Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 33m
Distance
68.5 mi
110 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Astoria, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Beacon, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
If you are looking to escape the city for a quick getaway, the 68.5-mile journey from Astoria to Beacon is a straightforward transit that typically takes about 1 hour and 33 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $11 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable option for a spontaneous change of pace. Because both the origin and destination are located within the Northeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you head north. It is a highly practical drive for those who prefer to spend less time in the car and more time exploring once they arrive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.2 miles from Astoria, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 29.9 mi | 34m |
| NJ 17 | 14.7 mi | 18m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| I 84 | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| Harlem River Drive | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| I 278 Truck | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| I 95 EXPR | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Astoria Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Astoria, NY and Beacon, NY.
Start on 12th Street
Turn right onto Astoria Boulevard
Turn left onto 33rd Street
At end of road, turn left onto Astoria Boulevard North
Continue on Hoyt Avenue North
Take the ramp
Continue on I 278 Truck
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto HRD
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 4
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on I 287; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on this road
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 84
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Turn right onto NY 9D; NY 52 Bus
Continue on NY 9D; NY 52 Bus
Turn left onto NY 52 Bus
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule. However, given the reliance on major highways, checking real-time traffic conditions before you leave Astoria is a smart way to avoid unnecessary delays. With no mandatory stops required to complete the 68.5-mile distance, you can easily drive the entire route in one go if you prefer. Keep in mind that since you are primarily on high-speed roads, it is best to ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you hit the road to avoid stopping for gas along the busier corridors. Embracing the lack of required stops gives you the freedom to maximize your time in Beacon upon arrival.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 15 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.2 miles or 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beacon, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Astoria, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Astoria, NY
This is one driving day of about 68.5 miles and 1h 33m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 34.2 miles from Astoria, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 9.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward Manhattan, Randalls Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward Harlem River Drive North, 125th Street, 2nd Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 95 South, US 1 South: George Washington Bridge, Amsterdam Avenue, West 179 Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, US 1 South: George Washington Bridge (Upper Level)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$11.28 one way
$22.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $12.19 | $24.38 |
| premium | $4.92 | $13.28 | $26.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.12 | $30.25 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.19 | $3.29 |
| Efficient EV | 17.1 | 0 | $5.99 | $2.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.4 | 0 | $9.59 | $4.38 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Astoria on Tuesday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Clear
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 1:11AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Late night in Beacon on Tuesday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Clear
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 1:11AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Expect a trip defined by a highway-focused profile, as 87% of your travel time will be spent navigating major thoroughfares. You will primarily rely on a combination of NY 17, NJ 17, and NJ 4 to complete the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 29.9-mile segment on NY 17, which serves as the backbone of your travel. While the experience is dominated by fast-paced road segments, the transition between these major routes requires consistent focus. Overall, the drive feels efficient and direct, lacking the technical challenges of local backroads while offering a steady, predictable pace behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.5 miles you will encounter 31 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Astoria, NY and Beacon, NY, road signs point toward Harlem River Drive North, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark and Mahwah - among others.
Harlem River Drive North
Njtp South: Hackensack
Gsp South
Gsp North
Newark
Mahwah
New York State Thruway North: Albany
Newburgh
Scranton
Founded 1659
Top landmarks
Beacon is a city in Dutchess County, New York.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 68.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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