Traveling from Riga, NY to Queens, NY covers a distance of 372.7 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 8 minutes. Given the duration, this trip is manageable as a single-day drive if you are comfortable with a full day behind the wheel. You should expect to spend roughly $59 on fuel for the journey, so factor that into your travel budget accordingly. The route primarily utilizes Chili-Riga Center Road, the Western Expressway, and I-90 East to navigate across the Northeast. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you will want to stay alert as you transition between these different roadway types. Whether you are heading to the city for business or leisure, planning for at least one stop will help keep you fresh throughout the trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
172.7 miles from Riga, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
70.8 mi
1h 27m
New York State Thruway
57.9 mi
1h 6m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
NJ 3
10.5 mi
11m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riga, NY and Queens, NY.
1
Start on NY 36
63 ft·3 sec·Churchville-Riga Road
2
Turn right onto NY 33A
2.7 mi·4 min·Chili-Riga Center Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
4
Merge onto I 490
3.4 mi·3 min·Western Expressway
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Albany
6
Merge onto I 90
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·New York State Thruway
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
9
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
10
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
11
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
12
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
14
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
15
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
16
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
17
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
18
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
19
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
20
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
21
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
22
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
23
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
24
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
26
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
31
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
32
Merge onto I 80
71 mi·1 hr 27 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 53Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln TunnelUse the slight right lane.
34
Merge onto US 46
2.1 mi·2 min·US 46
35
Continue on US 46
1.6 mi·1 min·US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Turn slight left onto NJ 3
11 mi·11 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel, Kennedy BoulevardUse the straight / right lanes.
38
Merge onto NJ 495
1.1 mi·1 min·NJ 495
39
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Weehawken, Hoboken, Ferries to New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on South Marginal Highway
0.1 mi·10 sec·South Marginal Highway
41
Turn right onto Boulevard East
0.4 mi·1 min·Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
42
Take the ramp
123 ft·14 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York CityUse the straight / right lanes.
43
Turn right
0.2 mi·57 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel access
44
Merge onto NJ 495
1.6 mi·4 min·Lincoln Tunnel
45
Keep slight right at fork
265 ft·6 sec
Toward Dyer Avenue
46
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft·8 sec
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square Garden
47
Continue on Dyer Avenue
350 ft·19 sec·Dyer Avenue
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square GardenUse the left / straight lanes.
48
Turn left onto West 36th Street
1.3 mi·3 min·West 36th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
49
Take the ramp
68 ft·1 sec
Toward I 495: Queens-Midtown Tunnel
50
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
2.5 mi·4 min·I 495
51
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17W-EToward I 278: Staten Island, Bronx, LaGuardia AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Merge onto I 495
2.0 mi·2 min·Long Island Expressway
53
Take the exit
0.4 mi·35 sec
Exit 19Toward NY 25: Woodhaven BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
54
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward NY 25: Queens Boulevard, Woodhaven Boulevard, RockawaysUse the straight / slight left lanes.
55
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Toward Woodhaven Boulevard, RockawaysUse the straight / slight right lanes.
56
Turn right onto Woodhaven Boulevard
3.9 mi·10 min·Woodhaven Boulevard
Use the right lane.
57
Turn left onto Rockaway Boulevard
344 ft·9 sec·Rockaway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
58
Turn slight left onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
59
Turn right onto 104th Street
205 ft·9 sec·104th Street
60
Arrive at destination
104th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour and 8-minute journey, try to depart early in the morning to beat potential congestion on the local roads. Since the route is turn-heavy, keeping your eyes on the navigation is essential to avoid missing key transitions. Plan for at least one substantial stop to stretch your legs, as the lack of long highway stretches can make the drive feel more intensive than the mileage suggests. Keep your $59 fuel budget in mind when selecting service stations along the way, as local roads may offer fewer refueling opportunities than major interstates. If you find the local navigation tiring, build in extra time for a second break to ensure you arrive in Queens feeling refreshed.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 172.7 miles from Riga, NY, or about 3h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 76 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.7 miles or 3h 43m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Queens, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Riga, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Riga, NY
This is one driving day of about 345.4 miles and 7h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Riga, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 98.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 46
5 decision points cluster between mile 64.8 and 337.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
64.8 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
215.1 mi into trip|~4h 33m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
315.1 mi into trip|~6h 33m in
Take the exit toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 53
Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunn...
8
331.8 mi into trip|~6h 54m in
Take the ramp toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York City
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York City
8
337.6 mi into trip|~7h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 278: Staten Island, Bronx, LaGuardia Airport
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 17W-E
Toward I 278: Staten Island, Bronx, LaGuardia A...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.86 one way
$113.71 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$61.48
$122.96
premium
$4.92
$66.95
$133.89
diesel
$5.61
$76.26
$152.52
Estimated Tolls: $18.89
Lincoln Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(57.9 mi)$2.89
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
$57
Tolls
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$101–$126
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.6
1
$36.27
$16.58
Efficient EV
86.4
0
$30.22
$13.82
EV Truck/SUV
138.2
1
$48.36
$22.11
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Riga, NY
Late night
in Riga on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Queens, NY
Late night
in Queens on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
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
10 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
7h 26m 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.
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...
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 333.5
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 333.5
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
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 333.5
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 333.5
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 333.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than a standard interstate cruise, as this route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive. You will navigate a variety of road types, starting with local stretches on Chili-Riga Center Road before transitioning to the Western Expressway and I-90 East. Since the highway share is 0%, your focus will be primarily on local maneuvering rather than high-speed cruising. There is no long, monotonous stretch of highway here; in fact, the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on Chili-Riga Center Road. This creates a more technical driving environment that requires your full attention from start to finish.
Only 49% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
60 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 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 64.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 46 significant decision points across 345.4 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 64.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 215.1 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 315.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,771 ft36 ft
Total Climb
1,927 ft
Total Descent
2,529 ft
Highest Point
1,771 ft
~222.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,735 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Riga, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford and Clifton.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 26m. Total distance: 345.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 26m 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 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $18.89 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 Queens, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 64.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 215.1 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 315.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Stonewall National Monument and African Burial Ground National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Queens, NY before the return drive.
