Origin
Queens, NY
Morning in Queens on Tuesday
Local time
6:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Queens, NY to Utica, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h
Distance
247.3 mi
398 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 47m
★
6 AM
5h 1m
8 AM
5h 28m
10 AM
5h 10m
12 PM
5h 8m
3 PM
5h 12m
5 PM
5h 27m
8 PM
4h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Queens, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Utica, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Queens, NY to Utica, NY is 247.3 miles and takes about 5h via NY 17 and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, taking you from the bustling Northeast region into its upstate interior. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on major roadways, making it a practical choice for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on the highway, so expect relatively consistent travel times. Consider this route if you need an efficient way to get from the New York City metro area to Central New York without much fuss.
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
123.7 miles from Queens, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 117.5 mi | 2h 15m |
| New York State Thruway | 85.1 mi | 1h 38m |
| NJ 17 | 14.7 mi | 18m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Van Wyck Expressway | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| I 95 | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| Whitestone Expressway | 2 mi | 2m |
| Liberty Avenue | 1.5 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 117.5 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Queens, NY and Utica, 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
118 mi
·
2 hr 15 min
·
NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
85 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
New York State Thruway
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
32
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 790, NY 8, NY 12: Utica
Use the slight right lane.
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
34
Keep slight right at fork
159 ft
·
3 sec
35
Turn slight right onto North Genesee Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Genesee Street
36
Continue on Genesee Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Genesee Street
37
Turn right onto Washington Lane
63 ft
·
2 sec
·
Washington Lane
38
Arrive at destination
Washington Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, leaving Queens in the morning, perhaps around 9 or 10 AM, should get you to Utica with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in timing your break. The longest stretch without a major change is 117.5 miles on NY 17, so plan your fuel and restroom needs before starting that segment. The fuel cost is estimated at $41, so ensure you have enough to cover that. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you can easily adjust your departure time based on traffic conditions leaving the city.
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 123.7 miles from Queens, NY, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.5 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 54 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.7 miles or 2h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Utica, 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 247.3 miles and 5h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 117.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 123.7 miles from Queens, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 117.5 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 265 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
$40.71 one way
$81.41 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $44.02 | $88.03 |
| premium | $4.92 | $47.93 | $95.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.60 | $109.20 |
Estimated Tolls: $26.80
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Whitestone Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(85.1 mi)
$4.25
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
$41
Tolls
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.2 | 0 | $25.97 | $11.87 |
| Efficient EV | 61.8 | 0 | $21.64 | $9.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98.9 | 1 | $34.62 | $15.83 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Utica, NY
Morning in Utica on Tuesday
Local time
6:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
14 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 62% of the drive on major roads. You'll have a stretch of 117.5 miles on NY 17 before transitioning to other routes. Expect a high number of exits and merges as you navigate through different sections of the highway system. The latter part of the drive will shift to surface roads as you approach your destination.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.5 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and New York State Thruway. 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 26 significant decision points across 247.3 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.
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 Utica, 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
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 Utica, NY
Full guide →Founded 1734
Utica is the heart of the Mohawk Valley and the seat of Oneida County in Central New York State. Utica offers the charm of small-city living balanced with the cultural and ethnic diversity of an international urban center. At the foot of the Adirondack Mountains, Utica is a truly scenic city that offers the pleasures of both a rural and urban setting.
Top landmarks
- • Utica Memorial Auditorium — multi-purpose arena
- • Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute — arts center in Utica, New York
- • Union Station — railway station in Utica, New York, United States
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 5h. Total distance: 247.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 117.5 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $26.80 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 Utica, 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Utica, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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