Rush, NY to Astoria, NY is 320 miles and takes about 6h 51m via I 81 and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, crossing from western New York towards the eastern end of the state. With just one stop recommended and a drive time under seven hours, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion. The majority of your travel will be on major interstates, making for efficient progress.
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 miles from Rush, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
New York State Thruway
30 mi
34m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Rush-Mendon Road
7.5 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 336 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,190 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,979
Quietest
1 AM
~446 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rush, NY and Astoria, NY.
1
Start on this road
102 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto NY 251
3.7 mi·6 min·Rush-Mendon Road
3
Enter roundabout onto NY 251
110 ft·2 sec·Rush-Mendon Road
4
Continue on NY 251
1.0 mi·1 min·Rush-Mendon Road
5
Continue on NY 251
2.9 mi·5 min·Rush-Mendon Road
6
Continue on NY 251
2.5 mi·4 min·Victor-Mendon Road
7
Turn left onto Phillips Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Phillips Road
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto CR 42
0.4 mi·45 sec·County Road 42
9
Turn left onto NY 96
0.5 mi·44 sec·Victor-Pittsford Road
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 90: New York State Thruway
11
Merge onto I 490
0.3 mi·23 sec·Eastern Expressway
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
13
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
16
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
17
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
19
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
21
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
22
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
23
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
24
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
25
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
26
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
27
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
28
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
29
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
30
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
31
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
33
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
35
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.
36
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.
37
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
38
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
39
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
41
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
43
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
45
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
46
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
47
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
48
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
50
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
52
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
53
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.8 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
54
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1C-DToward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany, Yankee StadiumUse the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·57 sec
Exit 1DToward I 87 South: QueensUse the slight left lane.
56
Merge onto I 87
2.8 mi·4 min·Major Deegan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
57
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward I 278 West: RFK Bridge, Manhattan, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
58
Continue on I 278
2.3 mi·4 min·Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
59
Take the exit onto I 278 Truck
98 ft·2 sec·I 278 Truck
Exit 45Toward 31st Street, Astoria BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
60
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward 31st Street, Astoria Boulevard
61
Turn right onto 29th Street
315 ft·8 sec·29th Street
Use the right lane.
62
Turn right onto Astoria Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Astoria Boulevard
Use the right lane.
63
Turn left onto 21st Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·21st Street
64
Turn right onto 30th Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·30th Avenue
65
Turn sharp right onto 12th Street
386 ft·18 sec·12th Street
66
Arrive at destination
12th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 51m estimated drive time and 320-mile distance, leaving in the morning is your best bet to complete this trip in one day. You're only looking at a $53 fuel cost, so keep your tank topped off as needed without too much concern. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. Pay attention to your navigation as you transition from the New York State Thruway onto surface roads in the final stretch towards Astoria.
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 miles from Rush, NY, or about 3h 33m 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 70 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160 miles or 3h 33m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Astoria, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rush, 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 Rush, NY
This is one driving day of about 320 miles and 6h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Rush, 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 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 47
5 decision points cluster between mile 42.9 and 312.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
42.9 mi into trip|~56m 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
193.2 mi into trip|~4h 12m 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
307.7 mi into trip|~6h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
308 mi into trip|~6h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
312.8 mi into trip|~6h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany, Yankee Stadium
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 1C-D
Toward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.53 one way
$113.06 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$61.17
$122.33
premium
$5.28
$66.47
$132.94
diesel
$6.18
$77.85
$155.69
Estimated Tolls: $17.50
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30 mi)$1.50
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
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96
1
$33.60
$15.36
Efficient EV
80
0
$28.00
$12.80
EV Truck/SUV
128
1
$44.80
$20.48
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Rush, NY
Late night
in Rush on Tuesday
Local time
3:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Areas Of Frost
SW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Astoria, NY
Late night
in Astoria on Tuesday
Local time
3:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
62°F
Barton, NY
160 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
11 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
6h 51m 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
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...
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...
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 55.2
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a 47% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of the drive on interstates. The longest continuous stretch on a major highway is 98.8 miles on I 81. Expect to transition from high-speed interstate cruising to more surface roads, especially as you approach your destination. The profile is mostly surface roads, so be prepared for more traffic signals and varied speed limits after leaving the main highways.
Only 47% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
66 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 42.9 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 47 significant decision points across 320 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 42.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 307.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,868 ft24 ft
Total Climb
2,030 ft
Total Descent
2,556 ft
Highest Point
1,868 ft
~215.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,844 ft
Notable High Points
1,868 ft at ~215.1 miles+518 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rush, NY and Astoria, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono and Milford.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 51m. Total distance: 320 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 51m 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 $17.50 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 30 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 Astoria, 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 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 42.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 307.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Harriet Tubman 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 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Astoria, NY before the return drive.
