Catharine, NY to Queens, NY is 246.7 miles and takes about 5h 29m via Keystone Shortway and I 81, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, traversing the Northeast region. It's a largely highway-focused drive that should be manageable for a single day. With a recommended one-day duration, you can expect a straightforward journey primarily on interstates. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
123.3 miles from Catharine, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
70.8 mi
1h 27m
I 81
53.4 mi
1h 3m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Southern Tier Expressway
23.5 mi
28m
State Highway 224
11.2 mi
15m
NJ 3
10.5 mi
11m
State Highway 96
6.5 mi
9m
Spencer Road
4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 70.8 mi, about 1h 27m
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
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 Catharine, NY and Queens, NY.
1
Start on CR 15
75 ft·7 sec·County Route 15
2
Turn left onto CR 14
3.8 mi·9 min·County Route 14
3
Turn left onto NY 13
0.2 mi·12 sec·State Highway 13
4
Turn right onto NY 224
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 224
5
Continue on NY 34
1.6 mi·2 min·State Highway 34
6
Continue on NY 34
0.8 mi·1 min·Spencer-Van Etten Road
7
Continue on NY 34
1.0 mi·2 min·West Tioga Street
8
Continue on NY 96
0.3 mi·27 sec·Candor Road
9
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 96
10
Continue on NY 96
2.4 mi·3 min·Candor Road
11
Continue on NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·Spencer Road
12
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi·15 sec·Spencer Avenue
13
Turn right onto NY 96
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
14
At end of road, turn right onto NY 96
0.4 mi·54 sec·Owego Street
15
Continue on NY 96
2.3 mi·3 min·Owego Road
16
Continue on NY 96
5.4 mi·7 min·State Highway 96
17
At end of road, turn right onto NY 96
1.7 mi·3 min·NY 96
18
At end of road, turn right onto NY 96
335 ft·15 sec·Main Street
19
Turn left onto NY 17C; NY 96
0.1 mi·20 sec·Park Street
20
Turn slight left onto Susquehanna River Bridge Road
89 ft·3 sec·Susquehanna River Bridge Road
21
Continue on NY 96
0.3 mi·45 sec·Susquehanna River Bridge Road
22
Turn left onto NY 434
2.0 mi·3 min·Southside Drive
23
Take the ramp
372 ft·9 sec
24
Merge onto I 86
24 mi·28 min·Southern Tier Expressway
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
26
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.
27
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.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
29
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
30
Merge onto I 80
71 mi·1 hr 27 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 53Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln TunnelUse the slight right lane.
32
Merge onto US 46
2.1 mi·2 min·US 46
33
Continue on US 46
1.6 mi·1 min·US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Turn slight left onto NJ 3
11 mi·11 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel, Kennedy BoulevardUse the straight / right lanes.
36
Merge onto NJ 495
1.1 mi·1 min·NJ 495
37
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Weehawken, Hoboken, Ferries to New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on South Marginal Highway
0.1 mi·10 sec·South Marginal Highway
39
Turn right onto Boulevard East
0.4 mi·1 min·Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
40
Take the ramp
123 ft·14 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York CityUse the straight / right lanes.
41
Turn right
0.2 mi·57 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel access
42
Merge onto NJ 495
1.6 mi·4 min·Lincoln Tunnel
43
Keep slight right at fork
265 ft·6 sec
Toward Dyer Avenue
44
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft·8 sec
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square Garden
45
Continue on Dyer Avenue
350 ft·19 sec·Dyer Avenue
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square GardenUse the left / straight lanes.
46
Turn left onto West 36th Street
1.3 mi·3 min·West 36th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
47
Take the ramp
68 ft·1 sec
Toward I 495: Queens-Midtown Tunnel
48
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
2.5 mi·4 min·I 495
49
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17W-EToward I 278: Staten Island, Bronx, LaGuardia AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Merge onto I 495
2.0 mi·2 min·Long Island Expressway
51
Take the exit
0.4 mi·35 sec
Exit 19Toward NY 25: Woodhaven BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
52
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward NY 25: Queens Boulevard, Woodhaven Boulevard, RockawaysUse the straight / slight left lanes.
53
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Toward Woodhaven Boulevard, RockawaysUse the straight / slight right lanes.
54
Turn right onto Woodhaven Boulevard
3.9 mi·10 min·Woodhaven Boulevard
Use the right lane.
55
Turn left onto Rockaway Boulevard
344 ft·9 sec·Rockaway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
56
Turn slight left onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
57
Turn right onto 104th Street
205 ft·9 sec·104th Street
58
Arrive at destination
104th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 29m duration, starting your drive in Catharine, NY, in the morning will allow ample time to reach Queens, NY, before evening. While there's only one stop suggested, plan for additional breaks as needed on this 246.7-mile trip, especially during the 70.8-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $41, and it's always wise to top up when you see stations on the interstate. The highway-heavy nature of this route means fewer opportunities for spontaneous exploration, so have your route planned out.
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 123.3 miles from Catharine, NY, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.8 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 54 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.3 miles or 2h 44m 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 19m
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 Catharine, 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 Catharine, NY
This is one driving day of about 246.7 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Catharine, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 70.8 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 40
5 decision points cluster between mile 116.4 and 241.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
116.4 mi into trip|~2h 36m 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
216.3 mi into trip|~4h 36m 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
233 mi into trip|~4h 57m 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
238.8 mi into trip|~5h 12m 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
241.8 mi into trip|~5h 17m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.91 one way
$79.82 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$43.31
$86.62
premium
$4.85
$47.09
$94.17
diesel
$4.80
$46.58
$93.16
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
$40
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74
0
$25.90
$11.84
Efficient EV
61.7
0
$21.59
$9.87
EV Truck/SUV
98.7
1
$34.54
$15.79
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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
Catharine, NY
Evening
in Catharine on Monday
Local time
8:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Smoke
SW 7 to 13 mph93% 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
Queens, NY
Evening
in Queens on Monday
Local time
8:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Areas Of Smoke
S 7 to 14 mph95% 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
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 29m 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.
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
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 245.1
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 245.1
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 245.1
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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 245.1
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 236.3
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 245.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 61% of the journey on major highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on roads like the Keystone Shortway, I 81, and I 380. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 70.8 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. Expect a driving experience characterized by consistent speeds and efficient travel, typical of interstate travel across New York.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
58 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.8 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Keystone Shortway and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 116.4 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 40 significant decision points across 246.7 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 116.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 216.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,823 ft6 ft
Total Climb
1,365 ft
Total Descent
2,510 ft
Highest Point
1,823 ft
~141 mi in
Elevation Range
1,817 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Catharine, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Clifton, Weehawken, Hoboken and Ferries To New York City - among others.
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 5h 29m. Total distance: 246.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.8 miles on Keystone Shortway. 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 31 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 116.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 216.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stonewall National Monument, African Burial Ground National Monument and Federal Hall 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 11.0 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.
