This 299.7-mile journey from Ontario County, NY, to Queens, NY, is achievable in a single day, with an estimated driving time of 6 hours and 42 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-81 and I-380, making up 55% of the drive as highway travel. With a projected fuel cost of $49, this trip offers a budget-friendly option for travelers within the Northeast region. While it's a manageable day trip, consider the single recommended stop to break up the drive. The overall experience is a practical transit between two New York locations.
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
149.9 miles from Ontario County, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
73.5 mi
1h 28m
Keystone Shortway
70.8 mi
1h 27m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
State Highway 96A
17.1 mi
23m
State Highway 79
15.2 mi
17m
Routes 5 and 20
11.2 mi
17m
Slaterville Road
11.1 mi
16m
NJ 3
10.5 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 73.5 mi, about 1h 28m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 246 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,353 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,201
Quietest
1 AM
~459 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Ontario County, NY and Queens, NY.
1
Start on this road
138 ft·15 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Middle Cheshire Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Middle Cheshire Road
3
Turn right onto US 20; NY 5; NY 21
1.0 mi·1 min·Western Boulevard
4
Continue on US 20; NY 5
2.0 mi·3 min·Eastern Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on US 20; NY 5
11 mi·17 min·Routes 5 and 20
6
Continue on US 20; NY 5
0.6 mi·1 min·Canandaigua Road
7
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.4 mi·3 min·Hamilton Street
8
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.1 mi·1 min·Lake Front Drive
9
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.6 mi·2 min·Waterloo-Geneva Road
10
Turn right onto NY 96A
10 mi·14 min·State Highway 96A
11
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 96A
6.7 mi·9 min·State Highway 96A
12
Continue on NY 96A
0.2 mi·26 sec·North Street
13
Continue on NY 96
485 ft·13 sec·North Town Line Road
14
Continue on NY 96
3.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 96
15
Turn left onto Center Road
1.4 mi·1 min·Center Road
16
Turn right onto NY 89
3.4 mi·4 min·State Highway 89
17
Turn right onto CR 141
0.9 mi·1 min·County Road 141
18
Continue on CR 141A
1.5 mi·2 min·Powell Road
19
Turn left onto NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 96
20
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi·11 sec·Trumansburg Road
21
Continue on NY 96
1.4 mi·2 min·West Main Street
22
Continue on NY 96
8.7 mi·12 min·Trumansburg Road
23
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·2 min·Cliff Street
24
Continue on NY 96
0.2 mi·22 sec·West Buffalo Street
25
Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard
523 ft·24 sec·Taughannock Boulevard
26
Turn left onto NY 79
510 ft·11 sec·West State Street
27
Turn right onto NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79
345 ft·12 sec·South Fulton Street
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto NY 79
0.8 mi·2 min·West Green Street
Use the slight left lane.
29
Continue on NY 79
1.1 mi·2 min·East State Street
30
Continue on NY 79
11 mi·16 min·Slaterville Road
31
Continue on NY 79
15 mi·17 min·State Highway 79
32
Continue on NY 79
3.1 mi·3 min·Main Street
33
Turn right onto NY 26
0.6 mi·47 sec·NY 26
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 81 South
35
Merge onto I 81
20 mi·24 min·I 81
36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
37
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.
38
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.
39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
40
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
41
Merge onto I 80
71 mi·1 hr 27 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
42
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 53Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln TunnelUse the slight right lane.
43
Merge onto US 46
2.1 mi·2 min·US 46
44
Continue on US 46
1.6 mi·1 min·US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
45
Turn slight left onto NJ 3
11 mi·11 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel, Kennedy BoulevardUse the straight / right lanes.
47
Merge onto NJ 495
1.1 mi·1 min·NJ 495
48
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Weehawken, Hoboken, Ferries to New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Continue on South Marginal Highway
0.1 mi·10 sec·South Marginal Highway
50
Turn right onto Boulevard East
0.4 mi·1 min·Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
51
Take the ramp
123 ft·14 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York CityUse the straight / right lanes.
52
Turn right
0.2 mi·57 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel access
53
Merge onto NJ 495
1.6 mi·4 min·Lincoln Tunnel
54
Keep slight right at fork
265 ft·6 sec
Toward Dyer Avenue
55
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft·8 sec
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square Garden
56
Continue on Dyer Avenue
350 ft·19 sec·Dyer Avenue
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square GardenUse the left / straight lanes.
