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Trip from Queens, NY to Saranac Lake, 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 23m

Distance

304.1 mi

489 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 11m ★
6 AM
6h 23m
8 AM
6h 48m
10 AM
6h 32m
12 PM
6h 30m
3 PM
6h 33m
5 PM
6h 47m
8 PM
6h 16m

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

village in New York, United States

Saranac Lake, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 304.1-mile journey from Queens, NY, to Saranac Lake, NY, is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 6 hours and 23 minutes of driving time. The route largely utilizes major highways, with 60% of the drive on interstates, making it a relatively straightforward trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $50, it's an accessible drive for many. The experience is a mixed drive, transitioning from urban outskirts to more rural landscapes as you head north into the Northeast region. While doable in one day, consider an early start to maximize your time upon arrival.

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

152.1 miles from Queens, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NY 17 111.7 mi 2h 8m
Adirondack Northway 97.7 mi 1h 53m
State Highway 73 18.7 mi 27m
NJ 17 14.7 mi 18m
I 787 9 mi 12m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Van Wyck Expressway 5.7 mi 7m
Cascade Road 5.3 mi 7m
Longest stretch: NY 17 — 111.7 mi, about 2h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 104th Street

300 ft · 18 sec · 104th Street
2

Turn left onto 107th Avenue

266 ft · 16 sec · 107th Avenue
3

Turn left onto 105th Street

0.1 mi · 28 sec · 105th Street
4

Turn right onto Liberty Avenue

1.5 mi · 4 min · Liberty Avenue
5

Turn left onto Van Wyck Expressway East

77 ft · 1 sec · Van Wyck Expressway East
Use the left / straight lanes.
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway, Whitestone Bridge, Bronx
7

Merge onto I 678

5.7 mi · 7 min · Van Wyck Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 678

2.0 mi · 2 min · Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 678

1.3 mi · 1 min · Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
10

Continue on I 678

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hutchinson River Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 19S-W; 19N Toward I 95 South, I 278 West, I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Manhattan, New Haven Connecticut Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 50 sec
Exit 19S-W Toward I 95 South, I 278 West: George Washington Bridge, Manhattan Use the slight left lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 95 South
14

Merge onto I 95

4.8 mi · 6 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
16

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.6 mi · 59 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
17

Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

0.5 mi · 48 sec · I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

0.6 mi · 39 sec · I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 95 EXPR; NJTP
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 72A Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
22

Merge onto NJ 4

6.7 mi · 9 min · NJ 4
Use the slight right lane.
23

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, Mahwah Use the straight lane.
24

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Merge onto NJ 17

3.3 mi · 4 min · NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Continue on NJ 17

7.3 mi · 9 min · NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
27

Continue on NJ 17

0.7 mi · 50 sec · NJ 17
28

Continue on NJ 17

3.3 mi · 4 min · NJ 17
29

Continue on I 287; NY 17

0.2 mi · 10 sec · I 287; NY 17
30

Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17

112 mi · 2 hr 8 min · NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 50 sec
Exit 23 Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy Use the slight right lane.
32

Continue on I 787

9.0 mi · 12 min · I 787
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33

Keep slight left at fork onto NY 787

0.4 mi · 29 sec · NY 787
34

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 50 sec
Exit 9W Toward NY 7 West: Schenectady, Saratoga Springs Use the right lane.
35

Merge onto NY 7

3.1 mi · 3 min · NY 7
36

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 87 North: Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls
37

Merge onto I 87

98 mi · 1 hr 53 min · Adirondack Northway
38

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 31 sec
Exit 30 Toward US 9, NY 73: Keene, Keene Valley
39

