Rest area
0 mi from route
Trip from Lackawanna, NY to Queens, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 9m
Distance
382.3 mi
615 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$62
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 1m
★
6 AM
8h 9m
8 AM
8h 26m
10 AM
8h 15m
12 PM
8h 13m
3 PM
8h 16m
5 PM
8h 25m
8 PM
8h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lackawanna, NY
Abhishek Navlakha
Queens, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lackawanna, NY to Queens, NY is 382.3 miles and takes about 8h 9m via Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and I 81, with a fuel budget near $63 and an overnight recommendation. This highway-focused drive stays within the Northeast region, traversing New York and Pennsylvania. With 66% of the trip on highways, it's a straightforward path for those prioritizing reaching their destination efficiently. Planning for two days allows for a more relaxed pace and avoids a very long single-day push.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
191.1 miles from Lackawanna, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Tier Expressway | 104.5 mi | 2h 2m |
| Keystone Shortway | 70.8 mi | 1h 27m |
| I 81 | 53.4 mi | 1h 3m |
| Genesee Expressway | 32.6 mi | 37m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Aurora Expressway | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| Varysburg Road | 10.9 mi | 15m |
| Big Tree Road | 10.5 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
Southern Tier Expressway
— 104.5 mi, about 2h 2m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 123 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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Lackawanna, NY and Queens, NY.
1
Start on Ridge Road
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Ridge Road
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 90 East, US 219 North
3
Merge onto US 219
0.6 mi
·
47 sec
·
US 219
4
Merge onto I 90
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
New York State Thruway
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 54
Toward NY 400, NY 16: West Seneca, East Aurora
Use the slight right lane.
6
Continue on NY 400
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Aurora Expressway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 20A, NY 78: East Aurora
8
Turn left onto US 20A; NY 78
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Main Street
9
Continue on US 20A; NY 78
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Big Tree Road
10
Continue on US 20A
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Varysburg Road
11
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Buffalo Road
12
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
West Buffalo Street
13
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Perry Center Road
14
Continue on CR 64
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Perry Road
15
Turn right onto NY 36
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Mount Morris Road
16
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
North Main Street
17
Continue on NY 36
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Sonyea Road
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
19
Merge onto I 390
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Genesee Expressway
20
Merge onto I 86
105 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
Southern Tier Expressway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
Use the straight lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 6
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford
Use the straight lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 380
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
25
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
26
Merge onto I 80
71 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 53
Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel
Use the slight right lane.
28
Merge onto US 46
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 46
29
Continue on US 46
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn slight left onto NJ 3
11 mi
·
11 min
·
NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel, Kennedy Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Merge onto NJ 495
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 495
33
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward Weehawken, Hoboken, Ferries to New York City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on South Marginal Highway
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
South Marginal Highway
35
Turn right onto Boulevard East
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
36
Take the ramp
123 ft
·
14 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York City
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
57 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel access
38
Merge onto NJ 495
1.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Lincoln Tunnel
39
Keep slight right at fork
265 ft
·
6 sec
Toward Dyer Avenue
40
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft
·
8 sec
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square Garden
41
Continue on Dyer Avenue
350 ft
·
19 sec
·
Dyer Avenue
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square Garden
Use the left / straight lanes.
42
Turn left onto West 36th Street
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
West 36th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
43
Take the ramp
68 ft
·
1 sec
Toward I 495: Queens-Midtown Tunnel
44
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
I 495
45
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 17W-E
Toward I 278: Staten Island, Bronx, LaGuardia Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Merge onto I 495
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Long Island Expressway
47
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 19
Toward NY 25: Woodhaven Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
48
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Toward NY 25: Queens Boulevard, Woodhaven Boulevard, Rockaways
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
49
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
Toward Woodhaven Boulevard, Rockaways
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Turn right onto Woodhaven Boulevard
3.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Woodhaven Boulevard
Use the right lane.
