Trip from Queens, NY to Kent, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 51m
Distance
359.2 mi
578 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$63
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Queens, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Kent, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Queens, NY to Kent, NY is 359.2 miles and takes about 7h 51m via I 81 and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, making it a straightforward drive between two points in New York. You'll primarily be on major highways for over half the trip. Given the duration and distance, it's best tackled as a single-day excursion if you get an early start. Plan for around 7 to 8 hours of actual driving time, not including any stops.
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
179.6 miles from Queens, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 97.3 mi | 1h 55m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 44.6 mi | 52m |
| New York State Thruway | 30.3 mi | 34m |
| I 380 | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| Keystone Shortway | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| Eastern Expressway | 15.3 mi | 19m |
| West Ridge Road | 13.4 mi | 19m |
| US 46 | 10.8 mi | 12m |
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
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 Queens, NY and Kent, NY.
Start on 104th Street
Turn sharp right onto Rockaway Boulevard
Turn right onto Woodhaven Boulevard
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 495
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
Keep slight left at fork
Turn slight left onto East 37th Street
Take the ramp
Turn right
Merge onto NY 495
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 495
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto NJ 3
Merge onto US 46
Take the exit
Continue on I 80W
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Take the exit
Continue on I 380
Merge onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Take the exit
Turn right onto NY 13
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
Continue on Albany Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
Turn left onto NY 41
Continue on NY 41
Continue on NY 41
Continue on NY 41
Continue on NY 41
Turn left onto US 20
Turn right onto US 20
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
Continue on US 20; NY 5
Turn right onto NY 318
Continue on NY 318
Turn right onto NY 414
Continue on NY 414
Take the ramp
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Continue on I 490
Keep slight left at fork onto I 490
Take the exit
Continue on NY 531
Continue on NY 31
Turn right onto NY 260
Turn left onto NY 104
Turn right onto CR 11
Turn right onto Ford Street
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To comfortably complete this 359.2-mile drive in one day, aim to depart Queens by mid-morning at the latest. With 7 hours and 51 minutes of estimated drive time, you'll want to take advantage of your 2 planned stops to break up the 97.3-mile longest stretch on I 81. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $60 budget is an estimate and prices can vary. The transition from highway to surface roads means you'll need to adjust your driving style and be more aware of local traffic patterns as you approach Kent.
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 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 79 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.6 miles or 3h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kent, 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 359.2 miles and 7h 51m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
180 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
A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 179.6 miles from Queens, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.3 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.
Rest Area
Rest Area
Penn-Can Travel Plaza
Rest area
Rest Area
Rest Area
Petro Stopping Centers
Whitney Point Rest Area
Pennsylvania Welcome Center
Rest Area
Rest Area
Onvo Travel Plaza
Clifton Springs Travel Plaza
Junius Ponds Travel Plaza
Seneca Travel Plaza
Crescent Lake Rest Area
Love's Travel Stop
Onvo Travel Plaza
TA
Pennsylvania Welcome Center
Rest Area
Flying J Travel Center
Onvo Travel Plaza
Service Plaza
Love's Travel Stop
TA
Larry Doby Service Area
Service Plaza
Connie Chung Service Area
Rest Area
Alexander Hamilton Service Area
Rest Area
GPS Roofing
Service Plaza
Rest Area
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Vince Lombardi Service Area
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 485 decision points cluster between mile 6.6 and 330.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward NY 531 West: Spencerport, Brockport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.87 one way
$125.75 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.82 | $68.13 | $136.27 |
| premium | $5.23 | $73.96 | $147.92 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $87.38 | $174.76 |
Estimated Tolls: $17.52
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
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$105–$130
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 107.8 | 1 | $37.72 | $17.24 |
| Efficient EV | 89.8 | 1 | $31.43 | $14.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 143.7 | 1 | $50.29 | $22.99 |
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Origin
Queens, NY
Evening in Queens on Tuesday
Local time
6:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Clear
Destination
Kent, NY
Evening in Kent on Tuesday
Local time
6:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
62°F
Barton, NY
180 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
6 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
7h 51m 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...
African Burial Ground National Monument
National Monument
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...
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
Castle Clinton National Monument
National Monument
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...
Federal Hall National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is about 53% highway driving, with the longest continuous stretch on I 81 covering 97.3 miles. After leaving the major interstates, the profile shifts to mostly surface roads for the remainder of the trip. Expect to encounter urban merging and dense exits early on as you navigate out of the New York City metropolitan area. The latter half of the drive will feel more like cruising through varied terrain as you transition to non-highway segments.
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.
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 48 significant decision points across 359.2 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
2,381 ft
Total Descent
2,077 ft
Highest Point
1,806 ft
~102.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,770 ft
Notable High Points
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Kent, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah, Albany and Brockport.
Del Water Gap
Mahwah
Albany
Brockport
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
Arriving in Kent, NY
Full guide →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 51m. Total distance: 359.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 51m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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