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Trip from Medina, NY to Queens, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 57m

Distance

369.9 mi

595 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$61

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
7h 49m ★
6 AM
7h 58m
8 AM
8h 15m
10 AM
8h 4m
12 PM
8h 2m
3 PM
8h 5m
5 PM
8h 15m
8 PM
7h 53m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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village in New York

Medina, NY

Wikimedia Commons

borough in New York City, New York, United States

Queens, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 369.9-mile drive from Medina, NY, to Queens, NY, will take approximately 7 hours and 57 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible one-day trip. You'll navigate primarily via I-81 and the New York State Thruway, with a portion on the Keystone Shortway. With a fuel cost estimated at $61 and two planned stops, this route offers a straightforward journey across New York. The overall feel is a functional drive, connecting two points in the Northeast region without extensive detours, suitable for those prioritizing arrival time.

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

184.9 miles from Medina, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 98.8 mi 1h 57m
Keystone Shortway 70.8 mi 1h 27m
New York State Thruway 30 mi 34m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
Western Expressway 20.1 mi 26m
State Route 31 11.2 mi 12m
NJ 3 10.5 mi 11m
East Lake Road 9.9 mi 14m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Medina, NY and Queens, NY.

1

Start on NY 31; NY 63

126 ft · 5 sec · Main Street
2

Turn right onto NY 31

0.8 mi · 56 sec · East Center Street
3

Continue on NY 31

1.5 mi · 1 min · Million Dollar Highway
4

Turn straight onto NY 31

7.1 mi · 8 min · State Route 31
5

Continue on NY 31

2.2 mi · 2 min · West Avenue
6

Continue on NY 31

3.8 mi · 4 min · State Route 31
7

Continue on NY 31

1.1 mi · 1 min · Fancher Road
8

Turn straight onto NY 31

0.3 mi · 18 sec · State Route 31
9

Continue on NY 31

2.3 mi · 2 min · Holley Road
10

Continue on NY 31

0.5 mi · 36 sec · West Albion Street
11

Continue on NY 31

0.1 mi · 7 sec · Wright Street
12

Continue on NY 31

408 ft · 5 sec · Public Square
13

Continue on NY 31

382 ft · 5 sec · Mechanic Street
14

Continue on NY 31

0.5 mi · 1 min · State Street
15

Continue on NY 31

1.6 mi · 2 min · Brockport-Holley Road
16

Continue on NY 31

1.0 mi · 1 min · West Avenue
17

Turn right onto NY 19 Truck; NY 31

1.5 mi · 1 min · Redman Road
18

Turn left onto NY 19 Truck; NY 31

1.2 mi · 1 min · Fourth Section Road
19

Continue on NY 31

4.8 mi · 5 min · Brockport-Spencerport Road
20

Continue on NY 531

7.5 mi · 8 min · NY 531
21

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 490 East: Rochester
22

Merge onto I 490

20 mi · 26 min · Western Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
24

Merge onto I 90

30 mi · 34 min · New York State Thruway
25

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 58 sec
Exit 41 Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde Use the slight right lane.
26

Keep slight right at fork

327 ft · 7 sec
27

Continue on NY 414

0.3 mi · 35 sec · State Route 414
28

Turn left onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318
Use the left lane.
29

At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
30

Continue on US 20; NY 5

9.6 mi · 11 min · Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
31

Turn right onto State Street

226 ft · 12 sec · State Street
32

Turn left onto Dill Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Dill Street
33

Continue on Loop Road

458 ft · 16 sec · Loop Road
34

Turn left onto Genesee Street

5.5 mi · 9 min · Genesee Street
35

Continue on US 20

2.2 mi · 4 min · West Genesee Street Road
36

Turn right onto NY 41

0.5 mi · 45 sec · East Lake Street
37

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road
38

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
39

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road
40

Continue on NY 41

9.8 mi · 13 min · State Highway 41
41

Turn right onto NY 281

1.2 mi · 2 min · North West Street
42

Take the ramp

0.7 mi · 1 min
Use the left lane.
43

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
44

Merge onto I 81

45 mi · 54 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45

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.
46

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.
47

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.
48

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
49

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
50

Merge onto I 80

71 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
51

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Exit 53 Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel Use the slight right lane.
52

Merge onto US 46

2.1 mi · 2 min · US 46
53

Continue on US 46

1.6 mi · 1 min · US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
54

Turn slight left onto NJ 3

11 mi · 11 min · NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
55

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel, Kennedy Boulevard Use the straight / right lanes.
56

Merge onto NJ 495

1.1 mi · 1 min · NJ 495
57

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward Weehawken, Hoboken, Ferries to New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
58

Continue on South Marginal Highway

0.1 mi · 10 sec · South Marginal Highway
59

Turn right onto Boulevard East

0.4 mi · 1 min · Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
60

Take the ramp

123 ft · 14 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York City Use the straight / right lanes.
61

Turn right

0.2 mi · 57 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel access
62

Merge onto NJ 495

1.6 mi · 4 min · Lincoln Tunnel
63

Keep slight right at fork

265 ft · 6 sec
Toward Dyer Avenue
64

Keep slight right at fork

334 ft · 8 sec
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square Garden
65

Continue on Dyer Avenue

350 ft · 19 sec · Dyer Avenue
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square Garden Use the left / straight lanes.
66

Turn left onto West 36th Street

1.3 mi · 3 min · West 36th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
67

