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Trip from Queens, NY to Penfield, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 59m

Distance

321.1 mi

517 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
6h 48m ★
6 AM
6h 59m
8 AM
7h 22m
10 AM
7h 7m
12 PM
7h 5m
3 PM
7h 8m
5 PM
7h 21m
8 PM
6h 52m

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

Downtown Penfield, NY, NY

Penfield, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

Queens, NY to Penfield, NY is 321.1 miles and takes about 6h 59m via I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway, and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the bustling Northeast region to a similar, yet distinct, area. Expect a route with a good number of turns, suggesting a drive that weaves through varied landscapes rather than a straight shot. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a manageable journey for most vehicles, offering a chance to see more of upstate New York.

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

160.6 miles from Queens, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 26m 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
US 46 10.8 mi 12m
Clinton Street 10.5 mi 15m
NJ 3 10.2 mi 12m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 97.3 mi, about 1h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Queens, NY and Penfield, 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 Tunnel Use 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 17W Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan Use 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 Street Use 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 Tunnel Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 29 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: Secaucus Use the slight right lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork

453 ft · 7 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton Use 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, Mahwah Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap Use 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

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway
26

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec
Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton
27

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380
Use the straight lane.
28

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81
Use the straight lane.
29

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
30

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

37 mi · 43 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
31

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Exit 52 Toward NY 13: Cortland
32

Turn right onto NY 13

39 ft · 5 sec · Clinton Avenue
33

Turn left onto Locust Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · Locust Avenue
34

Continue on Albany Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Albany Street
35

At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
36

Turn left onto NY 41

10 mi · 15 min · Clinton Street
37

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road
38

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
39

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road
40

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 48 sec · East Lake Street
41

Turn left onto US 20

7.3 mi · 13 min · East Genesee Street
42

Turn right onto US 20

0.2 mi · 12 sec · North Fulton Street
43

Turn left onto US 20; NY 5

0.4 mi · 1 min · Arterial West
44

Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38

9.8 mi · 11 min · Chase Street
Use the left lane.
45

Continue on US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
46

Turn right onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318
47

Continue on NY 318

319 ft · 10 sec · NY 318
Use the right lane.
48

Turn right onto NY 414

0.3 mi · 28 sec · State Route 414
Use the right lane.
49

Continue on NY 414

217 ft · 11 sec · Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
50

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Use the left lane.
51

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo Use the straight / right lanes.
52

Merge onto I 90

30 mi · 34 min · New York State Thruway
53

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Exit 45 Toward I 490: Rochester Use the slight right lane.
54

Continue on I 490

7.6 mi · 8 min · Eastern Expressway
55

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 25 Toward NY 31F: Fairport, East Rochester Use the straight / slight right lanes.
56

Keep slight right at fork

199 ft · 4 sec
Toward NY 31F East: Fairport
57

Turn straight onto NY 31F

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Fairport Road
58

Turn left onto NY 153

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Washington Street
59

Turn right onto CR 15

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Linden Avenue
Use the right lane.
60

At end of road, turn left onto CR 17

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Whitney Road
61

Continue on CR 18

0.5 mi · 1 min · Five Mile Line Road
62

Turn right onto NY 441

121 ft · 2 sec · Penfield Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
63

Arrive at destination

NY 441

Trip Plan

Given the 6 hour 59 minute estimated drive time, starting in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight hours. You'll have one recommended stop, so plan it strategically along the 321.1-mile route, perhaps around the halfway point or after the longest stretch on I 81. The fuel cost is estimated at $53, so ensure your tank is full before departing Queens. Keep an eye on your navigation system, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route means frequent adjustments will be part of the experience.

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 160.6 miles from Queens, NY, or about 3h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.3 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 71 miles or 1h 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 160.6 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 44m

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

Day 1

Settle into the route from Queens, NY

This is one driving day of about 321.1 miles and 6h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Queens, 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 97.3 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

161 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 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Endwell, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 160.6 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 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Triplets Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 91.7

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+15704216566

Visit website

Kantu Peruvian Cuisine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Forest Hills, New York

2.1 mi

Fiorentini Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rutherford, New Jersey

2.2 mi

Triplets Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 91.7

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+15704216566

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, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 22.9

Rutherford, New Jersey

Hours: 5–9:30 pm

+19737213404

Visit website

Hapgoods Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 45.9

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19732993399

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

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 22.9

Montclair, New Jersey

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

+19733586543

Visit website

C Squared Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22.9

Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12014259120

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 45.9

Rockaway, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 183.5

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Flying J EV Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 160.6

New Milford, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15704652974

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 160.6

New Milford, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15704652974

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 45.9

Denville, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 298.2

Shortsville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 298.2

Clifton Springs, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 45.9

Denville, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Channing H. Philbrick Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 321.1

Penfield, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+15853408655

Visit website

CNY Living History Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 229.4

Cortland, New York

Hours: Closed

+16072994185

Visit website

Jack's Place

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 321.1

Penfield, New York

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

Highland Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Brooklyn, New York

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

Mid-Lakes Navigation

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 252.3

Skaneateles, New York

Hours: Closed

+13156858500

Visit website

Catch Air Hasbrouck

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 22.9

Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12017132156

Visit website

Posh Princess Palace

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 22.9

Lodi, New Jersey

Hours: 1–7 pm

+18628997674

Visit website

Canarsie Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour

Brooklyn, NY

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 48

5 decision points cluster between mile 6.6 and 318.3 — 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
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
8
318.3 mi into trip | ~6h 52m in

Take the exit toward NY 31F: Fairport, East Rochester

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 25 Toward NY 31F: Fairport, East Rochester

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$52.86 one way

$105.71 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 112 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $57.15 $114.31
premium $4.92 $62.24 $124.47
diesel $5.61 $70.89 $141.79

Estimated Tolls: $17.52

Lincoln Tunnel $16.00
New York State Thruway (30.3 mi) $1.52

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

$53

Tolls

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$95–$120

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 112.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 96.3 1 $33.72 $15.41
Efficient EV 80.3 0 $28.10 $12.84
EV Truck/SUV 128.4 1 $44.95 $20.55

Gas CO2

112 kg

EV CO2

38 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 18, 2026

Origin

Queens, NY

Late night in Queens on Sunday

Local time

12:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Mostly Cloudy

NE 6 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT

Destination

Penfield, NY

Late night in Penfield on Sunday

Local time

12:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°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

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

6h 59m 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

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 11.1
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 11.1
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

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...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 11.1
View on nps.gov
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 265.7
View on nps.gov
Women's Rights National Historical Park

Women's Rights National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 276.8
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

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...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 11.1
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This drive presents a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll encounter more varied road types than a pure interstate journey. While 53% of this route utilizes highways like the New York State Thruway, you'll also navigate local roads and highways that contribute to its dynamic feel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 97.3 miles on I 81, providing a period of more consistent speed before you transition back to more varied driving. Be prepared for a mix of faster highway segments and more intricate local road navigation throughout the 321.1 miles.

Only 53% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
63 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.3 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 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 48 significant decision points across 321.1 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 Penfield, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Albany.

Del Water Gap

37.3 mi in | ~59m

Mahwah

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

Albany

187.8 mi in | ~3h 59m | via I 81

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 6h 59m. Total distance: 321.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 59m 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 97.3 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $17.52 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 Penfield, 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 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.

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 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Penfield, 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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