Skip to main content

Trip from Keeseville, NY to Queens, NY

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 23, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 6m

Distance

300.3 mi

483 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

Good

5 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 54m ★
6 AM
6h 7m
8 AM
6h 33m
10 AM
6h 16m
12 PM
6h 13m
3 PM
6h 17m
5 PM
6h 31m
8 PM
5h 59m

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

hamlet in both Clinton County and Essex County, New York, United States

Keeseville, NY

Wikimedia Commons

borough in New York City, New York, United States

Queens, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Keeseville, NY to Queens, NY is 300.3 miles and takes about 6h 6m via Adirondack Northway, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within New York, taking you from the Northeast region down towards the urban environment of Queens. With a mixed highway and surface road profile, expect a blend of faster travel and local road cruising. It's a manageable single-day drive, but planning your departure time is key to avoiding significant traffic as you approach your destination.

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

150.2 miles from Keeseville, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Adirondack Northway 134.3 mi 2h 36m
I 87 118.6 mi 2h 17m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Cross Bronx Expressway 4.4 mi 5m
Front Street 4.3 mi 6m
Van Wyck Expressway 4.3 mi 6m
Whitestone Expressway 2.3 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Adirondack Northway — 134.3 mi, about 2h 36m

Traffic on I-87

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~2,467 veh/hr typical · worst 3,399

Quietest

1 AM

~114 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

21.6×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 79 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 Keeseville, NY and Queens, NY.

1

Start on US 9; NY 22

4.3 mi · 6 min · Front Street
2

Turn right

0.2 mi · 30 sec
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 25 sec
4

Merge onto I 87

134 mi · 2 hr 36 min · Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87

0.3 mi · 31 sec · I 87
Exit 1E-W Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo Use the slight right lane.
6

Continue on I 87

0.5 mi · 51 sec · I 87
Exit 1W Toward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87

118 mi · 2 hr 16 min · I 87
Toward I 87 South: New York Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

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.
9

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
10

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.
11

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
13

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4
Use the right lane.
14

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
18

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
20

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.4 mi · 5 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min
Exit 6A Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Merge onto I 678

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hutchinson River Expressway
23

Continue on I 678

1.3 mi · 2 min · Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
24

Continue on I 678

2.3 mi · 3 min · Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
25

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.
26

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 6 Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue Use the right lane.
27

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue Use the slight right lane.
28

Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West

0.9 mi · 2 min · Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
29

Turn right onto Liberty Avenue

1.5 mi · 4 min · Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
30

Turn left onto 104th Street

205 ft · 9 sec · 104th Street
31

Arrive at destination

104th Street

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour drive time, leaving Keeseville in the morning is recommended to allow ample daylight for the entire trip. You'll have one main stretch of 134.3 miles on I-87, so plan your first stop after that if you need a break. The fuel cost is estimated at $49, so ensure your tank is full before you depart. As you approach Queens, be prepared for increased traffic and more frequent exits, so stay alert. This drive is well within a single day, giving you flexibility on when and where you take breaks.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 150.2 miles from Keeseville, NY, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.3 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 66 miles or 1h 18m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 150.2 miles or 2h 57m 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 49m

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 Keeseville, 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 Keeseville, NY

This is one driving day of about 300.3 miles and 6h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Keeseville, 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 Adirondack Northway for about 134.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

village in town of Greenburgh, Westchester County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tarrytown, NY

150 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Bolton, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Albany, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 150.2 miles from Keeseville, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Adirondack Northway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 134.3 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Kantu Peruvian Cuisine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Forest Hills, New York

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13475310873

Visit website

Gracie's Luncheonette

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Leeds, New York

2.7 mi

Piccolo Trattoria

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Leeds, New York

2.8 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Painting Pottery Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Englewood, New Jersey

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 26min to go 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12018715958

Visit website

Rumba Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Leonia, New Jersey

1.1 mi

Cafe Adirondack Restaurant & Wine Room

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pottersville, New York

2.7 mi

Kantu Peruvian Cuisine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Forest Hills, New York

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13475310873

Visit website

Gracie's Luncheonette

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Leeds, New York

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+15189439363

Visit website

Piccolo Trattoria

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Leeds, New York

Hours: 4–9 pm

+15187193430

Visit website

Barnwood Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Catskill, New York

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15189432200

Visit website

Manche Pani

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Airmont, New York

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+18455334174

Visit website

Sara's Kitchen

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour Inexpensiv

Saratoga Springs, New York

Hours: 12–3 pm

+15183164456

Visit website

Sayola Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately

Tenafly, New Jersey

Hours: 4–10 pm

+12018712182

Visit website

Mi Ecuador Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Rensselaer, New York