Take the ramp

68 ft · 1 sec
Toward I 495: Queens-Midtown Tunnel
68

Keep slight left at fork onto I 495

2.5 mi · 4 min · I 495
69

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.
70

Merge onto I 495

2.0 mi · 2 min · Long Island Expressway
71

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 35 sec
Exit 19 Toward NY 25: Woodhaven Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
72

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 41 sec
Toward NY 25: Queens Boulevard, Woodhaven Boulevard, Rockaways Use the straight / slight left lanes.
73

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 24 sec
Toward Woodhaven Boulevard, Rockaways Use the straight / slight right lanes.
74

Turn right onto Woodhaven Boulevard

3.9 mi · 10 min · Woodhaven Boulevard
Use the right lane.
75

Turn left onto Rockaway Boulevard

344 ft · 9 sec · Rockaway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
76

Turn slight left onto Liberty Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Liberty Avenue
77

Turn right onto 104th Street

205 ft · 9 sec · 104th Street
78

Arrive at destination

104th Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour, 57-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Medina, NY, to avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to Queens. With two recommended stops, plan to stretch your legs roughly every 2-3 hours to stay refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a major town could be 98.8 miles on I-81. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your timing based on real-time conditions.

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 184.9 miles from Medina, NY, or about 4h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 81 miles or 1h 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 184.9 miles or 4h 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 28m

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 Medina, 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 Medina, NY

This is one driving day of about 369.9 miles and 7h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Medina, 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 I 81 for about 98.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Broome County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vestal, NY

185 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

Thompson, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vestal, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 184.9 miles from Medina, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.8 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Kantu Peruvian Cuisine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Forest Hills, New York

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 369.9

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13475310873

Visit website

Fusion 27 restaurant and catering services

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Totowa, New Jersey

2.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Eagle Rock Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Montclair, New Jersey

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 343.4

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

+19733586543

Visit website

Kantu Peruvian Cuisine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 369.9

Forest Hills, New York

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13475310873

Visit website

Fusion 27 restaurant and catering services

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 343.4

Totowa, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+19735955595

Visit website

Lumis Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $50 to $10 mile 343.4

Fairfield, New Jersey

Hours: 12–9:30 pm

+19739442049

Visit website

Tabbouleh Cafe & restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 369.9

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+17186738301

Visit website

Nangma Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 369.9

Elmhurst, New York

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+13477306117

Eagle Rock Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 343.4

Montclair, New Jersey

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

+19733586543

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 105.7

Auburn, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 105.7

Auburn, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887174544

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 237.8

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 184.9

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

IONNA Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 237.8

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18334662474

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 264.2

Mt Pocono, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 26.4

Brockport, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 237.8

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Play Space ABC Cayuga

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 105.7

Auburn, New York

Hours: 9 am–1 pm

+13152525541

Visit website

Cayuga Museum of History & Art

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 105.7

Auburn, New York

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13152538051

Visit website

Highland Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 369.9

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

Ward O'Hara Agricultural

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 105.7

Auburn, New York

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13152527644

Visit website

Channing H. Philbrick Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 52.8

Penfield, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+15853408655

Visit website

Canarsie Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 369.9

Brooklyn, NY

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

Maria Hernandez Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 369.9

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 49

5 decision points cluster between mile 89.3 and 362 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
89.3 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in

Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde

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 41 Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
239.6 mi into trip | ~5h 4m 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
339.5 mi into trip | ~7h 5m 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
356.2 mi into trip | ~7h 25m 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
362 mi into trip | ~7h 40m 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

$60.89 one way

$121.78 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 129 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $65.84 $131.68
premium $4.92 $71.69 $143.39
diesel $5.61 $81.67 $163.34

Estimated Tolls: $17.50

Lincoln Tunnel $16.00
New York State Thruway (30 mi) $1.50

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

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$103–$128

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 129.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 111 1 $38.84 $17.76
Efficient EV 92.5 1 $32.37 $14.80
EV Truck/SUV 148 1 $51.79 $23.67

Gas CO2

129 kg

EV CO2

43 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 15, 2026

Origin

Medina, NY

Late night in Medina on Sunday

Local time

12:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Queens, NY

Late night in Queens on Sunday

Local time

12:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

7h 57m 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.

Stonewall National Monument

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 ~5 min detour Free near mile 357.1
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...

3 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 357.1
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

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 ~10 min detour Free near mile 357.1
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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 357.1
View on nps.gov
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 357.1
View on nps.gov
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 102
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, with a 55% highway share. While you'll encounter stretches of faster-paced highway travel, the profile is described as 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting a significant portion involves more frequent turns and potentially slower local roads as you approach your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 98.8 miles on I-81, offering a good period of consistent travel before you transition to more varied road conditions.

Only 55% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
78 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 81.

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 89.3 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 49 significant decision points across 369.9 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 89.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 239.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 339.5 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.

Between Medina, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford and Clifton.

Clyde

89.3 mi in | ~1h 48m

Mt Pocono

239.6 mi in | ~5h 4m | via US 6

Milford

240.3 mi in | ~5h 6m | via I 84; I 380

Clifton

339.5 mi in | ~7h 5m

About the Cities

Starting in Medina, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1817

Medina is a village in Orleans County, New York.

Top landmarks

  • • Medina Railroad Museum — railroad museum in Medina, New York, United States
  • • Main Street Historic District — historic district in Medina, New York
  • • Boxwood Cemetery — cemetery in Medina, 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).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 57m. Total distance: 369.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 57m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $17.50 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 89.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 239.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 339.5 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 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 15.9 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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