Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 59m
Distance
245 mi
394 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Horseheads, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Astoria, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Horseheads, NY to Astoria, NY is 245 miles and takes about 4h 59m via Keystone Shortway and Southern Tier Expressway, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, covering a good portion of New York state. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. If you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss between these two points, this is a solid choice.
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
122.5 miles from Horseheads, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 80 mi | 1h 37m |
| Southern Tier Expressway | 63.8 mi | 1h 15m |
| I 81 | 53.4 mi | 1h 3m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 5.5 mi | 5m |
| I 84 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Major Deegan Expressway | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Robert F. Kennedy Bridge | 2.3 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Horseheads, NY and Astoria, NY.
Start on South Main Street
Take the ramp onto NY 13
Merge onto I 86; NY 17; NY 13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
Continue on I 84; I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right
Turn straight onto CR 56
Continue on CR 56
Continue on CR 56
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
Continue on I 95; US 1
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 87
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on I 278
Take the exit onto I 278 Truck
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto 29th Street
Turn right onto Astoria Boulevard
Turn left onto 21st Street
Turn right onto 30th Avenue
Turn sharp right onto 12th Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 4h 59m duration, you can comfortably complete this drive in a single day, so consider leaving in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $40, planning is straightforward. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 80-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, as services can be spaced out on longer highway segments. This route is best suited for a departure when you have ample daylight. Enjoy the efficiency of this direct path.
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.
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 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.5 miles or 2h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Astoria, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Horseheads, 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 Horseheads, NY
This is one driving day of about 245 miles and 4h 59m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
123 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.
A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 122.5 miles from Horseheads, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 118.2 and 238.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany, Yankee Stadium
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 87 South: Queens
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$40.33 one way
$80.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $43.61 | $87.22 |
| premium | $4.92 | $47.49 | $94.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.09 | $108.19 |
Estimated Tolls: $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: 85.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.5 | 0 | $25.72 | $11.76 |
| Efficient EV | 61.3 | 0 | $21.44 | $9.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98 | 1 | $34.30 | $15.68 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Horseheads on Sunday
Local time
4:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Astoria on Sunday
Local time
4:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Scattered Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy
49°F
Ramapo, NY
123 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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This is a highway-focused drive, with 61% of the route utilizing major expressways like the Southern Tier Expressway and I-81. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including an uninterrupted 80-mile segment on the Keystone Shortway. While primarily highway, the initial part of the journey might offer a slightly different feel before merging onto the more direct expressway system. The overall character is one of efficient travel, prioritizing getting you to your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Keystone Shortway and Southern Tier Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 118.2 miles in near US 6.
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 28 significant decision points across 245 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 118.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Horseheads, NY and Astoria, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.
Mt Pocono
Milford
Founded 1659
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 59m. Total distance: 245 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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