Traveling from Lakewood to Queens covers 427.3 miles, a journey that takes approximately 7 hours and 8 minutes of pure driving time. Because this route relies on a turn-heavy local drive rather than major interstates, it is a significant commitment for a single day behind the wheel. You should budget about $67 for fuel to complete the trip. While it is physically possible to finish this in one recommended day, the intensity of the roads may leave you feeling drained by the time you reach the city. Consider whether you prefer the focus required for local navigation or if you would rather split the journey to maintain your energy levels.
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
189.7 miles from Lakewood, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
253.5 mi
4h 47m
PA 948
23.8 mi
35m
Jackson Run Road
12.5 mi
18m
Boot Jack Road
11.2 mi
16m
NJ 3
10.5 mi
11m
State Park Road
8.1 mi
14m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
7.4 mi
11m
Hoovertown Road
5 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 253.5 mi, about 4h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, NY and Queens, NY.
1
Start on West Summit Street
0.9 mi·3 min·West Summit Street
2
Continue on CR 69
2.6 mi·3 min·Big Tree Road
3
Continue on CR 69
3.9 mi·6 min·Big Tree-Sugar Grove Road
4
Continue on CR 69
1.0 mi·1 min·Big Tree Road
5
Continue on PA 69
0.6 mi·1 min·Forrest Street
6
Turn right onto PA 69; PA 957
403 ft·12 sec·Main Street
7
Turn left onto PA 69
0.3 mi·36 sec·Mechanic Street
8
Continue on PA 69
3.6 mi·5 min·Jackson Run Road
9
Continue on PA 69
0.2 mi·23 sec·Main Street
10
Continue on PA 69
8.8 mi·12 min·Jackson Run Road
11
Turn right onto US 62
2.1 mi·2 min·Market Street
12
Turn right onto US 62
0.2 mi·23 sec·West 4th Avenue
13
Turn left onto Hickory Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Hickory Street
14
Continue on Hickory Bridge
0.1 mi·24 sec·Hickory Bridge
15
Turn left onto Crescent Park
0.4 mi·57 sec·Crescent Park
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto US 6
1.8 mi·3 min·Crescent Park
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 6
0.2 mi·35 sec·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 6
2.9 mi·4 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 6
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
20
Continue on US 6
4.5 mi·6 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
21
Continue on US 6
1.1 mi·2 min·West Main Street
22
Take the exit
265 ft·9 sec
Toward PA 666 West
23
Merge onto PA 666
2.3 mi·4 min·South Main Street
24
Continue on PA 948
8.5 mi·12 min·PA 948
25
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66
2.9 mi·4 min·PA 66
26
Turn right onto PA 948
15 mi·22 min·PA 948
27
Turn left onto PA 948
1.0 mi·2 min·West Main Street
28
Continue on US 219; PA 948
11 mi·16 min·Boot Jack Road
29
Turn left onto PA 153
3.7 mi·6 min·Penfield Road
30
Continue on PA 153
5.0 mi·8 min·Hoovertown Road
31
Continue on PA 153
8.1 mi·14 min·State Park Road
32
Turn left
0.3 mi·40 sec
33
Merge onto I 80
254 mi·4 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 53Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln TunnelUse the slight right lane.
35
Merge onto US 46
2.1 mi·2 min·US 46
36
Continue on US 46
1.6 mi·1 min·US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Turn slight left onto NJ 3
11 mi·11 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel, Kennedy BoulevardUse the straight / right lanes.
39
Merge onto NJ 495
1.1 mi·1 min·NJ 495
40
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Weehawken, Hoboken, Ferries to New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on South Marginal Highway
0.1 mi·10 sec·South Marginal Highway
42
Turn right onto Boulevard East
0.4 mi·1 min·Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
43
Take the ramp
123 ft·14 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York CityUse the straight / right lanes.
44
Turn right
0.2 mi·57 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel access
45
Merge onto NJ 495
1.6 mi·4 min·Lincoln Tunnel
46
Keep slight right at fork
265 ft·6 sec
Toward Dyer Avenue
47
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft·8 sec
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square Garden
48
Continue on Dyer Avenue
350 ft·19 sec·Dyer Avenue
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square GardenUse the left / straight lanes.
