This 375.7-mile journey from Busti, NY, to Queens, NY, is estimated to take around 8 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. Given the duration and the turn-heavy local drive profile, it's best split over two days to avoid an excessively long travel day. You'll be navigating primarily via the Keystone Shortway, PA 948, and US 62. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $69. While both your origin and destination are in the Northeast region, this route offers a more intimate driving experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
187.9 miles from Busti, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
253.5 mi
4h 47m
PA 948
23.8 mi
35m
US 62
11.9 mi
13m
Boot Jack Road
11.2 mi
16m
NJ 3
10.5 mi
11m
State Park Road
8.1 mi
14m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
7.4 mi
11m
Hoovertown Road
5 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 253.5 mi, about 4h 47m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 149 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,027 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,623
Quietest
1 AM
~343 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.8×
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 Busti, NY and Queens, NY.
1
Start on Busti-Stillwater Road
3.8 mi·5 min·Busti-Stillwater Road
2
Turn right onto Kiantone Road
4.8 mi·6 min·Kiantone Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 62
12 mi·13 min·US 62
4
Turn right onto US 62
0.2 mi·23 sec·West 4th Avenue
5
Turn left onto Hickory Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Hickory Street
6
Continue on Hickory Bridge
0.1 mi·24 sec·Hickory Bridge
7
Turn left onto Crescent Park
0.4 mi·57 sec·Crescent Park
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left onto US 6
1.8 mi·3 min·Crescent Park
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 6
0.2 mi·35 sec·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 6
2.9 mi·4 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 6
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
12
Continue on US 6
4.5 mi·6 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
13
Continue on US 6
1.1 mi·2 min·West Main Street
14
Take the exit
265 ft·9 sec
Toward PA 666 West
15
Merge onto PA 666
2.3 mi·4 min·South Main Street
16
Continue on PA 948
8.5 mi·12 min·PA 948
17
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66
2.9 mi·4 min·PA 66
18
Turn right onto PA 948
15 mi·22 min·PA 948
19
Turn left onto PA 948
1.0 mi·2 min·West Main Street
20
Continue on US 219; PA 948
11 mi·16 min·Boot Jack Road
21
Turn left onto PA 153
3.7 mi·6 min·Penfield Road
22
Continue on PA 153
5.0 mi·8 min·Hoovertown Road
23
Continue on PA 153
8.1 mi·14 min·State Park Road
24
Turn left
0.3 mi·40 sec
25
Merge onto I 80
254 mi·4 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 53Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln TunnelUse the slight right lane.
27
Merge onto US 46
2.1 mi·2 min·US 46
28
Continue on US 46
1.6 mi·1 min·US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Turn slight left onto NJ 3
11 mi·11 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel, Kennedy BoulevardUse the straight / right lanes.
31
Merge onto NJ 495
1.1 mi·1 min·NJ 495
32
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Weehawken, Hoboken, Ferries to New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on South Marginal Highway
0.1 mi·10 sec·South Marginal Highway
34
Turn right onto Boulevard East
0.4 mi·1 min·Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
35
Take the ramp
123 ft·14 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York CityUse the straight / right lanes.
36
Turn right
0.2 mi·57 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel access
37
Merge onto NJ 495
1.6 mi·4 min·Lincoln Tunnel
38
Keep slight right at fork
265 ft·6 sec
Toward Dyer Avenue
39
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft·8 sec
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square Garden
40
Continue on Dyer Avenue
350 ft·19 sec·Dyer Avenue
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square GardenUse the left / straight lanes.
41
Turn left onto West 36th Street
1.3 mi·3 min·West 36th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
42
Take the ramp
68 ft·1 sec
Toward I 495: Queens-Midtown Tunnel
43
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
2.5 mi·4 min·I 495
44
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17W-EToward I 278: Staten Island, Bronx, LaGuardia AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Merge onto I 495
2.0 mi·2 min·Long Island Expressway
46
Take the exit
0.4 mi·35 sec
Exit 19Toward NY 25: Woodhaven BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
47
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward NY 25: Queens Boulevard, Woodhaven Boulevard, RockawaysUse the straight / slight left lanes.
48
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Toward Woodhaven Boulevard, RockawaysUse the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Turn right onto Woodhaven Boulevard
3.9 mi·10 min·Woodhaven Boulevard
Use the right lane.
50
Turn left onto Rockaway Boulevard
344 ft·9 sec·Rockaway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
51
Turn slight left onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
52
Turn right onto 104th Street
205 ft·9 sec·104th Street
53
Arrive at destination
104th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 8-hour drive, plan for an early departure to maximize daylight driving, especially as you'll be on local roads for much of the journey. With two recommended days for this trip, aim to cover about half the distance or a significant portion of the Keystone Shortway on your first day, stopping at the second of your planned two stops. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without significant breaks is considerable. A practical tip: familiarize yourself with PA 948 and US 62's typical speed limits before you depart, as they can vary more than interstate highways.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187.9 miles from Busti, NY, or about 4h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 253.5 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 83 miles or 2h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.9 miles or 4h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 187.9 miles or 4h 10m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 35m
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 Busti, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Busti, NY
Aim for roughly 188 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Queens, NY
Aim for roughly 188 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Busti, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 253.5 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 345.4 and 371.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
345.4 mi into trip|~7h 9m in
Take the exit toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 53
Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunn...
8
362 mi into trip|~7h 30m in
Take the ramp toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York City
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York City
8
367.9 mi into trip|~7h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 278: Staten Island, Bronx, LaGuardia Airport
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 17W-E
Toward I 278: Staten Island, Bronx, LaGuardia A...
8
370.8 mi into trip|~7h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 25: Queens Boulevard, Woodhaven Boulevard, Rockaways
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward NY 25: Queens Boulevard, Woodhaven Boule...
8
371.3 mi into trip|~7h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Woodhaven Boulevard, Rockaways
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Woodhaven Boulevard, Rockaways
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.78 one way
$121.56 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg132 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$65.95
$131.91
premium
$4.85
$71.71
$143.42
diesel
$4.80
$70.94
$141.88
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
$61
Tolls
$16
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.7
1
$39.45
$18.03
Efficient EV
93.9
1
$32.87
$15.03
EV Truck/SUV
150.3
1
$52.60
$24.04
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (66% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Busti, NY
Afternoon
in Busti on Sunday
Local time
1:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Smoke
W 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Queens, NY
Afternoon
in Queens on Sunday
Local time
1:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Smoke
NW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
81°F
Chemung, NY
188 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
14 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
8h 2m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 362.8
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 362.8
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 362.8
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 362.8
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 362.8
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 362.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a road with a turn-heavy local drive character, with only 16% of the route being on highways. The bulk of your travel will be on the Keystone Shortway, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 253.5 miles. As you progress, the route will likely shift from more open highway sections to more winding local roads, requiring your attention. This isn't a monotonous interstate grind; instead, it's a drive that encourages you to stay engaged with the changing road conditions.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
53 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 253.5 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 345.4 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 375.7 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 345.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 362 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 367.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,936 ft36 ft
Total Climb
2,483 ft
Total Descent
3,814 ft
Highest Point
1,936 ft
~53.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,900 ft
Notable High Points
1,877 ft at ~268.4 miles+675 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Busti, NY to Queens, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Clifton along the way.
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.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 253.5 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 188 miles on day one.
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 41 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 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. There are 41 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 345.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 362 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 367.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stonewall National Monument, African Burial Ground National Monument and Castle Clinton 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 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 16.1 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.
