York & Long Beach Railroad and was rebuilt in 1951, has two high-level side platforms for the two tracks of the branch (each platform can accommodate a 10-car train). Bridge Brings the Platforms —The platforms extend between crossings at Atlantic Avenue and at Ocean Avenue and traverse the Mill River atop an open bridge with wooden sides set atop concrete piers.

East Rockaway Station
Credit @en.wikipedia.org

There is no station house; rather, you have silver shelters, ticket vending machines (in the Ocean Avenue/Platform B entrance), and ADA-accessible ramps and elevators. There are lots at both ends of Ocean Avenue and adjacent business lots with permits and metered parking. East Rockaway has complete ADA accessibility, connects to local MTA Long Island Bus routes, and is boarded by an average of 1,650 riders per weekday (2012–14 data). The station features a simple design and is still an important piece of the commuter network in the community.

MTA LIRR East Rockaway Station

Address –

  • Main station entrance: Atlantic Avenue & Ocean Avenue, East Rockaway, NY 11518
  • Parking lot entrance: Ocean Avenue & Davison Place, East Rockaway, NY 11518

Parking & permits – 

Lot / FieldLocationSpaces*Who can use itPayment / Permit (2025)Notes
Field #3Ocean Ave (north of tracks)—Commuter & residentPermit or daily meter2‑day max stay
Field #4Ocean Ave (south of tracks)—Commuter & residentPermit or daily meterBorders south‑bound platform
Davison PlazaWest of Ocean AvePart of 236‑space complexCommuter & residentPermit or daily meterNext to shopping plaza, lighting & ADA bay

Permit prices (Village of East Rockaway, 2025):

  • Resident Commuter – $25 mo / $150 yr
  • Non‑Resident Commuter – $35 mo / $225 yr
  • Resident Daytime/Overnight – $30 mo / $200 yr
  • Non‑Resident Daytime/Overnight – $40 mo / $300 yr
  • Free in all fields 8 pm – 3 am; head‑in parking only.

On‑site facilities & services – 

  • Ticket vending machines
  • Waiting room
  • Bike parking
  • Bus connections
  • Rideshare/Taxi
  • Assistance

Nearby places to visit – 

DistanceSpotWhy goGetting there
1 mi SWBay Park (county park & marina)Playground, ballfields, sunset views over Hewlett BayBike via Ocean Ave → Althouse Ave; free parking on‑site
2 mi EHewlett Point ParkSmall beach & picnic area on East Rockaway InletNICE N4 eastbound to Hewlett Point Rd
0.6 mi SOld Grist Mill Museum18th‑century tidal mill; local history exhibits (seasonal hours)Walk south on Ocean Ave then East on‑street signage
3 mi SWMarine Nature Study Area (Oceanside)Boardwalks through salt‑marsh wildlife refugeNICE N15 to Waukena Ave + 10‑min walk
5 mi SELong Beach Boardwalk2‑mile oceanfront stroll, dining & surfingStay on train 2 more stops to Long Beach or drive Atlantic Ave → Lido Blvd
7 mi NWHempstead Lake State ParkRowboat rentals, bridle paths, fishingDrive via Peninsula Blvd or NICE N31/N32 to Lakeview

LIRR East Rockaway Station Schedule

Weekday Inbound (towards New York – Penn/Grand Central)

Departure from East RockawayArrival DestinationNotes
6:14 AMPenn Station / GCTPeak service
7:25 AMPenn StationPeak service
8:29 AMPenn StationOff‑peak
9:34 AMPenn StationOff‑peak
10:32 AMPenn StationOff‑peak
11:36 AMPenn StationOff‑peak
12:32 PMPenn StationOff‑peak
1:32 PMPenn StationOff‑peak
2:37 PMPenn StationOff‑peak
3:34 PMPenn StationOff‑peak
4:03 PMPenn StationOff‑peak
4:34 PMGrand Central MadisonPM peak service
5:10 PMPenn StationPM peak service
5:33 PMPenn StationPM peak service
5:56 PMGrand Central MadisonPM peak service
6:17 PMPenn StationPM peak service
6:31 PMGrand Central MadisonPM peak service
6:53 PMPenn StationPM peak service
7:22 PMGrand Central MadisonOff‑peak
7:42 PMPenn StationOff‑peak
7:57 PMGrand Central MadisonOff‑peak
8:25 PMPenn StationOff‑peak
9:36 PMPenn StationOff‑peak
10:32 PMPenn StationLate off‑peak
11:28 PMPenn StationLate off‑peak

Weekday Outbound (towards Long Beach)

Departure from East RockawayArrival Destination
12:23 AMLong Beach
4:30 AMLong Beach
5:25 AMLong Beach
6:01 AMLong Beach
6:11 AMPenn
6:28 AMAtlantic Terminal
6:46 AMPenn Station
6:54 AMGrand Central Madison
7:14 AMPenn Station
7:14 AMPenn Station (another)
7:27 AMAtlantic Terminal (via Island Park)
7:39 AMGrand Central Madison
8:12 AMPenn Station
8:27 AMPenn Station
9:00 AMGrand Central Madison
10:04 AMPenn Station
11:06 AMPenn Station
12:06 PMPenn Station
1:06 PMPenn Station
2:04 PMPenn Station
3:05 PMPenn Station
4:08 PMPenn Station
4:38 PMPenn Station
5:08 PMPenn Station
5:42 PMPenn Station
6:07 PMPenn Station
7:01 PMPenn Station
8:27 PMPenn Station
9:09 PMPenn Station
10:12 PMPenn Station
11:06 PMPenn Station
There is a rich history of the East Rockway Station on Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) that reflects the development of Nassau County and the development of suburban rail service. Originally opened in 1898 at the Oceannetesed branch of the South Side Railroad (East of LIRR) in Long Island, the station was a minor feature that served the growing seaside community. In 1951, the current East Rock Away station was transferred to its current site in Atlantic Avenue and Ocean Avenue to accommodate about two blocks, double-tracking and modernization efforts to the east of its original location.
For decades, it occurred in a fully electrified station on the Long Beach branch, serving passengers traveling to Penn Station, Grand Central Madison, and Atlantic Terminal. Although the station has no traditional depot building today, it has high-level platforms and modern ticketing machines. Its location near the heart of the village makes it an integral part of local transit and commerce. The development of the station from a rural stop to a suburban commuter hub reflects the widespread development of Long Island in the 20th century.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top