Traveling from New Windsor to Queens covers approximately 71.3 miles and generally takes about 1 hour and 33 minutes of driving time. Since this route is well within the range of a single day, you can easily complete the entire trip in one go without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend around $11 on fuel for the journey, making this an economical trip across the Northeast region. You will primarily navigate via Route 9W and the Palisades Interstate Parkway before crossing the George Washington Bridge. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, it is best suited for those who prefer staying off major highways while transitioning between the Hudson Valley and the city.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.6 miles from New Windsor, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Palisades Interstate Parkway
37.4 mi
47m
United States Route 9W
14.5 mi
21m
Cross Bronx Expressway
4.4 mi
5m
Van Wyck Expressway
4.3 mi
6m
Whitestone Expressway
2.3 mi
3m
Liberty Avenue
1.5 mi
4m
Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
1.3 mi
2m
Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Palisades Interstate Parkway
— 37.4 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Windsor, NY and Queens, NY.
1
Start on CR 69
0.4 mi·56 sec·Union Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 9W
14 mi·21 min·United States Route 9W
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
4
Merge onto US 6
2.3 mi·3 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
5
Keep slight left at fork onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
35 mi·44 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·52 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
7
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
9
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi·5 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 6AToward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Expressway
12
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi·2 min·Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
13
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi·3 min·Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 678
4.3 mi·6 min·Van Wyck Expressway
Toward I 678 South: Kennedy AirportUse the slight left lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 6Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic AvenueUse the right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica AvenueUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi·2 min·Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
1.5 mi·4 min·Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto 104th Street
205 ft·9 sec·104th Street
20
Arrive at destination
104th Street
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 1 hour and 33-minute drive, plan your departure for a time when you feel alert and ready for constant steering adjustments. Since there are no designated stops on this route, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave New Windsor to cover the $11 expense comfortably. Flexibility is a major advantage here; because the trip is relatively short, you can adjust your departure time to avoid the most congested periods near the George Washington Bridge. Keep in mind that the lack of highway stretches means your travel time can fluctuate based on local traffic volume. A concrete tip for this trip is to monitor your GPS closely for turns, as the reliance on Route 9W and local parkways requires frequent navigation changes.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 35.6 miles from New Windsor, NY, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.4 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 16 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.6 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 22m
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 New Windsor, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from New Windsor, NY
This is one driving day of about 71.2 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from New Windsor, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Palisades Interstate Parkway for about 37.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.4 and 68.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
17.4 mi into trip|~25m in|Palisades Interstate Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
58.8 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens
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 6A
Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens
7
64.1 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|I 678 / Van Wyck Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 678 / Van Wyck Expressway toward I 678 South: Kennedy Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 678 South: Kennedy Airport
8
68.4 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 6
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlanti...
9
68.6 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.72 one way
$23.44 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$12.67
$25.35
premium
$4.92
$13.80
$27.60
diesel
$5.61
$15.72
$31.44
Estimated Tolls: $22.55
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Whitestone Bridge
$6.55
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
$12
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.4
0
$7.48
$3.42
Efficient EV
17.8
0
$6.23
$2.85
EV Truck/SUV
28.5
0
$9.97
$4.56
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
New Windsor, NY
Late night
in New Windsor on Sunday
Local time
4:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
31°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Queens, NY
Late night
in Queens on Sunday
Local time
4:00 AM
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
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
22 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
1h 42m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
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...
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 66.3
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 71.2
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 71.2
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...
9 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 71.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a technical, turn-heavy experience rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route features zero percent highway share. You will navigate local roads throughout the entire 71.3-mile journey, meaning you should be prepared for frequent maneuvering rather than cruising at high speeds. With no long stretches of highway, your longest uninterrupted drive on Route 9W will require your full attention behind the wheel. The character of the road remains consistent in its local focus, demanding a more hands-on driving style as you make your way toward the George Washington Bridge. It is a practical alternative for drivers who want to avoid the high-speed intensity of primary interstates.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.4 mi on Palisades Interstate Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Palisades Interstate Parkway and United States Route 9W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.4 miles in near Palisades Interstate Parkway.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.2 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 17.4 miles (Palisades Interstate Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.1 miles (I 678 / Van Wyck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 1h 42m. Total distance: 71.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.4 miles on Palisades Interstate Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $22.55 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.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.4 miles (Palisades Interstate Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.1 miles (I 678 / Van Wyck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and African Burial Ground National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Queens, NY before heading back.