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+15182750565

Visit website

Painting Pottery Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12018715958

Visit website

Rumba Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Leonia, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12013630008

Cafe Adirondack Restaurant & Wine Room

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $30 to $40

Pottersville, New York

Hours: 3–8:30 pm

+15184945800

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Cafe Tropical Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12018800669

Bite Food & Coffee Co

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12015602269

Visit website

Cafe HESED

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Little Ferry, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+12018706071

Visit website

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

+19172614093

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Mahwah, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Mountainville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19499452000

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

1.7 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Cornwall, New York

+18455343899

Visit website

ViaLynk Charging Station

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour

Cornwall, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15186913119

Visit website

ViaLynk Charging Station

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

Final third 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

New Windsor, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15186913119

Visit website

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area I-87 (South Bound)

0 mi from route

Ulster Travel Plaza

0 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0 mi from route

Malden Service Area

0.1 mi from route

Modena Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Clifton Park Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Sloatsburg Service Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

High Peaks Welcome Center

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Plattkill Service Area

0.1 mi from route

Modena Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

Rest Area

0.4 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.5 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.5 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.1 mi from route

Plaza 23 Truck Stop

1.3 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

2 mi from route

Xtreme Energy

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12014085555

Visit website

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12015675111

Visit website

Sunshine Pottery & Paint

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+12015415559

Visit website

Escape Room NJ

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–1 pm

+12018151784

Visit website

Bergen Performing Arts Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Englewood, New Jersey

+12012271030

Visit website

Overpeck County Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Leonia, New Jersey

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+12013367275

Visit website

Teaneck Creek Conservancy

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Teaneck, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12018362403

Visit website

Overpeck Park Playground

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Ridgefield Park, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

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 139.1 and 297.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
139.1 mi into trip | ~2h 44m in | I 87

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 1E-W Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
9
257.7 mi into trip | ~5h 2m 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
259 mi into trip | ~5h 3m 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
287.9 mi into trip | ~5h 43m 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
297.7 mi into trip | ~5h 59m 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

$49.76 one way

$99.52 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.57 $53.97 $107.94
premium $4.99 $59.00 $117.99
diesel $5.13 $60.70 $121.40

Estimated Tolls: $22.55

George Washington Bridge $16.00
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

$50

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$97–$122

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 105.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-20.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 90.1 1 $31.53 $14.41
Efficient EV 75.1 0 $26.28 $12.01
EV Truck/SUV 120.1 1 $42.04 $19.22

Gas CO2

105 kg

EV CO2

35 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 22, 2026

Origin

Keeseville, NY

Night in Keeseville on Wednesday

Local time

10:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

S 8 to 13 mph 68% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 21 at 10:14PM EDT by NWS Albany NY

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 21 at 9:48PM EDT until July 22 at 1:00AM EDT by NWS Albany NY

Destination

Queens, NY

Night in Queens on Wednesday

Local time

10:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

73°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

SW 16 mph 68% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 21 at 10:14PM EDT by NWS Albany NY

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 21 at 9:48PM EDT until July 22 at 1:00AM EDT by NWS Albany 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

8 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

6h 6m 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.

General Grant National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 279.6
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
View on nps.gov
Hamilton Grange National Memorial

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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 279.6
View on nps.gov
Saratoga National Historical Park

Saratoga National Historical Park

National Historical Park

In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...

8 mi from route ~20 min detour Free near mile 113.9
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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 300.3
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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 300.3
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

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 300.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive covers 300.3 miles with 52% on highways, meaning you'll encounter a good mix of faster travel and local roads. You'll spend the longest stretch, 134.3 miles, on the Adirondack Northway (I-87). Expect the highway portion to transition to surface roads as you get closer to the New York City metropolitan area, indicated by a higher density of exits and slower speeds. The shift from rural cruising on I-87 to more urban merging will be noticeable.

52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 134.3 mi on Adirondack Northway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 139.1 miles in near I 87.

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 22 significant decision points across 300.3 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 139.1 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

918 ft 24 ft

Total Climb

847 ft

Total Descent

1,231 ft

Highest Point

918 ft

~42.9 mi in

Elevation Range

894 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Keeseville, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Gsp South: Paterson and Fort Lee.

Albany

139.1 mi in | ~2h 44m | via I 87

New York

139.1 mi in | ~2h 44m | via I 87

Buffalo

139.1 mi in | ~2h 44m | via I 87

Gsp South: Paterson

273.1 mi in | ~5h 22m

Fort Lee

273.1 mi in | ~5h 22m

About the Cities

Starting in Keeseville, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1878

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 6h 6m. Total distance: 300.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 6m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 134.3 miles on Adirondack Northway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $22.55 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 26 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 139.1 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Saratoga National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 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.

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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.