Canton to Queens is 370.8 miles and takes about 7h 38m via New York State Thruway and State Highway 12, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region down to the bustling Northeast area of Queens. The route is mostly surface roads, so expect a more relaxed pace than a pure highway drive. It's a solid option if you're looking for a single-day trip without the intensity of constant high-speed travel.
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
185.4 miles from Canton, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
201.9 mi
3h 53m
Gouverneur Street
23.8 mi
27m
State Highway 12
22.8 mi
31m
Bea Luck Road
19.6 mi
23m
State Highway 812
16.7 mi
20m
Indian River Road
16.1 mi
19m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
Erwin Parkway
9.7 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Canton, NY and Queens, NY.
1
Start on US 11; NY 68
0.3 mi·48 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 11
24 mi·27 min·Gouverneur Street
3
Turn left onto NY 58; NY 812
0.6 mi·40 sec·William Street
4
Continue on NY 58; NY 812
5.5 mi·6 min·State Highway 58
5
Turn right onto NY 812
2.1 mi·2 min·Balmat-Fowler Road
6
Continue on NY 812
7.9 mi·9 min·State Highway 812
7
At end of road, turn right onto NY 3; NY 812
0.3 mi·33 sec·State Highway 812
8
Continue on NY 3; NY 812
0.4 mi·59 sec·State Street
9
Continue on NY 3; NY 812
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
10
Continue on NY 3; NY 812
2.9 mi·4 min·State Route 3
11
Turn left onto NY 812
5.7 mi·6 min·Indian River Road
12
Continue on NY 812
10 mi·12 min·Indian River Road
13
Continue on NY 812
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
14
Continue on NY 812
8.4 mi·10 min·State Highway 812
15
Turn left onto East State Street
1.5 mi·3 min·East State Street
16
Continue on Ross Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Ross Road
17
Turn left onto NY 12
20 mi·23 min·Bea Luck Road
18
Continue on NY 12
0.8 mi·51 sec·State Highway 12
19
Continue on NY 12
9.7 mi·11 min·Erwin Parkway
20
Continue on NY 12
22 mi·30 min·State Highway 12
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
22
Merge onto NY 49
0.4 mi·26 sec·State Route 49
23
Continue on I 790; NY 5
0.2 mi·13 sec·I 790; NY 5
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 90
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 90 East
27
Merge onto I 90
84 mi·1 hr 36 min·New York State Thruway
28
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, BostonUse the slight right lane.
29
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.
30
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
31
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.
32
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
34
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
35
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
37
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
39
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
41
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi·5 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 6AToward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Expressway
44
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi·2 min·Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
45
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi·3 min·Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
46
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.
47
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 6Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic AvenueUse the right lane.
48
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica AvenueUse the slight right lane.
49
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi·2 min·Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
50
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
1.5 mi·4 min·Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
51
Turn left onto 104th Street
205 ft·9 sec·104th Street
52
Arrive at destination
104th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 38m estimated drive time, leaving Canton in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With 2 planned stops, you can break up the 370.8 miles effectively. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially after exiting the New York State Thruway, as you'll be on surface roads for a larger portion of the trip. The fuel cost is estimated at $61, so budget accordingly. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility; however, consider the potential for increased traffic as you approach Queens, especially during peak hours.
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 185.4 miles from Canton, NY, or about 3h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.9 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 82 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.4 miles or 3h 48m 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 13m
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 Canton, 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 Canton, NY
This is one driving day of about 370.8 miles and 7h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Canton, 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 New York State Thruway for about 201.9 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 209.9 and 368.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
209.9 mi into trip|~4h 17m in|New York State Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
9
328.1 mi into trip|~6h 33m 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
329.5 mi into trip|~6h 35m 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
358.3 mi into trip|~7h 15m 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
368.1 mi into trip|~7h 31m 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
$59.98 one way
$119.97 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$65.09
$130.19
premium
$4.85
$70.77
$141.55
diesel
$4.80
$70.01
$140.03
Estimated Tolls: $32.64
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(201.9 mi)$10.09
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
$60
Tolls
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$118–$143
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.2
1
$38.93
$17.80
Efficient EV
92.7
1
$32.45
$14.83
EV Truck/SUV
148.3
1
$51.91
$23.73
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Canton, NY
Late night
in Canton on Monday
Local time
5:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
W 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Queens, NY
Late night
in Queens on Monday
Local time
5:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Smoke
NW 7 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
20 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 38m 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.
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...
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...
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 370.8
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 370.8
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 370.8
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...
9 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 370.8
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 on surface roads, with only 26% of the total 370.8 miles being highway. You'll experience a significant stretch of 201.9 miles on the New York State Thruway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect to navigate more local traffic and potentially a higher number of intersections as you get closer to your destination.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
52 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 201.9 mi on New York State Thruway.
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 209.9 miles in near New York State Thruway.
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 30 significant decision points across 370.8 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 209.9 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 328.1 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 329.5 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,231 ft36 ft
Total Climb
1,493 ft
Total Descent
1,835 ft
Highest Point
1,231 ft
~105.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,195 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Canton, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South, Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Canton (pop 7,200 in 2020, founded 1801) is the county seat of St. Lawrence County in northern New York. This tiny village is home to the State University of New York at Canton and to St. Lawrence University.
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 38m. Total distance: 370.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 201.9 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $32.64 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 28 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 209.9 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 328.1 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 329.5 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant 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 15.3 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.
