Traveling from Bangor to Queens covers a distance of 357.7 miles across New York state. You should plan for a total drive time of approximately 6 hours and 23 minutes under normal traffic conditions. Given the duration, this trip is manageable as a single-day journey, though it requires sustained focus due to the specific road profile. Budgeting roughly $56 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the expenses ahead. Because the route stays entirely within the Northeast, you will remain in a familiar regional climate, though the transition from the North Country toward the urban density of Queens will be quite noticeable.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
176.2 miles from Bangor, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 87
118.6 mi
2h 17m
Adirondack Northway
103.7 mi
2h 1m
Adirondack Trail
31 mi
42m
State Highway 73
18.7 mi
27m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cascade Road
5.3 mi
7m
NY 11B
5.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 87
— 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Traffic on I-87
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,467 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,399
Quietest
1 AM
~114 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 79 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 Bangor, NY and Queens, NY.
1
Start on NY 11B
5.3 mi·7 min·NY 11B
2
Turn sharp right onto NY 30
0.4 mi·1 min·Finney Boulevard
3
Continue on NY 30
31 mi·42 min·Adirondack Trail
4
Turn left onto NY 86
3.7 mi·5 min·Easy Street
5
Continue on NY 86
1.9 mi·2 min·State Highway 86
6
Continue on NY 86
2.8 mi·4 min·Harrietstown Road
7
Continue on NY 86
3.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 86
8
Continue on NY 86
0.5 mi·56 sec·Broadway Street
9
Turn left onto NY 86
490 ft·12 sec·Bloomingdale Avenue
10
Turn right onto NY 3; NY 86
0.4 mi·50 sec·Church Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto NY 86
0.2 mi·32 sec·River Street
12
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 86
304 ft·8 sec·River Street
13
Turn slight right onto NY 86
1.1 mi·2 min·Lake Flower Avenue
14
Continue on NY 86
4.9 mi·7 min·Saranac-Placid Road
15
Turn right onto CR 35
3.6 mi·6 min·Old Military Road
16
Turn straight onto NY 73
5.3 mi·7 min·Cascade Road
17
Continue on NY 73
7.2 mi·10 min·State Highway 73
18
Turn straight onto NY 9N; NY 73
1.8 mi·3 min·State Highway 9N
19
Continue on NY 73
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 73
20
Turn straight onto US 9
2.1 mi·2 min·US 9
21
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 87 South
22
Merge onto I 87
104 mi·2 hr 1 min·Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
0.3 mi·31 sec·I 87
Exit 1E-WToward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, BuffaloUse the slight right lane.
24
Continue on I 87
0.5 mi·51 sec·I 87
Exit 1WToward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 87
Toward I 87 South: New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
27
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
28
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
31
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
32
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
34
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
36
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
38
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi·5 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 6AToward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Expressway
41
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi·2 min·Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
42
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi·3 min·Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
43
Keep slight left at fork onto I 678
4.3 mi·6 min·Van Wyck Expressway
Toward I 678 South: Kennedy AirportUse the slight left lane.
44
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 6Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic AvenueUse the right lane.
45
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica AvenueUse the slight right lane.
46
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi·2 min·Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
47
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
1.5 mi·4 min·Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
48
Turn left onto 104th Street
205 ft·9 sec·104th Street
49
Arrive at destination
104th Street
Trip Plan
Because this route is entirely local, departure time is critical to avoid the frustration of getting stuck in unexpected traffic or navigation delays. Aim to leave early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours, as the technical nature of these roads is far easier to manage when visibility is high. Since there are no designated stops in the data, take the initiative to map out your own rest breaks every few hours to stay refreshed. Given the turn-heavy profile, keep your GPS updated and ready, as you will be making frequent turns throughout the 6-hour and 23-minute duration. Carrying a small amount of extra cash for local fuel stops will ensure you stay within your $56 budget while navigating the more rural stretches of the trip.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 176.2 miles from Bangor, NY, or about 3h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 78 miles or 1h 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.2 miles or 3h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Queens, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bangor, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bangor, NY
This is one driving day of about 352.4 miles and 7h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Bangor, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 87 for about 118.6 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 191.1 and 349.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
191.1 mi into trip|~4h 10m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1E-W
Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
9
309.7 mi into trip|~6h 28m in|NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
311.1 mi into trip|~6h 30m in|NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
339.9 mi into trip|~7h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens
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 6A
Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens
9
349.7 mi into trip|~7h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.68 one way
$123.37 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$66.85
$133.69
premium
$5.23
$72.56
$145.12
diesel
$6.28
$87.07
$174.15
Estimated Tolls: $22.55
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Whitestone Bridge
$6.55
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
$62
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$109–$134
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.7
1
$37.00
$16.92
Efficient EV
88.1
1
$30.84
$14.10
EV Truck/SUV
141
1
$49.34
$22.55
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Bangor, NY
Late night
in Bangor on Thursday
Local time
5:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Sunny
SW 7 to 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Queens, NY
Late night
in Queens on Thursday
Local time
5:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Sunny
NE 6 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
1 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
7h 33m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 340.2
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 340.2
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 352.4
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 352.4
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 352.4
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
9 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 352.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate sprint. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend the entire 357.7 miles navigating local roads, which demands your full attention behind the wheel. The personality of this route is defined by constant turns and winding segments that keep the experience engaging but mentally taxing. You will not encounter any long, monotonous highway stretches, as the road profile requires frequent adjustments and careful maneuvering. This is a technical drive that rewards patience and steady handling as you transition from the quiet surroundings of Bangor toward the busy, congested streets of Queens.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
49 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.6 mi on I 87.
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 191.1 miles in near I 87.
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 28 significant decision points across 352.4 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 191.1 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 309.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 311.1 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,594 ft25 ft
Total Climb
1,169 ft
Total Descent
1,904 ft
Highest Point
1,594 ft
~25.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,569 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bangor, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Gsp South: Paterson and Fort Lee.
Queens is a crescent-shaped (with a tail) borough traversing the north-to-south width of Long Island and including two of the major New York City area airports, LaGuardia (LGA IATA) and John F. Kennedy International (JFK IATA). It also carries the largest ethnic diversity in its area of any region in the world, with many small enclaves. Jackson Heights, for example, includes a huge Indian area, followed by a Colombian area, and then a Mexican area. Each offers a wide array of authentic shops, native-style cuisine, and festivals modified only slightly by the generally colder New York City experience.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 33m. Total distance: 352.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.6 miles on I 87. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $22.55 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Queens, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 191.1 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 309.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 311.1 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and African Burial Ground 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 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Queens, NY before the return drive.
