Lancaster, NY to Astoria, NY is 374.6 miles and takes about 7h 46m via Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and I 81, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, crossing from western New York through central Pennsylvania and back into New York. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip that can be completed in a single day. Plan for a solid drive with minimal detours, making it a convenient option if you need to cover ground efficiently.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
187.3 miles from Lancaster, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 56m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 168 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,210 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,900
Quietest
1 AM
~430 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Lancaster, NY and Astoria, NY.
1
Start on this road
116 ft·12 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
11 mi·18 min·Broadway Street
3
Continue on US 20
14 mi·19 min·Broadway Road
4
Continue on US 20
6.5 mi·8 min·Telephone Road
5
Turn right onto NY 63
3.0 mi·4 min·Ellicott Street Road
6
Continue on NY 63
4.1 mi·6 min·Big Tree Road
7
Continue on NY 63
0.7 mi·54 sec·State Highway 63
8
Continue on NY 63
7.5 mi·11 min·Genesee Street
9
Enter roundabout onto NY 63
108 ft·1 sec·Genesee Street
10
Continue on NY 63
1.3 mi·1 min·Genesee Street
11
Merge onto US 20A; NY 39; NY 63
3.3 mi·4 min·Geneseo-Mount Morris Road
12
Continue on NY 408
0.3 mi·32 sec·Mount Morris-Geneseo Road
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
14
Merge onto I 390
38 mi·44 min·Genesee Expressway
15
Merge onto I 86
105 mi·2 hr 2 min·Southern Tier Expressway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
20
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
21
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
27
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
29
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
30
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
32
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
34
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.8 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1C-DToward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany, Yankee StadiumUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·57 sec
Exit 1DToward I 87 South: QueensUse the slight left lane.
38
Merge onto I 87
2.8 mi·4 min·Major Deegan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward I 278 West: RFK Bridge, Manhattan, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on I 278
2.3 mi·4 min·Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Take the exit onto I 278 Truck
98 ft·2 sec·I 278 Truck
Exit 45Toward 31st Street, Astoria BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
42
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward 31st Street, Astoria Boulevard
43
Turn right onto 29th Street
315 ft·8 sec·29th Street
Use the right lane.
44
Turn right onto Astoria Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Astoria Boulevard
Use the right lane.
45
Turn left onto 21st Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·21st Street
46
Turn right onto 30th Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·30th Avenue
47
Turn sharp right onto 12th Street
386 ft·18 sec·12th Street
48
Arrive at destination
12th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 46m duration, leaving Lancaster, NY in the morning, ideally before 9 AM, will allow you to reach Astoria, NY with ample daylight. With 2 planned stops, you can break up the drive comfortably. The fuel cost is estimated at $62, so ensure your tank is full before departing and consider topping up before the longest stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway. This is a manageable one-day trip, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, splitting it into two days is also feasible. Keep an eye on traffic as you get closer to the New York City metropolitan area.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187.3 miles from Lancaster, NY, or about 3h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 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 82 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.3 miles or 3h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Astoria, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lancaster, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lancaster, NY
This is one driving day of about 374.6 miles and 7h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Lancaster, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 33
5 decision points cluster between mile 247.8 and 367.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
247.8 mi into trip|~5h 8m 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
362.3 mi into trip|~7h 24m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
362.6 mi into trip|~7h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
367.4 mi into trip|~7h 32m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1C-D
Toward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany,...
8
367.6 mi into trip|~7h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 87 South: Queens
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 1D
Toward I 87 South: Queens
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.60 one way
$121.20 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg131 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$65.76
$131.52
premium
$4.85
$71.50
$143.00
diesel
$4.80
$70.73
$141.46
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
George Washington Bridge
$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
$61
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$102–$127
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.4
1
$39.33
$17.98
Efficient EV
93.7
1
$32.78
$14.98
EV Truck/SUV
149.8
1
$52.44
$23.97
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Lancaster, NY
Afternoon
in Lancaster on Sunday
Local time
2:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Smoke
S 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Astoria, NY
Afternoon
in Astoria on Sunday
Local time
2:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Smoke
NW 6 to 12 mph7% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
187 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
11 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
7h 46m 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
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 375.1
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 375.1
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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 375.1
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 375.1
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 375.1
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...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 375.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway, with 61% of the drive on interstates. You'll encounter a stretch of 104.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway without needing to exit. Expect a good amount of cruising on high-speed roads, though you'll transition to surface roads for portions of the drive. The frequency of exits will likely increase as you approach your destination in Astoria.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
48 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 247.8 miles in near US 6.
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 33 significant decision points across 374.6 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 247.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 362.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 362.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,936 ft24 ft
Total Climb
3,355 ft
Total Descent
4,004 ft
Highest Point
1,936 ft
~268 mi in
Elevation Range
1,912 ft
Notable High Points
1,208 ft at ~26.8 miles+535 ft prominence
1,936 ft at ~268 miles+590 ft prominence
985 ft at ~321.5 miles+688 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lancaster, NY and Astoria, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 46m. Total distance: 374.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 46m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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.
Expect about $16.00 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 33 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 Astoria, 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 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 247.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 362.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 362.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall 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 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Astoria, NY before the return drive.
