Astoria, NY to Fairmount, NY is 258.1 miles and takes about 5h 21m via I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a direct route. You'll spend most of your time on Interstate 81, so expect consistent travel speeds for the bulk of the journey. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, offering a clear path with minimal complexity.
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
129.1 miles from Astoria, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
129.5 mi
2h 33m
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
West Genesee Street
3.6 mi
8m
Lincoln Tunnel
3.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 129.5 mi, about 2h 33m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 246 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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Fairmount, 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 SouthUse 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 JerseyUse 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: SecaucusUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
453 ft·7 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: CliftonUse 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, MahwahUse the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water GapUse 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 293Toward 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 right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
66 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: SyracuseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
0.2 mi·17 sec·I 81
Toward SyracuseUse the straight lane.
34
Continue on I-81
0.4 mi·26 sec·I-81
35
Continue on I 81
2.9 mi·4 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 690 West: Fairgrounds, BaldwinsvilleUse the slight right lane.
37
Merge onto I 690
0.9 mi·1 min·I 690
Toward Fairgrounds, BaldwinsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward North Geddes StreetUse the slight right lane.
39
Turn left onto North Geddes Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·North Geddes Street
40
Turn right onto NY 5
2.8 mi·7 min·West Genesee Street
Use the right lane.
41
Continue on West Genesee Street
0.8 mi·1 min·West Genesee Street
42
Turn right
102 ft·12 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
43
Turn left
108 ft·7 sec
44
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 21m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning is ideal to allow for flexibility and avoid arriving too late. While this is a manageable one-day drive, you'll want to plan for at least one fuel or rest stop. The longest continuous stretch is 129.5 miles on I 81, so consider taking a break before or after this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when you're on the highway portions, as services can be spread out between exits. Budgeting around $46 for fuel is a good estimate for this 258.1-mile trip.
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 129.1 miles from Astoria, NY, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.5 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 57 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.1 miles or 2h 43m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairmount, 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 258.1 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 129.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this 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 3.3 and 183 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
7
183 mi into trip|~3h 47m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Syracuse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.75 one way
$83.51 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$45.31
$90.62
premium
$4.85
$49.26
$98.53
diesel
$4.80
$48.73
$97.47
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
$42
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.4
0
$27.10
$12.39
Efficient EV
64.5
0
$22.58
$10.32
EV Truck/SUV
103.2
1
$36.13
$16.52
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Astoria, NY
Late night
in Astoria on Tuesday
Local time
12:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Areas Of Smoke
S 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:46AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 18 at 2:52AM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Fairmount, NY
Late night
in Fairmount on Tuesday
Local time
12:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Patchy Smoke
S 8 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:46AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 18 at 2:52AM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
84°F
Greene, NY
129 mi in
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
7 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
5h 21m 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
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
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 71% of the 258.1 miles covered on major roads like I 81 and I 380. You'll experience a longest stretch of 129.5 miles on I 81, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur, but the majority of your time will be spent on high-speed interstates. Expect a consistent flow of exits and potentially denser traffic as you approach your destination in Fairmount.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.5 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 258.1 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 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (2nd Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,856 ft24 ft
Total Climb
2,803 ft
Total Descent
2,333 ft
Highest Point
1,856 ft
~110.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,832 ft
Notable High Points
1,856 ft at ~110.6 miles+528 ft prominence
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 Fairmount, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Albany.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 21m. Total distance: 258.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.5 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 29 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 Fairmount, 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (2nd Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fairmount, NY before the return drive.
