Trip from Queens, NY to Houghton, 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

7h 3m

Distance

340.1 mi

547 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$56

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

6h 52m ★

6 AM

7h 3m

8 AM

7h 26m

10 AM

7h 11m

12 PM

7h 9m

3 PM

7h 12m

5 PM

7h 24m

8 PM

6h 56m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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borough in New York City, New York, United States

Queens, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Houghton, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

This 340.1-mile journey from Queens, NY, to Houghton, NY, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 7 hours and 3 minutes to complete. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 75% of the drive on interstates, making it a straightforward, efficient trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $56 and a plan for two stops, this drive offers a practical way to traverse New York State. You'll be following major arteries like I-86 and I-81 for most of your time on the road, which is ideal if you prefer consistent speeds and minimal navigation. This trip is entirely within the Northeast region, keeping the scenery and road types familiar.

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

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

170 miles from Queens, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 38m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 86	100 mi	1h 56m
I 81	58.1 mi	1h 9m
Christopher Columbus Highway	44.6 mi	52m
Southern Tier Expressway	36.5 mi	42m
I 380	27.7 mi	30m
Keystone Shortway	17.3 mi	24m
US 46	10.8 mi	12m
NJ 3	10.2 mi	12m

Longest stretch: I 86 — 100 mi, about 1h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on 104th Street

0.2 mi · 45 sec · 104th Street

Turn sharp right onto Rockaway Boulevard

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Rockaway Boulevard

Turn right onto Woodhaven Boulevard

4.0 mi · 10 min · Woodhaven Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 19 sec

Toward I 495 West: Long Island Expressway, Midtown Tunnel Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 495

1.8 mi · 2 min · Long Island Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min

Exit 17W Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 49 sec

Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 495

1.4 mi · 2 min · Long Island Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 495

1.3 mi · 2 min · Queens-Midtown Tunnel

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Toward Crosstown, 37th Street Use the slight left lane.

Turn slight left onto East 37th Street

1.1 mi · 3 min · East 37th Street

Use the slight left lane.

Take the ramp

474 ft · 11 sec

Toward Lincoln Tunnel

Turn right

342 ft · 11 sec

Use the right lane.

Merge onto NY 495

105 ft · 4 sec · Lincoln Tunnel Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 495

3.7 mi · 6 min · Lincoln Tunnel Expressway

Toward Lincoln Tunnel Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 29 sec

Toward NJ 3 West: Secaucus Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

453 ft · 7 sec

Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto NJ 3

10 mi · 12 min · NJ 3

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 46

11 mi · 12 min · US 46

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap

Continue on I 80W

1.6 mi · 1 min · Interstate 80 West

Toward I 287: Morristown, Mahwah Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec

Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 80

45 mi · 52 min · Christopher Columbus Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec

Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380

Use the straight lane.

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17

100 mi · 1 hr 56 min · I 86; NY 17

Toward I 86: Corning

Keep slight right at fork onto I 86; NY 17

37 mi · 42 min · Southern Tier Expressway

Toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Erie

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec

Exit 31 Toward Angelica

Turn right onto Peacock Hill Road

0.3 mi · 32 sec · Peacock Hill Road

At end of road, turn left onto East Main Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · East Main Street

Enter roundabout onto West Main Street

0.1 mi · 13 sec · West Main Street

Continue on West Main Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

Continue on CR 16

2.3 mi · 4 min · County Highway 16

Turn right onto NY 19

3.3 mi · 4 min · Transit Hill Road

Continue on NY 19

7.9 mi · 11 min · South Main Street

Arrive at destination

NY 19

Trip Plan

Given the 7-hour estimated duration, departing from Queens early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic. Plan for your two stops strategically, perhaps breaking up the 100-mile stretch on I-86. With a fuel cost of around $56, keep an eye on prices as you travel, especially if you plan to refuel during peak times. This route is predominantly highway, so ensure your vehicle is in good condition for sustained driving. A practical tip for this journey is to utilize rest areas on I-81, as they are often well-spaced and provide convenient places to stretch your legs before continuing the final leg to Houghton.

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 170 miles from Queens, NY, or about 3h 38m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100 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 75 miles or 1h 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 170 miles or 3h 38m 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 46m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Houghton, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Queens, NY

This is one driving day of about 340.1 miles and 7h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Queens, NY.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 86 for about 100 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Broome County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vestal, NY

170 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Endwell, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 170 miles from Queens, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Kantu Peruvian Cuisine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Forest Hills, New York

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13475310873

Visit website

Best coffee break · first break window

Eagle Rock Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Montclair, New Jersey

Near the start, short detour

First break · 30min in 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

+19733586543

Visit website

Kantu Peruvian Cuisine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Forest Hills, New York

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13475310873

Visit website

Fiorentini Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Rutherford, New Jersey

Hours: 5–9:30 pm

+19737213404

Visit website

Fusion 27 restaurant and catering services

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately

Totowa, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+19735955595

Visit website

Tabbouleh Cafe & restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+17186738301

Visit website

Nangma Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30

Elmhurst, New York

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+13477306117

Eagle Rock Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Montclair, New Jersey

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

+19733586543

Visit website

C Squared Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12014259120

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Rockaway, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Vestal, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19499452000

Visit website

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 33

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.

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

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

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

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

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

$55.98 one way

$111.97 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 119 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.52	$60.54	$121.07
premium	$4.92	$65.92	$131.84
diesel	$5.61	$75.09	$150.18

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

$56

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$97–$122

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 119 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	102	1	$35.71	$16.32
Efficient EV	85	0	$29.76	$13.60
EV Truck/SUV	136	1	$47.61	$21.77

Gas CO2

119 kg

EV CO2

40 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 16, 2026

Origin

Queens, NY

Late night in Queens on Tuesday

Local time

4:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Houghton, NY

Late night in Houghton on Tuesday

Local time

4:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°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

15 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

Governors Island National Monument

National Monument

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 11.7

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 75% of the 340.1 miles spent on interstates. You'll encounter stretches of the Christopher Columbus Highway and significant portions of I-86 and I-81. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is a solid 100 miles on I-86, offering a chance to settle in and maintain a steady pace. This profile suggests a drive characterized by consistent speeds and efficient travel, rather than winding scenic byways. It's a route built for covering distance effectively, with the character of the road remaining largely consistent throughout its 7-hour duration.

75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 100 mi on I 86.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and I 81. 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 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 340.1 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 Houghton, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap and Mahwah.

Del Water Gap

37.3 mi in | ~59m

Mahwah

37.6 mi in | ~59m | via I 80W

About the Cities

Starting 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 7h 3m. Total distance: 340.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 3m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 100 miles on I 86. 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 Houghton, 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.

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 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Houghton, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Queens, NY to Houghton, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Kantu Peruvian Cuisine Restaurant

Eagle Rock Cafe

Kantu Peruvian Cuisine Restaurant

Fiorentini Restaurant

Fusion 27 restaurant and catering services

Tabbouleh Cafe & restaurant

Nangma Restaurant & Bar

Eagle Rock Cafe

C Squared Cafe

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

EvGateway Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Highland Park

Posh Princess Palace

Catch Air Hasbrouck

Canarsie Park

Maria Hernandez Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Queens, NY

Houghton, NY

Same local time

15 degrees warmer at arrival

7h 3m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Stonewall National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

Federal Hall National Memorial

Castle Clinton National Monument

General Grant National Memorial

Governors Island National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Queens, NY

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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