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Trip from Astoria, NY to Elmira Heights, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 58m

Distance

240.7 mi

387 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 45m ★
6 AM
4h 58m
8 AM
5h 25m
10 AM
5h 8m
12 PM
5h 5m
3 PM
5h 9m
5 PM
5h 24m
8 PM
4h 50m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

neighborhood in Queens, New York City, United States

Astoria, NY

Wikimedia Commons

village in Chemung County, New York, United States

Elmira Heights, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Astoria, NY to Elmira Heights, NY is 240.7 miles and takes about 4h 58m via Christopher Columbus Highway, I 81, and I 86, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Expect a predominantly highway drive with a few changes in road type. It's a manageable distance for a single day, making it a convenient option for getting between these two locations without an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

120.3 miles from Astoria, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 58.1 mi 1h 9m
I 86 54.7 mi 1h 4m
Christopher Columbus Highway 44.6 mi 52m
I 380 27.7 mi 30m
Keystone Shortway 17.3 mi 24m
US 46 10.8 mi 12m
NJ 3 10.2 mi 12m
Lincoln Tunnel 3.4 mi 6m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 58.1 mi, about 1h 9m

Traffic on I-80

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 123 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~4,393 veh/hr typical · worst 5,118

Quietest

1 AM

~445 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

9.9×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Astoria, NY and Elmira Heights, NY.

1

Start on 12th Street

23 ft · 4 sec · 12th Street
2

Turn right onto Astoria Boulevard

331 ft · 16 sec · Astoria Boulevard
3

Turn right onto 14th Street

277 ft · 17 sec · 14th Street
4

Turn left onto 29th Avenue

0.1 mi · 27 sec · 29th Avenue
5

Turn right onto 21st Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · 21st Street
6

Turn left onto 41st Avenue

0.2 mi · 28 sec · 41st Avenue
Use the left lane.
7

Turn right onto Crescent Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Crescent Street
8

Take the ramp

113 ft · 5 sec
Toward Edward Cochran, Queensboro Bridge
9

Merge onto NY 25

1.4 mi · 2 min · NY 25
10

Keep slight left at fork

297 ft · 15 sec
Toward 2nd Avenue South Use the left lane.
11

Turn left onto 2nd Avenue

0.1 mi · 32 sec · 2nd Avenue
Use the left lane.
12

Turn right onto East 57th Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · East 57th Street
13

Turn left onto 9th Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · 9th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
14

Turn right onto West 41st Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · West 41st Street
Use the right lane.
15

Turn left onto Galvin Avenue

262 ft · 11 sec · Galvin Avenue
Toward Lincoln Tunnel
16

Take the ramp

477 ft · 11 sec
Toward I 495 West: Lincoln Tunnel, New Jersey Use the straight lane.
17

Merge onto NY 495

3.4 mi · 6 min · Lincoln Tunnel
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 29 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: Secaucus Use the slight right lane.
19

Keep slight left at fork

453 ft · 7 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Merge onto NJ 3

10 mi · 12 min · NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Merge onto US 46

11 mi · 12 min · US 46
Use the straight lane.
22

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
23

Continue on I 80W

1.6 mi · 1 min · Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, Mahwah Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap Use the straight / slight left lanes.
25

Merge onto I 80

45 mi · 52 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway
28

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec
Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton
29

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380
Use the straight lane.
30

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81
Use the straight lane.
31

Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17

55 mi · 1 hr 4 min · I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
32

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 56 Toward NY 352: Elmira, Jerusalem Hill
33