Turn left onto US 9

2.2 mi · 2 min · US Highway 9
40

Keep slight left at fork onto NY 73

11 mi · 16 min · State Highway 73
41

Continue on NY 9N; NY 73

1.8 mi · 3 min · State Highway 9N
42

Keep slight left at fork onto NY 73

7.2 mi · 10 min · State Highway 73
43

Continue on NY 73

5.3 mi · 7 min · Cascade Road
44

Turn slight left onto CR 35

3.6 mi · 6 min · Old Military Road
45

At end of road, turn left onto NY 86

4.9 mi · 7 min · Saranac-Placid Road
46

Continue on NY 86

1.2 mi · 3 min · Lake Flower Avenue
47

At end of road, turn left onto NY 86

0.3 mi · 42 sec · River Street
48

Turn right onto NY 3; NY 86

0.4 mi · 42 sec · Church Street
49

Arrive at destination

NY 3; NY 86

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour 23-minute duration, an early morning departure from Queens is recommended to ensure you reach Saranac Lake with ample daylight. You'll encounter one primary stretch of 111.7 miles on NY 17, so plan a break before or after this segment to stretch your legs. The estimated fuel cost is $50, so ensure your tank is full before leaving the city. Keep an eye on road conditions, especially as you transition onto State Highway 73, as this area can be subject to weather changes depending on the season. This is a comfortable one-day drive, so the flexibility to stop as needed is a key advantage.

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 152.1 miles from Queens, NY, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.7 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 67 miles or 1h 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 152.1 miles or 3h 8m 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 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saranac Lake, 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 304.1 miles and 6h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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 NY 17 for about 111.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Albany, NY

152 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 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Albany, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 152.1 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 NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.7 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 34

5 decision points cluster between mile 11.7 and 27.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
11.7 mi into trip | ~20m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South, I 278 West, I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Manhattan, New Haven Connecticut

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 19S-W; 19N Toward I 95 South, I 278 West, I 95 North: Geor...
10
11.9 mi into trip | ~20m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, I 278 West: George Washington Bridge, Manhattan

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 19S-W Toward I 95 South, I 278 West: George Washingto...
8
19.8 mi into trip | ~31m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

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. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
9
20 mi into trip | ~32m in

Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 72A Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
8
27.1 mi into trip | ~42m in

Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$50.06 one way

$100.11 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 106 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $54.13 $108.25
premium $4.92 $58.94 $117.88
diesel $5.61 $67.14 $134.28

Estimated Tolls: $22.55

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Whitestone Bridge $6.55

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

$50

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$98–$123

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 106.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 91.2 1 $31.93 $14.60
Efficient EV 76 0 $26.61 $12.16
EV Truck/SUV 121.6 1 $42.57 $19.46

Gas CO2

106 kg

EV CO2

36 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 14, 2026

Origin

Queens, NY

Late night in Queens on Sunday

Local time

12:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Sunny

S 13 mph 7% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 4:26PM EDT by NWS Albany NY

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 2:52PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY

Destination

Saranac Lake, NY

Late night in Saranac Lake on Sunday

Local time

12:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

34°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

46 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 23m 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.

General Grant National Memorial

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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 21
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
View on nps.gov
Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

National Memorial

Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 21
View on nps.gov
Saratoga National Historical Park

Saratoga National Historical Park

National Historical Park

In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...

8 mi from route ~20 min detour Free near mile 188.8
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...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour Free
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...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour Free
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 mixed drive on this route, which begins with a significant portion on NY 17, covering 111.7 miles without interruption. As you progress, the Adirondack Northway and State Highway 73 will guide you further north. While 60% of the journey involves highway driving, offering consistent speeds, the latter half may present more varied road conditions as you approach the Adirondack region. This blend means you'll experience both efficient travel and potentially more scenic, winding sections as you near your destination.

60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
49 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.7 mi on NY 17.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.7 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 34 significant decision points across 304.1 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 11.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Saranac Lake, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark and Mahwah - among others.

Upper Level

17.3 mi in | ~28m | via I 95; US 1

Njtp South: Hackensack

19.8 mi in | ~31m

Gsp South

26.9 mi in | ~41m

Gsp North

26.9 mi in | ~41m

Newark

26.9 mi in | ~41m

Mahwah

26.9 mi in | ~41m

New York State Thruway North: Albany

42.1 mi in | ~1h 1m | via NY 17

Troy

153.9 mi in | ~3h 10m

Saratoga Springs

163.5 mi in | ~3h 24m

Glens Falls

166.8 mi in | ~3h 28m

Keene Valley

265.4 mi in | ~5h 23m

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 23m. Total distance: 304.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 111.7 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $22.55 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. 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 Saranac Lake, 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 11.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Saratoga National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saranac Lake, 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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