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Trip from Hamden, NY to Queens, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 26m

Distance

151.9 mi

244 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 14m ★
6 AM
3h 26m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 32m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 49m
8 PM
3h 19m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Hamden, NY, NY

Hamden, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

borough in New York City, New York, United States

Queens, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Hamden, NY to Queens, NY is 151.9 miles and takes about 3h 26m via NY 17 and NJ 17, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily traversing New York and briefly touching New Jersey before reaching your destination in Queens. Expect a predominantly highway experience for most of the drive, making it a straightforward and efficient transit. With a recommended single day for completion, this route is ideal for those looking to make good time and minimize overnight stays.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

76 miles from Hamden, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NY 17 70.1 mi 1h 23m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
New York State Thruway 13.7 mi 15m
Hawleys-Downsville Road 7.5 mi 10m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
State Highway 206 4.8 mi 8m
Cat Hollow Road 4.6 mi 8m
Cross Bronx Expressway 4.4 mi 5m
Longest stretch: NY 17 — 70.1 mi, about 1h 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hamden, NY and Queens, NY.

1

Start on NY 10

1.5 mi · 2 min · State Highway 10
2

Turn left onto CR 26

0.7 mi · 59 sec · Hawleys-Downsville Road
3

Continue on CR 26

6.9 mi · 9 min · Hawleys-Downsville Road
4

Continue on CR 26

1.0 mi · 1 min · Knox Avenue
5

At end of road, turn left onto NY 206

508 ft · 16 sec · State Highway 206
6

Continue on NY 30; NY 206

0.3 mi · 47 sec · Bridge Street
7

Continue on NY 30; NY 206

2.8 mi · 4 min · State Highway 30
8

Turn right onto NY 206; CR 7

4.6 mi · 8 min · Cat Hollow Road
9

Continue on NY 206; CR 7

4.7 mi · 8 min · State Highway 206
10

Continue on NY 206; CR 91

1.6 mi · 2 min · Rockland Road
11

Continue on NY 206; CR 179

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Old Route 17
12

Turn right onto CR 124

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Stewart Avenue
13

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward NY 17 East: New York City Use the left lane.
14

Merge onto NY 17

69 mi · 1 hr 22 min · NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 59 sec
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight right at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York City Use the slight right lane.
17

Merge onto I 87

14 mi · 15 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17

0.9 mi · 59 sec · NY 17
Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey Use the slight right lane.
19

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
20

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17

14 mi · 18 min · NJ 17
Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah Use the slight left / straight lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
22

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
23

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4
Use the right lane.
24

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
26

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
28

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
30

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.4 mi · 5 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min
Exit 6A Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Merge onto I 678

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hutchinson River Expressway
33

Continue on I 678

1.3 mi · 2 min · Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
34

Continue on I 678

2.3 mi · 3 min · Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
35

Keep slight left at fork onto I 678

4.3 mi · 6 min · Van Wyck Expressway
Toward I 678 South: Kennedy Airport Use the slight left lane.
36

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 6 Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue Use the right lane.
37

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue Use the slight right lane.
38

Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West

0.9 mi · 2 min · Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
39

Turn right onto Liberty Avenue

1.5 mi · 4 min · Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
40

Turn left onto 104th Street

205 ft · 9 sec · 104th Street
41

Arrive at destination

104th Street

Trip Plan

Given the 3h 26m estimated drive time and 151.9 miles, it's best to start your trip in Hamden early in the morning to avoid peak traffic, especially as you near Queens. The $25 fuel cost estimate is based on a single day's drive, so ensure your tank is full before departing. While the longest stretch without a stop is 70.1 miles on NY 17, there are ample opportunities for quick breaks along the way, especially on the highway segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as prices can vary significantly once you enter the New York metropolitan area.

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 76 miles from Hamden, NY, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.1 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 33 miles or 50m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 76 miles or 1h 41m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 41m

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 Hamden, 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 Hamden, NY

This is one driving day of about 151.9 miles and 3h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Hamden, 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 NY 17 for about 70.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

76 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Ramapo, NY to Queens, NY

44.1 mi · 1h 10m

Pacing Suggestions

Livingston Manor, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New Windsor, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76 miles from Hamden, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 25

5 decision points cluster between mile 24.6 and 149.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
24.6 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the ramp toward NY 17 East: New York City

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward NY 17 East: New York City
8
94 mi into trip | ~2h 2m 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
109.2 mi into trip | ~2h 21m 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
110.6 mi into trip | ~2h 23m 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
149.3 mi into trip | ~3h 19m 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

$25.00 one way

$50.01 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $27.04 $54.07
premium $4.92 $29.44 $58.88
diesel $5.61 $33.54 $67.08

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

$25

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.6 0 $15.95 $7.29
Efficient EV 38 0 $13.29 $6.08
EV Truck/SUV 60.8 0 $21.27 $9.72

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (66% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Hamden, NY

Morning in Hamden on Tuesday

Local time

8:12 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Queens, NY

Morning in Queens on Tuesday

Local time

8:12 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

63°F

Ramapo, NY

76 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

14 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

3h 26m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is mostly highway, with 76% of the 151.9 miles spent on faster roads like NY 17 and NJ 17. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch of highway at 70.1 miles on NY 17, offering a consistent cruising experience. The remaining 24% of the trip will be on surface roads, likely featuring more frequent intersections and slower speeds as you approach Queens. Be prepared for a high number of exits and potential merging traffic as you transition between highway segments and local roads.

76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.1 mi on NY 17.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 25 significant decision points across 151.9 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 24.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 94 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.2 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 Hamden, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany, New York City, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.

Nyst: Albany

94 mi in | ~2h 2m

New York City

94 mi in | ~2h 2m

Gsp South: Paterson

124.7 mi in | ~2h 41m

Fort Lee

124.7 mi in | ~2h 41m

New York

124.7 mi in | ~2h 41m

About the Cities

Arriving in Queens, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1683

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.

Top landmarks

  • Queensboro Bridge — bridge in New York City
  • Unisphere — Steel structure in Queens, New York

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 151.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 70.1 miles on NY 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.

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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 24.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 94 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.2 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Queens, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Queens, NY to Hamden, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

152.3 mi 3h 24m

Explore more options from Hamden, NY or browse trips ending in Queens, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.