57
Turn left onto West 36th Street
1.3 mi·3 min·West 36th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
58
Take the ramp
68 ft·1 sec
Toward I 495: Queens-Midtown Tunnel
59
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
2.5 mi·4 min·I 495
60
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17W-EToward I 278: Staten Island, Bronx, LaGuardia AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
61
Merge onto I 495
2.0 mi·2 min·Long Island Expressway
62
Take the exit
0.4 mi·35 sec
Exit 19Toward NY 25: Woodhaven BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
63
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward NY 25: Queens Boulevard, Woodhaven Boulevard, RockawaysUse the straight / slight left lanes.
64
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Toward Woodhaven Boulevard, RockawaysUse the straight / slight right lanes.
65
Turn right onto Woodhaven Boulevard
3.9 mi·10 min·Woodhaven Boulevard
Use the right lane.
66
Turn left onto Rockaway Boulevard
344 ft·9 sec·Rockaway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
67
Turn slight left onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
68
Turn right onto 104th Street
205 ft·9 sec·104th Street
69
Arrive at destination
104th Street
Trip Plan
To maximize your time, consider an early morning departure from Ontario County to avoid potential traffic as you approach Queens. With a total duration of just under 7 hours, one stop is recommended to stretch your legs and refuel. The fuel cost is estimated at $49, so budget accordingly. Keep an eye on your GPS, especially during the latter half of the trip, as the route becomes more turn-heavy. This drive is well-suited for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility in your schedule.
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 149.9 miles from Ontario County, NY, or about 3h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.5 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 66 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.9 miles or 3h 26m 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 20m
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 Ontario County, 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 Ontario County, NY
This is one driving day of about 299.7 miles and 6h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Ontario County, 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 I 81 for about 73.5 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 45
5 decision points cluster between mile 169.4 and 294.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
169.4 mi into trip|~3h 49m 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
269.4 mi into trip|~5h 49m 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
286.1 mi into trip|~6h 10m 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
291.9 mi into trip|~6h 25m 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
294.9 mi into trip|~6h 29m 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
$52.46 one way
$104.92 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$56.85
$113.70
premium
$5.23
$61.71
$123.42
diesel
$6.28
$74.05
$148.10
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
$52
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.9
1
$31.47
$14.39
Efficient EV
74.9
0
$26.22
$11.99
EV Truck/SUV
119.9
1
$41.96
$19.18
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Ontario County, NY
Late night
in Ontario County on Friday
Local time
5:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
W 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Queens, NY
Late night
in Queens on Friday
Local time
5:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Sunny
NE 6 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
38°F
Greene, NY
150 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
2 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
6h 42m 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
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
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 289.4
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
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 289.4
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 289.4
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
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 289.4
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 289.4
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 289.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive with a significant number of turns, characteristic of a turn-heavy local drive profile. While 55% of the route is on highways like I-81 and I-380, the remaining portion involves navigating more localized roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 73.5 miles on I-81, offering a period of steady progress. As you transition, the road's personality shifts between faster highway sections and more complex, winding local segments.
Only 55% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
69 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.5 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 169.4 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 45 significant decision points across 299.7 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 169.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 269.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 286.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,937 ft36 ft
Total Climb
2,136 ft
Total Descent
3,074 ft
Highest Point
1,937 ft
~192.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,901 ft
Notable High Points
1,937 ft at ~192.7 miles+652 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ontario County, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Clifton.
Wine and water define the Finger Lakes, a region of New York state south of Lake Ontario. Eleven elegantly elongated bodies of water arrayed across 80 mi (130 km) of rolling countryside have produced one of the top wine regions in the country, the East Coast answer to California's Napa Valley.
While the wineries that dot the slopes above the Finger Lakes—over a hundred of them—are a major draw, visitors also enjoy the region's many waterways, from the Finger Lakes themselves and Lake Ontario, to the mighty Genesee River and the historic Erie Canal. In the fall, leaf-peepers turn out in force, and wintertime sees skiers heading to the area's slopes.
After a day enjoying the sights and tastes of the Finger Lakes, head to Rochester, the state's third-largest city, for urban amenities and nightlife, or enjoy the college-town atmosphere of Ithaca overlooking Cayuga's waters.
Top landmarks
•North Main Street Historic District — listed on the NRHP in Ontario County
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 42m. Total distance: 299.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 42m 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 73.5 miles on I 81. 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.
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 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. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 169.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 269.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 286.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stonewall National Monument, African Burial Ground National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 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.