51
Turn left onto Rockaway Boulevard
344 ft
·
9 sec
·
Rockaway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
52
Turn slight left onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Liberty Avenue
53
Turn right onto 104th Street
205 ft
·
9 sec
·
104th Street
54
Arrive at destination
104th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 9m estimated driving time, splitting this trip over two days is recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to stop for the night. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 382.3 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a break is over 100 miles; consider refueling before reaching that point on the Southern Tier Expressway.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 191.1 miles from Lackawanna, NY, or about 4h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 84 miles or 1h 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 191.1 miles or 4h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 191.1 miles or 4h 4m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 39m
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 Lackawanna, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lackawanna, NY
Aim for roughly 191 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Queens, NY
Aim for roughly 191 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Lackawanna, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Southern Tier Expressway for about 104.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
191 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Barton, NYOvernight Options
Night 1
191 mi · about 4.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Barton, NY after about 191 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 191.1 miles from Lackawanna, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.5 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 191 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.
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.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Nichols Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Campbell Rest Area
0 mi from route
Crescent Lake Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Owego Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Broome Gateway Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pennsylvania Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Kanona Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Penn-Can Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pennsylvania Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Erwin Text Zone / Parking Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Larry Doby Service Area
0.7 mi from route
Connie Chung Service Area
0.9 mi from route
Rest Area
0.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
Alexander Hamilton Service Area
1.1 mi from route
GPS Roofing
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
Mount Morris Rest Area
2 mi from route
Geneseo Rest Area
2.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 395 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 374.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward NY 400, NY 16: West Seneca, East Aurora
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 54
Toward NY 400, NY 16: West Seneca, East Aurora
9
252 mi into trip
|
~5h 16m 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
351.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 16m 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
368.6 mi into trip
|
~7h 37m 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
374.4 mi into trip
|
~7h 52m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.85 one way
$123.69 round trip
$4.11/gal
25.4 MPG avg
134 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $67.11 | $134.23 |
| premium | $4.85 | $72.97 | $145.94 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $72.19 | $144.37 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.04
Lincoln Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(0.9 mi)
$0.04
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
$62
Tolls
$16
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$208–$318
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 114.7 | 1 | $40.14 | $18.35 |
| Efficient EV | 95.6 | 1 | $33.45 | $15.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 152.9 | 1 | $53.52 | $24.47 |
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Lackawanna, NY
Late night in Lackawanna on Sunday
Local time
4:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Smoke
E 1 to 6 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Queens, NY
Late night in Queens on Sunday
Local time
4:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Smoke
NW 6 to 10 mph
8% chance
Live forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
191 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
9 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
8h 9m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 381.2
View on nps.gov
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 381.2
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument
National Monument
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 381.2
View on nps.gov
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 381.2
View on nps.gov
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 381.2
View on nps.gov
Governors Island National Monument
National Monument
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 381.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 66% of it spent on major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Southern Tier Expressway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 104.5 miles. The journey transitions between the Southern Tier Expressway, the Keystone Shortway, and I 81, offering a consistent highway experience for most of the trip. Expect a direct and efficient drive with limited deviations from major thoroughfares.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
54 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.5 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 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 39 significant decision points across 382.3 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 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 351.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,904 ft
36 ft
Total Climb
3,765 ft
Total Descent
4,351 ft
Highest Point
1,904 ft
~273.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,868 ft
Notable High Points
1,354 ft at ~27.3 miles
+732 ft prominence
1,597 ft at ~81.9 miles
+577 ft prominence
1,904 ft at ~273.1 miles
+686 ft prominence
890 ft at ~327.7 miles
+562 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lackawanna, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Clifton.
Mt Pocono
252 mi in
|
~5h 16m
|
via US 6
Milford
252.7 mi in
|
~5h 17m
|
via I 84; I 380
Clifton
351.9 mi in
|
~7h 16m
About the Cities
Starting in Lackawanna, NY
Full guide →Lackawanna is a city in the Southtowns of Erie County, New York.
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).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 191 miles on day one.
Expect about $16.04 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 42 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 42 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 351.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stonewall National Monument, African Burial Ground National Monument and Castle Clinton National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.3 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.
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