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Trip from Otisco, NY to Queens, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 15m

Distance

248.7 mi

400 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 2m ★
6 AM
5h 15m
8 AM
5h 42m
10 AM
5h 25m
12 PM
5h 22m
3 PM
5h 26m
5 PM
5h 41m
8 PM
5h 7m

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

Downtown Otisco, NY, NY

Otisco, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

borough in New York City, New York, United States

Queens, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Otisco, NY to Queens, NY is 248.7 miles and takes about 5h 15m via I 81 and I 380, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, entirely within New York State. You'll primarily be on major highways, making it a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion. Consider this for a no-fuss drive when you need to get between these two points 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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

124.4 miles from Otisco, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 111.2 mi 2h 11m
Keystone Shortway 70.8 mi 1h 27m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
NJ 3 10.5 mi 11m
State Route 80 7 mi 9m
Woodhaven Boulevard 3.9 mi 10m
US 46 3.7 mi 4m
I 84 3.7 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 111.2 mi, about 2h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on NY 80

7.0 mi · 9 min · State Route 80
2

Turn right onto Lake Road

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Lake Road
3

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Toward I 81 South
4

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 8 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

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.
6

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.
7

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.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
9

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
10

Merge onto I 80

71 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Exit 53 Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto US 46

2.1 mi · 2 min · US 46
13

Continue on US 46

1.6 mi · 1 min · US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Turn slight left onto NJ 3

11 mi · 11 min · NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel, Kennedy Boulevard Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Merge onto NJ 495

1.1 mi · 1 min · NJ 495
17

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward Weehawken, Hoboken, Ferries to New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on South Marginal Highway

0.1 mi · 10 sec · South Marginal Highway
19

Turn right onto Boulevard East

0.4 mi · 1 min · Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
20

Take the ramp

123 ft · 14 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York City Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Turn right

0.2 mi · 57 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel access
22

Merge onto NJ 495

1.6 mi · 4 min · Lincoln Tunnel
23

Keep slight right at fork

265 ft · 6 sec
Toward Dyer Avenue
24

Keep slight right at fork

334 ft · 8 sec
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square Garden
25

Continue on Dyer Avenue

350 ft · 19 sec · Dyer Avenue
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square Garden Use the left / straight lanes.
26

Turn left onto West 36th Street

1.3 mi · 3 min · West 36th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
27

Take the ramp

68 ft · 1 sec
Toward I 495: Queens-Midtown Tunnel
28

Keep slight left at fork onto I 495

2.5 mi · 4 min · I 495
29

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.
30

Merge onto I 495

2.0 mi · 2 min · Long Island Expressway
31

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 35 sec
Exit 19 Toward NY 25: Woodhaven Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
32

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 41 sec
Toward NY 25: Queens Boulevard, Woodhaven Boulevard, Rockaways Use the straight / slight left lanes.
33

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 24 sec
Toward Woodhaven Boulevard, Rockaways Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Turn right onto Woodhaven Boulevard

3.9 mi · 10 min · Woodhaven Boulevard
Use the right lane.
35

Turn left onto Rockaway Boulevard

344 ft · 9 sec · Rockaway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
36

Turn slight left onto Liberty Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Liberty Avenue
37

Turn right onto 104th Street

205 ft · 9 sec · 104th Street
38

Arrive at destination

104th Street

Trip Plan

Given the 5h 15m duration, departing in the morning is recommended to allow for any unexpected delays. Plan for your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or where you anticipate needing a break. The fuel cost is estimated at $41, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Otisco to maximize your budget. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility with your departure time. Be aware that the highway portion ends, so keep an eye on your GPS for the transition to surface roads as you near Queens.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 124.4 miles from Otisco, NY, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.2 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 55 miles or 1h 6m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 124.4 miles or 2h 29m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 4m

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 Otisco, 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 Otisco, NY

This is one driving day of about 248.7 miles and 5h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Otisco, 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 111.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

124 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.

Popular next leg

Ramapo, NY to Queens, NY

44.1 mi · 1h 10m

Pacing Suggestions

Binghamton, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

City of Scranton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 124.4 miles from Otisco, 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 111.2 miles.

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 33

5 decision points cluster between mile 118.4 and 243.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
118.4 mi into trip | ~2h 22m 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
218.4 mi into trip | ~4h 22m 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
235.1 mi into trip | ~4h 43m 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
240.9 mi into trip | ~4h 58m 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
243.9 mi into trip | ~5h 2m 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

$40.94 one way

$81.88 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $44.27 $88.53
premium $4.92 $48.20 $96.41
diesel $5.61 $54.91 $109.82

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

$41

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$82–$107

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 87 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 74.6 0 $26.11 $11.94
Efficient EV 62.2 0 $21.76 $9.95
EV Truck/SUV 99.5 1 $34.82 $15.92

Gas CO2

87 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 20, 2026

Origin

Otisco, NY

Afternoon in Otisco on Tuesday

Local time

12:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Queens, NY

Afternoon in Queens on Tuesday

Local time

12:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

63°F

Ramapo, NY

124 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

13 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

5h 15m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is mostly highway, with 67% of the travel on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 111.2 miles on I 81. Expect a significant amount of time on these major roads before transitioning to surface roads for the final portion of your trip. Keep an eye out for the dense network of exits as you approach urban areas.

67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.2 mi on I 81.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 118.4 miles in near US 6.

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 33 significant decision points across 248.7 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 118.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 235.1 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 Otisco, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Clifton, Weehawken, Hoboken and Ferries To New York City - among others.

Mt Pocono

118.4 mi in | ~2h 22m | via US 6

Milford

119.2 mi in | ~2h 23m | via I 84; I 380

Clifton

218.4 mi in | ~4h 22m

Weehawken

234.4 mi in | ~4h 41m

Hoboken

234.4 mi in | ~4h 41m

Ferries To New York City

234.4 mi in | ~4h 41m

New York City

235.1 mi in | ~4h 43m

Lincoln Tunnel Access

235.1 mi in | ~4h 43m

About the Cities

Starting in Otisco, NY

Full guide →

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 5h 15m. Total distance: 248.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 111.2 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.

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 118.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 235.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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