49
Turn left onto West 36th Street
1.3 mi·3 min·West 36th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
50
Take the ramp
68 ft·1 sec
Toward I 495: Queens-Midtown Tunnel
51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
2.5 mi·4 min·I 495
52
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17W-EToward I 278: Staten Island, Bronx, LaGuardia AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
53
Merge onto I 495
2.0 mi·2 min·Long Island Expressway
54
Take the exit
0.4 mi·35 sec
Exit 19Toward NY 25: Woodhaven BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
55
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward NY 25: Queens Boulevard, Woodhaven Boulevard, RockawaysUse the straight / slight left lanes.
56
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Toward Woodhaven Boulevard, RockawaysUse the straight / slight right lanes.
57
Turn right onto Woodhaven Boulevard
3.9 mi·10 min·Woodhaven Boulevard
Use the right lane.
58
Turn left onto Rockaway Boulevard
344 ft·9 sec·Rockaway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
59
Turn slight left onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
60
Turn right onto 104th Street
205 ft·9 sec·104th Street
61
Arrive at destination
104th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour and 8-minute duration of this local-road route, departing early in the morning is essential to avoid navigating unfamiliar turns after dark. You should plan for at least two deliberate stops to stretch your legs and maintain focus on the winding, non-highway roads. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as local routes don't always offer the same frequency of large service plazas found on major interstates. Since this trip is entirely local, use a reliable GPS navigation system to manage the frequent turns on roads like Big Tree Road. Being flexible with your pace will make the long day behind the wheel much more manageable.
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 189.7 miles from Lakewood, NY, or about 4h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 253.5 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 83 miles or 2h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 189.7 miles or 4h 21m 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 189.7 miles or 4h 21m
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 48m
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 Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, NY
Aim for roughly 190 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Queens, NY
Aim for roughly 190 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Lakewood, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 253.5 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 39
5 decision points cluster between mile 349 and 374.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
349 mi into trip|~7h 22m 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
365.7 mi into trip|~7h 43m 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
371.5 mi into trip|~7h 57m 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...
8
374.5 mi into trip|~8h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 25: Queens Boulevard, Woodhaven Boulevard, Rockaways
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward NY 25: Queens Boulevard, Woodhaven Boule...
8
374.9 mi into trip|~8h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Woodhaven Boulevard, Rockaways
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Woodhaven Boulevard, Rockaways
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.45 one way
$124.90 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg133 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$67.53
$135.06
premium
$4.92
$73.53
$147.07
diesel
$5.61
$83.77
$167.53
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Lincoln Tunnel
$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
$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: 132.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
113.8
1
$39.84
$18.21
Efficient EV
94.9
1
$33.20
$15.18
EV Truck/SUV
151.8
1
$53.12
$24.28
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
44 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Lakewood, NY
Night
in Lakewood on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Queens, NY
Night
in Queens on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
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
48°F
Waverly, NY
190 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
10 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 15m 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 366.3
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 366.3
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 366.3
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 366.3
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 366.3
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 366.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its turn-heavy local character, as it features a 0% highway share throughout the entire 427.3-mile distance. Instead of cruising on monotonous interstates, you will navigate via Big Tree Road, Big Tree-Sugar Grove Road, and Forrest Street. Expect a technical driving experience that demands your full attention rather than a high-speed, hands-off cruise. Because you are avoiding major highways, the road surface and pace will remain consistent in its local, winding nature from start to finish. Prepare for a more hands-on, engaging drive that requires constant navigation through smaller corridors rather than long, open stretches.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
61 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 253.5 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 349 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 379.4 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 349 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 365.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 371.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Lakewood, NY to Queens, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Clifton along the way.
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.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 253.5 miles on Keystone Shortway. 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 190 miles on day one.
Expect about $16.00 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.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 349 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 365.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 371.5 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 8.3 hours each way, a round trip means 16.5 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.
