Stretching 73.7 miles across New York, this route from Florida to Queens is a manageable journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 38 minutes. Because it is a short trip, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $12 on fuel for the transit. You will be traveling entirely within the Northeast region, transitioning from the smaller community of Florida into the dense urban environment of Queens. Since there are no required stops, the trip offers a straightforward, direct path for travelers looking to move between these two points efficiently. It is a practical choice for those who prefer to keep their travel time under two hours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.6 miles from Florida, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
New York State Thruway
13.7 mi
15m
US 6
8.4 mi
9m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
4.4 mi
5m
Van Wyck Expressway
4.3 mi
6m
Whitestone Expressway
2.3 mi
3m
Randall Street
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
NJ 17
— 14.1 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florida, NY and Queens, NY.
1
Start on NY 17A; NY 94
0.4 mi·43 sec·South Main Street
2
Turn right onto NY 94
1.8 mi·3 min·Randall Street
3
Continue on NY 94
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 94
4
Continue on NY 94
1.4 mi·2 min·Summerville Way
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 6 East, NY 17 East: MonroeUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 6; NY 17
8.4 mi·9 min·US 6; NY 17
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·59 sec
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York CityUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York CityUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 87
14 mi·15 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
12
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.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
15
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
20
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
22
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi·5 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 6AToward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Expressway
25
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi·2 min·Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
26
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi·3 min·Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
27
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.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 6Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic AvenueUse the right lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica AvenueUse the slight right lane.
30
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi·2 min·Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
1.5 mi·4 min·Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn left onto 104th Street
205 ft·9 sec·104th Street
33
Arrive at destination
104th Street
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of these roads, flexibility is your greatest advantage when planning your departure time. Since the trip takes under two hours, you have the freedom to hit the road whenever it best fits your schedule without worrying about long-distance fatigue. Keep in mind that because you are navigating local streets, traffic patterns can shift quickly, so check your GPS for real-time congestion updates before pulling out of your driveway. With no mandatory stops required by the route, feel free to stretch your legs whenever you find a convenient spot along the way. Your primary focus should be staying alert through the many turns, as the lack of highway segments means you won't have long, uninterrupted stretches to zone out.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 35.6 miles from Florida, NY, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.1 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 16 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.6 miles or 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 21m
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 Florida, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Florida, NY
This is one driving day of about 71.2 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Florida, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NJ 17 for about 14.1 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.7 and 68.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
4.7 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the ramp toward US 6 East, NY 17 East: Monroe
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 6 East, NY 17 East: Monroe
8
13.3 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
9
28.6 mi into trip|~36m 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
29.9 mi into trip|~38m 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
9
68.6 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
$11.72 one way
$23.44 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$12.67
$25.35
premium
$4.92
$13.80
$27.60
diesel
$5.61
$15.72
$31.44
Estimated Tolls: $23.23
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Whitestone Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(13.7 mi)$0.68
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
$12
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.4
0
$7.48
$3.42
Efficient EV
17.8
0
$6.23
$2.85
EV Truck/SUV
28.5
0
$9.97
$4.56
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Florida, NY
Late night
in Florida on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Queens, NY
Late night
in Queens on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
49°F
Ramapo, NY
36 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.
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
6 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
1h 41m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate via Randall Street, Highway 94, and Summerville Way, which means constant engagement behind the wheel. Because the longest stretch of road—found on Randall Street—is 0 miles, you should be prepared for frequent turns and a slower, more deliberate pace. This road personality demands your full attention, moving away from the fast-paced nature of major interstates. The route provides a consistent local experience that reflects the change in scenery as you head toward the city.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.1 mi on NJ 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 17 and New York State Thruway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.2 miles you will encounter 22 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Florida, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany, New York City, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Florida is the southernmost state in the continental United States of America. Known as "The Sunshine State", over a century ago it became a popular winter destination for the well-to-do from colder climates; it has grown to become the second-most visited state in the nation. Tourists have long been drawn to Florida by its white-sand beaches and unique and diverse cities. Since the mid-twentieth century, world-class theme parks and attractions have become a top draw as well. In the 21st century, Florida has become the preferred retirement destination for rich Americans from all over the country.
The state's roots in agriculture are still relevant, with oranges being a chief export. Untouched natural landscapes teeming with wildlife exist in vast areas, sometimes very close to cities, and there are miles of rivers and trails for the intrepid visitor.
Top landmarks
•Magic Kingdom — Theme park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida
•Norton Museum of Art — museum in West Palm Beach, Florida
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 1h 41m. Total distance: 71.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.1 miles on NJ 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.23 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.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Queens, NY before heading back.
