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Trip from Astoria, NY to Lansing, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 55m

Distance

232.8 mi

375 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 42m ★
6 AM
4h 55m
8 AM
5h 22m
10 AM
5h 5m
12 PM
5h 2m
3 PM
5h 6m
5 PM
5h 21m
8 PM
4h 47m

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

city in Ingham County, Eaton County and Clinton County, Michigan, USA and Michigan federated state capital city

Lansing, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Astoria, NY to Lansing, NY is 232.8 miles and takes about 4h 55m via I 81 and I 380, with a fuel budget near $41 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. Given its relatively short length and mostly highway profile, this route is well-suited for a single-day drive. You'll find it's a straightforward path that gets you to your destination efficiently.

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

116.4 miles from Astoria, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 73.8 mi 1h 28m
Christopher Columbus Highway 44.6 mi 52m
I 380 27.7 mi 30m
US 11 23.2 mi 27m
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 — 73.8 mi, about 1h 28m

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

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 Lansing, 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 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

14 mi · 16 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
33

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 8 Toward NY 26 North: Whitney Point, Lisle
34

Turn right onto NY 26

0.5 mi · 43 sec · NY 26
35

At end of road, turn left onto US 11; NY 26

0.1 mi · 9 sec · US 11; NY 26
36

Continue on US 11; NY 79

23 mi · 27 min · US 11; NY 79
37

Turn right onto CR 164

2.4 mi · 5 min · Ellis Hollow Road
38

Turn right onto CR 164

3.0 mi · 5 min · Ellis Hollow Creek Road
39

At end of road, turn right onto CR 161

1.3 mi · 2 min · Turkey Hill Road
40

Turn right onto NY 366

1.1 mi · 1 min · Dryden Road
41

Continue on NY 366

124 ft · 9 sec · Dryden Road
42

Turn left onto NY 13

3.3 mi · 4 min · State Route 13
43

Turn right onto Warren Road

381 ft · 13 sec · Warren Road
Use the right lane.
44

Turn left onto Dart Drive

0.8 mi · 2 min · Dart Drive
Use the left lane.
45

Arrive at destination

Dart Drive

Trip Plan

For this 4h 55m drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With only one suggested stop and a fuel cost around $41, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 73.8-mile stretch on I 81, as services can be spaced out. Since this is a manageable drive for one day, you can afford to make spontaneous stops if needed.

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 116.4 miles from Astoria, NY, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.8 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 51 miles or 1h 9m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 116.4 miles or 2h 28m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 57m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lansing, 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 232.8 miles and 4h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 73.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Mount Pocono, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mount Pocono, PA

116 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

New York City, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

City of Scranton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 116.4 miles from Astoria, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.8 miles.

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.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Triplets Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch · 1h 45m in 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+15704216566

Visit website

Aliada

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Astoria, New York

0.7 mi

Il Miglio Brick Oven Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Queens, New York

0.9 mi

Best coffee break

Artpresso Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Long Island City, New York

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+19178327021

Visit website

Café Boulud at Maison BARNES

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

2 mi

Noi Due Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

2.4 mi

Triplets Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+15704216566

Visit website

Aliada

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $30 to $50

Astoria, New York

Hours: 12–10 pm

+17189322240

Visit website

Il Miglio Brick Oven Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv

Queens, New York

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+17187777676

Visit website

Avenue Astoria

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Astoria, New York

Hours: 8 AM–12 AM

+17184339298

THEP Thai Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

New York, New York

Hours: 11:30 am–3:30 pm

+12128999995

Visit website

Paola's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $50 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12127941890

Visit website

Hapgoods Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19732993399

Visit website

Bosphorus Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+19733359690

Visit website

Artpresso Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+19178327021

Visit website

Café Boulud at Maison BARNES

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $100 or ab

New York, New York

Hours: 12–2:30 PM

+12127722600

Visit website

Noi Due Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $50 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: Closed

+12127122222

Visit website

Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+19178326726

Visit website

Park Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: 8 AM–6 PM

+15167490697

Effy's Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

Hours: 8 AM–9 PM

+12122806200

Visit website

51st Bakery & Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+17187070554

Visit website

Tartinery Café - Bar | Columbus Circle

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

New York, New York

Hours: 8 AM–8 PM

+19174091991

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charge Point

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour

New York, New York

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Mt Pocono, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Ithaca, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Belleville, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Ithaca, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Rest Area

0 mi from route

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

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

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

0.3 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

Whitney Point Rest Area

1.6 mi from route

Vince Lombardi Service Area

2.5 mi from route

Veterans Memorial Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Parsippany, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+19732637254

Visit website

Triborough Bridge Playground B

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Astoria, New York

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

The Art Farm

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12124103117

Visit website

Hell Gate Bridge

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

New York, New York

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12125357710

Visit website

Ancient Playground

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

Conservatory Garden

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

Bounce N Play

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Astoria, New York

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+17187777529

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 40

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

$37.66 one way

$75.32 round trip

$4.11/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.46 $40.87 $81.74
premium $4.85 $44.43 $88.87
diesel $4.80 $43.96 $87.91

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

$38

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 81.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 69.8 0 $24.44 $11.17
Efficient EV 58.2 0 $20.37 $9.31
EV Truck/SUV 93.1 1 $32.59 $14.90

Gas CO2

81 kg

EV CO2

27 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

Night in Astoria on Monday

Local time

9:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Areas Of Smoke

S 13 mph 94% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 12:27PM EDT until July 19 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 12:27PM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY

Destination

Lansing, NY

Night in Lansing on Monday

Local time

9:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Smoke

SW 14 mph 95% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 12:27PM EDT until July 19 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 12:27PM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo 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

2 degrees warmer at arrival

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

Road read

4h 55m 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 ~6 min detour Free near mile 8
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 ~9 min detour Free near mile 8
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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 8
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 ~10 min detour Free near mile 8
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is primarily on highways, with 65% of the 232.8 miles covered on interstate or similar roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 73.8 miles on I 81, offering a good period of consistent cruising. The transition away from the main highways will involve more local roads and potentially more frequent exits or intersections as you approach your destination.

65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.8 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 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 40 significant decision points across 232.8 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.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,886 ft 24 ft

Total Climb

2,798 ft

Total Descent

1,897 ft

Highest Point

1,886 ft

~99.8 mi in

Elevation Range

1,862 ft

Notable High Points

1,037 ft at ~49.9 miles +508 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 Lansing, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah, Albany and Lisle.

Del Water Gap

30.7 mi in | ~44m

Mahwah

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

Albany

181.2 mi in | ~3h 45m | via I 81

Lisle

196.9 mi in | ~4h 4m

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

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 55m. Total distance: 232.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 73.8 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 Lansing, 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 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 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Lansing, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Astoria, NY or browse trips ending in Lansing, NY.

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