The drive from Middlesex, NY to Queens, NY covers 304.4 miles and takes about 6h 34m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Keystone Shortway, Southern Tier Expressway, I 81 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mostly highway.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 70.8 miles on Keystone Shortway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.47 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
152.2 miles from Middlesex, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
70.8 mi
1h 27m
Southern Tier Expressway
63.8 mi
1h 15m
I 81
53.4 mi
1h 3m
NY 14
38.1 mi
53m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
State Route 364
11.7 mi
17m
NJ 3
10.5 mi
11m
State Highway 54
4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 70.8 mi, about 1h 27m
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
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 Middlesex, NY and Queens, NY.
1
Start on NY 364
28 ft·6 sec·Water Street
2
Continue on NY 245; NY 364
360 ft·6 sec·NY 245; NY 364
3
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 364
12 mi·17 min·State Route 364
4
Continue on NY 364
0.4 mi·32 sec·Maple Avenue
5
Continue on North Avenue
1.1 mi·2 min·North Avenue
6
Turn left onto NY 54
277 ft·7 sec·Clinton Street
7
Continue on NY 54
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 54
8
Merge onto NY 14
38 mi·53 min·NY 14
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on North Main Street
1.3 mi·2 min·North Main Street
10
Take the ramp onto NY 13
0.2 mi·28 sec·NY 13
11
Merge onto I 86; NY 17; NY 13
64 mi·1 hr 15 min·Southern Tier Expressway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
13
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.
14
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.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
16
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
17
Merge onto I 80
71 mi·1 hr 27 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 53Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln TunnelUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto US 46
2.1 mi·2 min·US 46
20
Continue on US 46
1.6 mi·1 min·US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn slight left onto NJ 3
11 mi·11 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel, Kennedy BoulevardUse the straight / right lanes.
23
Merge onto NJ 495
1.1 mi·1 min·NJ 495
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Weehawken, Hoboken, Ferries to New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on South Marginal Highway
0.1 mi·10 sec·South Marginal Highway
26
Turn right onto Boulevard East
0.4 mi·1 min·Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
27
Take the ramp
123 ft·14 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York CityUse the straight / right lanes.
28
Turn right
0.2 mi·57 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel access
29
Merge onto NJ 495
1.6 mi·4 min·Lincoln Tunnel
30
Keep slight right at fork
265 ft·6 sec
Toward Dyer Avenue
31
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft·8 sec
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square Garden
32
Continue on Dyer Avenue
350 ft·19 sec·Dyer Avenue
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square GardenUse the left / straight lanes.
33
Turn left onto West 36th Street
1.3 mi·3 min·West 36th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
34
Take the ramp
68 ft·1 sec
Toward I 495: Queens-Midtown Tunnel
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
2.5 mi·4 min·I 495
36
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17W-EToward I 278: Staten Island, Bronx, LaGuardia AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Merge onto I 495
2.0 mi·2 min·Long Island Expressway
38
Take the exit
0.4 mi·35 sec
Exit 19Toward NY 25: Woodhaven BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
39
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward NY 25: Queens Boulevard, Woodhaven Boulevard, RockawaysUse the straight / slight left lanes.
40
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Toward Woodhaven Boulevard, RockawaysUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Turn right onto Woodhaven Boulevard
3.9 mi·10 min·Woodhaven Boulevard
Use the right lane.
42
Turn left onto Rockaway Boulevard
344 ft·9 sec·Rockaway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
43
Turn slight left onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
44
Turn right onto 104th Street
205 ft·9 sec·104th Street
45
Arrive at destination
104th Street
Trip Plan
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 152.2 miles from Middlesex, NY, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.8 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 67 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.2 miles or 3h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 11m
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 Middlesex, 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 Middlesex, NY
This is one driving day of about 304.4 miles and 6h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Middlesex, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 70.8 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 36
5 decision points cluster between mile 174.1 and 299.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
174.1 mi into trip|~3h 41m 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
274 mi into trip|~5h 41m 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
290.7 mi into trip|~6h 2m 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
296.5 mi into trip|~6h 17m 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
299.5 mi into trip|~6h 21m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.47 one way
$98.94 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$53.55
$107.09
premium
$4.87
$58.32
$116.63
diesel
$5.40
$64.75
$129.50
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
$49
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
EV Charging Along Route
19 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Dandy Mini Mart - Tesla Supercharger
Elmira, NY
Tesla
12 DCFC
Oakdale Commons Shopping Mall - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.3
1
$31.96
$14.61
Efficient EV
76.1
0
$26.63
$12.18
EV Truck/SUV
121.8
1
$42.62
$19.48
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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 Apr 24, 2026
Origin
Middlesex, NY
Afternoon
in Middlesex on Sunday
Local time
3:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Queens, NY
Afternoon
in Queens on Sunday
Local time
3:38 PM
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
5 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 34m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
304.4 mi in 6h 34m, mostly highway — 70.8 mi of that is on Keystone Shortway.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.8 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Keystone Shortway and Southern Tier Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 174.1 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 36 significant decision points across 304.4 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 174.1 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 274 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.7 miles: 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 Middlesex, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Clifton.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 34m. Total distance: 304.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 34m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.8 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 174.1 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 274 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 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.
