Traveling from Auburn to Astoria covers 260.4 miles of the Northeast, making for a manageable journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 32 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, mixed-drive route, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $42 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will primarily navigate via I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and I-380 to reach your destination. While the drive is efficient, keeping a steady pace will ensure you arrive in Astoria feeling refreshed rather than drained by the time behind the wheel.
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
130.2 miles from Auburn, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Genesee Street
5.5 mi
9m
Christopher Columbus Highway
5.5 mi
5m
State Route 41
4.8 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 168 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,210 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,900
Quietest
1 AM
~430 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
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 Auburn, NY and Astoria, NY.
1
Start on NY 34; NY 38
20 ft·2 sec·South Street
2
Turn right onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
3
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
4
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
5
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
6
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
7
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
8
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
9
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
10
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
12
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
17
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
18
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
24
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
26
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
27
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
29
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
31
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.8 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1C-DToward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany, Yankee StadiumUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·57 sec
Exit 1DToward I 87 South: QueensUse the slight left lane.
35
Merge onto I 87
2.8 mi·4 min·Major Deegan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward I 278 West: RFK Bridge, Manhattan, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on I 278
2.3 mi·4 min·Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit onto I 278 Truck
98 ft·2 sec·I 278 Truck
Exit 45Toward 31st Street, Astoria BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
39
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward 31st Street, Astoria Boulevard
40
Turn right onto 29th Street
315 ft·8 sec·29th Street
Use the right lane.
41
Turn right onto Astoria Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Astoria Boulevard
Use the right lane.
42
Turn left onto 21st Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·21st Street
43
Turn right onto 30th Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·30th Avenue
44
Turn sharp right onto 12th Street
386 ft·18 sec·12th Street
45
Arrive at destination
12th Street
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is key, as hitting the road early allows you to navigate the 260.4-mile distance with maximum flexibility. Although the route is designed to be completed in one day, incorporating at least one planned stop will help you manage the 5-hour and 32-minute duration effectively. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $42 budget is an estimate that can fluctuate based on traffic patterns along the Keystone Shortway and I-380. Since this trip includes a substantial 98.8-mile stretch on I-81, try to time your breaks to coincide with the end of that segment to stay alert. Being prepared for varying traffic density as you approach the Astoria area will make your arrival much smoother.
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 130.2 miles from Auburn, NY, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 57 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.2 miles or 2h 49m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Astoria, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Auburn, 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 Auburn, NY
This is one driving day of about 260.4 miles and 5h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Auburn, 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 98.8 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 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 133.7 and 253.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
133.7 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
248.2 mi into trip|~5h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
248.5 mi into trip|~5h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
253.3 mi into trip|~5h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany, Yankee Stadium
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1C-D
Toward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany,...
8
253.5 mi into trip|~5h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 87 South: Queens
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 1D
Toward I 87 South: Queens
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.13 one way
$84.25 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$45.71
$91.43
premium
$4.85
$49.70
$99.40
diesel
$4.80
$49.17
$98.34
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
George Washington Bridge
$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: 91.1 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
78.1
0
$27.34
$12.50
Efficient EV
65.1
0
$22.79
$10.42
EV Truck/SUV
104.2
1
$36.46
$16.67
Gas CO2
91 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
Auburn, NY
Afternoon
in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
12:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Patchy Smoke
S 9 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
Destination
Astoria, NY
Afternoon
in Astoria on Sunday
Local time
12:44 PM
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
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
8 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
5h 32m 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.
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 251.5
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
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 251.5
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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 260.4
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 260.4
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 260.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed interstate segments with more varied road conditions. With 56% of your journey spent on major highways, you will experience a combination of open stretches and transition zones. The most significant portion of your drive occurs on I-81, where you will tackle a longest uninterrupted stretch of 98.8 miles. As you move across the Northeast, the road personality shifts from the more rural character near Auburn to the denser traffic patterns closer to Astoria. Expect a functional, practical experience that favors speed and directness over technical, winding backroads.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 133.7 miles in near US 6.
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 32 significant decision points across 260.4 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 133.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,771 ft24 ft
Total Climb
2,281 ft
Total Descent
2,945 ft
Highest Point
1,771 ft
~148.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,747 ft
Notable High Points
1,680 ft at ~18.6 miles+535 ft prominence
1,771 ft at ~148.8 miles+770 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Auburn, NY and Astoria, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 32m. Total distance: 260.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.8 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 George Washington Bridge. 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 23 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 Astoria, 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 133.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and General Grant National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Astoria, NY before the return drive.
