The drive from Queens, NY to Cold Spring, NY covers 388.5 miles and takes about 8h 1m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on Keystone Shortway, US 219, Christopher Columbus Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mostly surface roads.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 200 miles on Keystone Shortway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $63.14 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
194.2 miles from Queens, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
200 mi
3h 44m
US 219
46.5 mi
53m
Christopher Columbus Highway
44.6 mi
52m
Southern Tier Expressway
19.1 mi
22m
US 46
10.8 mi
12m
Bennetts Valley Highway
10.5 mi
16m
NJ 3
10.2 mi
12m
Million Dollar Highway
8.3 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 200 mi, about 3h 44m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 149 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,027 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,623
Quietest
1 AM
~343 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.8×
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 Queens, NY and Cold Spring, NY.
1
Start on 104th Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·104th Street
2
Turn sharp right onto Rockaway Boulevard
0.5 mi·57 sec·Rockaway Boulevard
3
Turn right onto Woodhaven Boulevard
4.0 mi·10 min·Woodhaven Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward I 495 West: Long Island Expressway, Midtown TunnelUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 495
1.8 mi·2 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 17WToward I 278 West: BrooklynUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, ManhattanUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 495
1.4 mi·2 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
1.3 mi·2 min·Queens-Midtown Tunnel
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward Crosstown, 37th StreetUse the slight left lane.
11
Turn slight left onto East 37th Street
1.1 mi·3 min·East 37th Street
Use the slight left lane.
12
Take the ramp
474 ft·11 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel
13
Turn right
342 ft·11 sec
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto NY 495
105 ft·4 sec·Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 495
3.7 mi·6 min·Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
Toward Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·29 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: SecaucusUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
453 ft·7 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: CliftonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto NJ 3
10 mi·12 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto US 46
11 mi·12 min·US 46
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
21
Continue on I 80W
1.6 mi·1 min·Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, MahwahUse the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water GapUse the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Merge onto I 80
45 mi·52 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
195 mi·3 hr 35 min·Keystone Shortway
26
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·32 sec
28
Turn straight onto PA 153
7.5 mi·13 min·State Park Road
29
Turn right onto PA 255
7.9 mi·12 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
30
Continue on PA 255
0.2 mi·20 sec·Million Dollar Highway
31
Continue on PA 255
2.6 mi·3 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
32
Turn straight onto PA 255
8.1 mi·12 min·Million Dollar Highway
33
Continue on PA 120; PA 255
0.1 mi·14 sec·South Saint Marys Street
34
Turn right onto PA 120; PA 255
147 ft·3 sec·Railroad Street
35
Turn left onto PA 120; PA 255
382 ft·8 sec·South Michael Street
36
Continue on PA 255
0.1 mi·14 sec·North Michael Street
37
Turn left onto PA 255
0.7 mi·1 min·Maurus Street
38
Continue on PA 255
4.4 mi·6 min·Johnsonburg Road
39
Continue on PA 255
2.3 mi·3 min·Johnsonburg-Saint Marys Road
40
Continue on PA 255
0.8 mi·1 min·Powers Avenue
41
Keep slight right at fork
149 ft·5 sec
42
Merge onto US 219
6.6 mi·7 min·US 219
43
Keep slight right at fork onto US 219
40 mi·44 min·US 219
44
Take the exit onto US 219
0.4 mi·46 sec·US 219
45
Merge onto I 86; US 219; NY 17
19 mi·22 min·Southern Tier Expressway
46
Take the exit
0.2 mi·42 sec
Exit 17Toward NY 394: Steamburg, Onoville
47
Turn left
100 ft·4 sec
48
Turn left onto NY 394
428 ft·7 sec·Onoville Road
49
Continue on West Bank Perimeter Road
1.0 mi·1 min·West Bank Perimeter Road
50
Turn left onto South Loop Road
0.4 mi·1 min·South Loop Road
51
Turn right onto Steamburg Resettlement Road
0.5 mi·3 min·Steamburg Resettlement Road
52
Turn left onto Old Route 280
0.8 mi·3 min·Old Route 280
53
Arrive at destination
Old Route 280
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 194.2 miles from Queens, NY, or about 3h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 200 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 85 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 194.2 miles or 3h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 194.2 miles or 3h 59m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cold Spring, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Queens, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Queens, NY
Aim for roughly 194 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Cold Spring, NY
Aim for roughly 194 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Queens, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 200 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 41
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.6 and 16.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6.6 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 17W
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
8
7.6 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan
8
10.8 mi into trip|~22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Crosstown, 37th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Crosstown, 37th Street
7
12.3 mi into trip|~27m in|NY 495 / Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 495 / Lincoln Tunnel Expressway toward Lincoln Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Lincoln Tunnel
8
16.2 mi into trip|~34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.14 one way
$126.28 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg136 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$68.34
$136.68
premium
$4.87
$74.43
$148.85
diesel
$5.40
$82.64
$165.28
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
$63
Tolls
$16
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$209–$319
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
116.6
1
$40.79
$18.65
Efficient EV
97.1
1
$33.99
$15.54
EV Truck/SUV
155.4
1
$54.39
$24.86
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
45 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 16, 2026
Origin
Queens, NY
Afternoon
in Queens on Sunday
Local time
3:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cold Spring, NY
Afternoon
in Cold Spring on Sunday
Local time
3:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Georgetown, PA
194 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
9 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
8h 1m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
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...
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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
388.5 mi in 8h 1m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
53 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 200 mi on Keystone Shortway.
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 6.6 miles in.
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 41 significant decision points across 388.5 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 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Queens, NY and Cold Spring, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Penfield.
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.
Cold Spring is a village in Putnam County in the state of New York in the United States of America. Its location in the scenic Hudson Highlands and proximity to a commuter railroad makes it a popular weekend escape from New York City.
Top landmarks
•Plumbush — historic house in New York, United States
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 200 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 194 miles on day one.
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 Cold Spring, 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 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 16.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cold Spring, NY before the return drive.