Keep slight left at fork

103 ft · 6 sec
34

Turn left onto NY 352

1.3 mi · 2 min · East Water Street
35

Turn right onto North Main Street

0.4 mi · 41 sec · North Main Street
36

Enter roundabout onto Park Place

206 ft · 6 sec · Park Place
37

Continue on Park Place

0.5 mi · 48 sec · Park Place
38

Continue on College Avenue

2.1 mi · 3 min · College Avenue
39

Turn right onto West 13th Street

0.3 mi · 43 sec · West 13th Street
40

Turn left onto Scottwood Avenue

456 ft · 28 sec · Scottwood Avenue
41

Turn right onto North Park Lane

69 ft · 3 sec · North Park Lane
42

Arrive at destination

North Park Lane

Trip Plan

Given the under-5-hour drive time, leaving Astoria, NY anytime in the morning should get you to Elmira Heights, NY with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. The estimated fuel cost is around $39, so factor that into your budget. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 58.1-mile stretch on I 81, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. This is a straightforward drive, so focus on enjoying the relatively quick transit between the two New York locations.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 120.3 miles from Astoria, NY, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.1 miles.

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 53 miles or 1h 11m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 120.3 miles or 2h 33m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 4m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elmira Heights, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Astoria, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Astoria, NY

This is one driving day of about 240.7 miles and 4h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Astoria, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 58.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

borough in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Nazareth, PA

120 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Greenwood Lake, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Scranton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 120.3 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Broome Gateway Rest Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Penn-Can Travel Plaza

0 mi from route

Rest area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Nichols Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Owego Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Pennsylvania Welcome Center

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Onvo Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Crescent Lake Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Onvo Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Pennsylvania Welcome Center

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Onvo Travel Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.3 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.3 mi from route

TA

0.5 mi from route

Larry Doby Service Area

0.7 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.9 mi from route

Connie Chung Service Area

0.9 mi from route

Rest Area

0.9 mi from route

Alexander Hamilton Service Area

1.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.5 mi from route

Vince Lombardi Service Area

2.5 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 38

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 9.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in | 41st Avenue

Turn left onto 41st Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
3.3 mi into trip | ~7m in

Keep slight left at fork toward 2nd Avenue South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward 2nd Avenue South
7
3.4 mi into trip | ~7m in | 2nd Avenue

Turn left onto 2nd Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
5.8 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the ramp toward I 495 West: Lincoln Tunnel, New Jersey

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 495 West: Lincoln Tunnel, New Jersey
8
9.6 mi into trip | ~20m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 3 West: Clifton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.12 one way

$78.24 round trip

$4.13/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.47 $42.34 $84.68
premium $4.87 $46.11 $92.22
diesel $5.40 $51.20 $102.40

Estimated Tolls: $16.00

Lincoln Tunnel $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

$39

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$80–$105

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 84.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 72.2 0 $25.27 $11.55
Efficient EV 60.2 0 $21.06 $9.63
EV Truck/SUV 96.3 1 $33.70 $15.40

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 25, 2026

Origin

Astoria, NY

Late night in Astoria on Sunday

Local time

12:41 AM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Light Rain

SE 9 mph 19% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 25 at 12:05AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

Destination

Elmira Heights, NY

Late night in Elmira Heights on Sunday

Local time

12:41 AM

EDT

Current temp

43°F

Chance Rain Showers

E 3 mph 50% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 25 at 12:05AM 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

3 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 58m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

General Grant National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
View on nps.gov
Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

National Memorial

Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 8.3
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 8.3
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 8.3
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...

5 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 8.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is mostly highway, with 68% of it on major roads. You'll encounter a 58.1-mile stretch on I 81. The bulk of your travel will be on these higher-speed roads. Expect a fairly steady pace, with denser exits becoming more frequent as you approach populated areas, transitioning from the highway segments to surface roads as you get closer to Elmira Heights.

68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.1 mi on I 81.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 86. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near 41st Avenue.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 38 significant decision points across 240.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (41st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (2nd Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Astoria, NY and Elmira Heights, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap and Mahwah.

Del Water Gap

30.7 mi in | ~44m

Mahwah

30.9 mi in | ~45m | via I 80W

About the Cities

Starting in Astoria, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1659

Top landmarks

  • Museum of the Moving Image — museum and archive in New York, United States

Arriving in Elmira Heights, NY

Full guide →

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 240.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 58.1 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $16.00 in tolls one way, starting with Lincoln Tunnel. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

Yes — we found about 31 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Elmira Heights, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (41st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (2nd Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Elmira Heights, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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