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Trip from Queens, NY to Stillwater, 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

3h 55m

Distance

182.3 mi

293 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 43m ★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 4m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 48m

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

borough in New York City, New York, United States

Queens, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Stillwater, NY, NY

Stillwater, NY

James Mirakian

Trip Overview

Queens, NY to Stillwater, NY is 182.3 miles and takes about 3h 55m via NY 17, NJ 17, and I-787, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, beginning and ending in New York. Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward journey for those looking to cover ground efficiently. With a recommended one-day trip, you can expect to arrive with plenty of time to spare.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

91.2 miles from Queens, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NY 17 111.7 mi 2h 8m
NJ 17 14.7 mi 18m
I 787 9 mi 12m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Van Wyck Expressway 5.7 mi 7m
I 95 4.8 mi 6m
Loudon Road 4.6 mi 6m
NY 7 3.4 mi 4m
Longest stretch: NY 17 — 111.7 mi, about 2h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Queens, NY and Stillwater, 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

3.4 mi · 4 min · NY 7
36

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 52 sec
Toward US 9, NY 9R: Latham Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37

Turn left onto US 9

4.6 mi · 6 min · Loudon Road
38

Continue on US 9

0.9 mi · 1 min · Halfmoon Parkway
39

Turn right onto NY 236

2.5 mi · 4 min · NY 236
40

Continue on NY 146

2.8 mi · 4 min · State Highway 146
41

Turn straight onto US 4; NY 32

0.5 mi · 47 sec · South Central Avenue
42

Turn right onto Ellsworth Avenue

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Ellsworth Avenue
43

At end of road, turn left onto South Main Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
44

At end of road, turn right onto US 4; NY 32

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Hudson Avenue
45

Continue on US 4; NY 32

1.8 mi · 3 min · River Road
46

Continue on US 4; NY 32

0.6 mi · 1 min · Hudson Avenue
47

Arrive at destination

US 4; NY 32

Trip Plan

Since this is a manageable 1-day drive of under 4 hours, you have the flexibility to leave when you're ready. Aiming for a morning departure will allow you to reach Stillwater well before evening. Given the $30 fuel cost estimate, you should have ample range for this trip, but it's always wise to top off before leaving Queens. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 111 miles, so plan your restroom and snack breaks accordingly before embarking on that segment.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 91.2 miles from Queens, NY, or about 1h 58m 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 40 miles or 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 91.2 miles or 1h 58m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stillwater, 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 182.3 miles and 3h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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.

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

91 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New Paltz, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 91.2 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

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

Best meal stop · first break window

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Paramus, New Jersey

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 34min in 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12014871088

Visit website

Giovanna's Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ramsey, New Jersey

1.4 mi

Café Panache

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ramsey, New Jersey

1.4 mi

Best coffee break · first break window

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hackensack, New Jersey

Near the start, short detour

First break · 34min in 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12014871088

Visit website

Giovanna's Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Ramsey, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+12018255835

Visit website

Café Panache

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $50 to $10

Ramsey, New Jersey

Hours: 12–1:30 pm

+12019340030

Visit website

The Mindful Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Ramsey, New Jersey

Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm

+12016493600

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

Mi Ecuador Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Rensselaer, New York

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+15182750565

Visit website

Cafe Tropical Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12018800669

Bite Food & Coffee Co

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12015602269

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

South Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12014265898

Visit website

Saddle River Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour Expensive

Saddle River, New Jersey

Hours: 11:30 am–3 pm

+12012822300

Visit website

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12015675111

Visit website

C Squared Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12014259120

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

+19172614093

EvGateway Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Mountainville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19499452000

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Mahwah, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

1.7 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Cornwall, New York

+18455343899

Visit website

ViaLynk Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Cornwall, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15186913119

Visit website

ViaLynk Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

New Windsor, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15186913119

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Harriman, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887800062

Visit website

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Sloatsburg Service Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area I-87 (South Bound)

0 mi from route

Plattkill Service Area

0 mi from route

Malden Service Area

0.1 mi from route

Modena Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Ulster Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Modena Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Plaza 23 Truck Stop

0.2 mi from route

Rest Area

0.4 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.5 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.5 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

2 mi from route

iFLY Indoor Skydiving- Paramus

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.1 mi from route

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–8:30 pm

+12017334359

Visit website

Catch Air Paramus

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.1 mi from route

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12016202125

Visit website

Ready to Golf

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

River Edge, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+16093887728

Visit website

Shooting Zone

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 12–9 pm

+12014401329

Visit website

Bowler City

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+12013433545

Visit website

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

Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc.

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12019680808

Visit website

Claremont Park

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 3 mi from route ~7 min detour

Bronx, NY

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 31

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

$30.01 one way

$60.02 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $32.45 $64.90
premium $4.92 $35.33 $70.67
diesel $5.61 $40.25 $80.50

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

$30

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 63.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54.7 0 $19.14 $8.75
Efficient EV 45.6 0 $15.95 $7.29
EV Truck/SUV 72.9 0 $25.52 $11.67

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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

Morning in Queens on Tuesday

Local time

6:56 AM

EDT

Current temp

85°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 6 to 12 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Destination

Stillwater, NY

Morning in Stillwater on Tuesday

Local time

6:56 AM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

63°F

Ramapo, NY

91 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

43 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

3h 55m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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.

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 18.9
View on nps.gov
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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 18.9
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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 182.3
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?

This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the journey on high-speed roads. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 111.7 miles on NY 17, which will likely be your main companion for a significant portion of the trip. The transition between NY 17, NJ 17, and I-787 means you'll be navigating a mix of major arteries designed for consistent travel. It’s a profile that prioritizes getting you to your destination without many detours.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. 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 31 significant decision points across 182.3 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 Stillwater, NY, road signs point toward Manhattan, New Haven Connecticut, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South and Gsp North - among others.

Manhattan

11.7 mi in | ~20m

New Haven Connecticut

11.7 mi in | ~20m

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

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 3h 55m. Total distance: 182.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

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.

Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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 Stillwater, 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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Stillwater, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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Explore More

Explore more options from Queens, NY or browse trips ending in Stillwater, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.