Origin
Southold, NY
Night in Southold on Saturday
Local time
10:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Southold, NY to Queens, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 8m
Distance
86.4 mi
139 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 59m
★
6 AM
2h 8m
8 AM
2h 26m
10 AM
2h 14m
12 PM
2h 13m
3 PM
2h 15m
5 PM
2h 25m
8 PM
2h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Southold, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Queens, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking from Southold, NY, your journey to Queens, NY, covers 86.4 miles and is estimated to take around 2 hours and 8 minutes. This drive is best suited as a single-day trip, with a projected fuel cost of approximately $14. You'll primarily navigate via Sunrise Highway and Middle Road, with a small portion on Sound Avenue. The route profile suggests a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for frequent changes in direction rather than long stretches of highway. Given its manageable distance and duration within the Northeast region, it’s a convenient option for a day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.2 miles from Southold, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise Highway | 54.6 mi | 1h 13m |
| Middle Road | 8.9 mi | 12m |
| Sound Avenue | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| East Moriches-Riverhead Road | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| Northville Turnpike | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| Rockaway Boulevard | 3.2 mi | 7m |
| Center Drive South | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Belt Parkway | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Sunrise Highway
— 54.6 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southold, NY and Queens, NY.
1
Start on Youngs Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Youngs Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 48; Truck NY 25
8.9 mi
·
12 min
·
Middle Road
3
Continue on CR 48; Truck NY 25
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Sound Avenue
4
Turn left onto CR 43
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Northville Turnpike
5
At end of road, turn left onto CR 73
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
Roanoke Avenue
6
At end of road, turn right onto NY 25
114 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Main Street
7
Turn left onto CR 63
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Peconic Avenue
8
Turn right onto CR 94
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Nugent Drive
Use the right lane.
9
Take the exit
290 ft
·
6 sec
Toward CR 51 south: Suffolk County Offices, Criminal/Surrogate/Family Courts, Suffolk County Community College - Riverhead Campus, East Moriches
Use the left lane.
10
Merge onto CR 51
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Center Drive South
11
Continue on CR 51
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
East Moriches-Riverhead Road
12
Take the ramp
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward NY 27 West: New York
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto NY 27
55 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Sunrise Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward Belt Parkway West, Verrazano Bridge
15
Merge onto BP
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Belt Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 21A
Toward Rockaway Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto NY 27
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
North Conduit Avenue
18
Turn right onto Rockaway Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Rockaway Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto Rockaway Boulevard
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Rockaway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto 103rd Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
103rd Street
21
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
257 ft
·
11 sec
·
Liberty Avenue
22
Turn right onto 104th Street
205 ft
·
9 sec
·
104th Street
23
Arrive at destination
104th Street
Trip Plan
For this 86.4-mile drive, leaving early in the morning can help you avoid some of the local traffic that tends to build up throughout the day. Since this is a relatively short trip at just over two hours, you won't need to plan for overnight stops, giving you flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $14 estimated cost suggests it's a moderate expense for this distance. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to your GPS or map application, especially when transitioning between Sunrise Highway and Middle Road, as the 'turn-heavy' nature means there are several points where navigation is key to staying on course.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.2 miles from Southold, NY, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 19 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.2 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 45m
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 Southold, 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 Southold, NY
This is one driving day of about 86.4 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Southold, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Sunrise Highway for about 54.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.2 miles from Southold, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 185 decision points cluster between mile 18.2 and 83.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
18.2 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
CR 73 / Roanoke Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto CR 73 / Roanoke Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
18.5 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
NY 25 / East Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto NY 25 / East Main Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
8
18.7 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the exit toward CR 51 south: Suffolk County Offices, Criminal/Surrogate/Family Courts, Suffolk County Community College - Riverhead Campus, East Moriches
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward CR 51 south: Suffolk County Offices, Cri...
7
82.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward Rockaway Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21A
Toward Rockaway Boulevard
6
83.4 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
Rockaway Boulevard
Keep slight left at fork onto Rockaway Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.22 one way
$28.44 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $15.38 | $30.76 |
| premium | $4.92 | $16.75 | $33.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.08 | $38.15 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.24
Northville Turnpike
(3.4 mi)
$0.24
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
$14
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.9 | 0 | $9.07 | $4.15 |
| Efficient EV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.56 | $3.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.6 | 0 | $12.10 | $5.53 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Queens, NY
Night in Queens on Saturday
Local time
10:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°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
7 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
2h 8m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Fire Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife, Fire Island has been a special...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 41.7
Park Closure: Pet Restrictions, Beach Driving Closures in Effect March 15 through Labor Day
Caution: Avian Influenza (HPAI) Suspected in Dead Birds in Seashore Areas
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
near mile 86.4
View on nps.gov
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
near mile 86.4
View on nps.gov
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
near mile 86.4
View on nps.gov
Governors Island National Monument
National Monument
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
9 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 86.4
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument
National Monument
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 86.4
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 characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you won't be settling into a monotonous highway pace for long. With only a 5% highway share, expect to engage with a variety of local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.6 miles on Sunrise Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before the local roads and turns resume. The road's personality shifts frequently, requiring your attention as you navigate through different communities and road types on your way to Queens.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.6 mi on Sunrise Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 18.2 miles in near CR 73 / Roanoke Avenue.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 86.4 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 18.2 miles (CR 73 / Roanoke Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 18.5 miles (NY 25 / East Main Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 18.7 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 Southold, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Cr 51 South: Suffolk County Offices, Criminal/Surrogate/Family Courts, Suffolk County Community College - Riverhead Campus, Moriches and Belt Parkway West.
Cr 51 South: Suffolk County Offices
18.7 mi in
|
~31m
Criminal/Surrogate/Family Courts
18.7 mi in
|
~31m
Suffolk County Community College - Riverhead Campus
18.7 mi in
|
~31m
Moriches
18.7 mi in
|
~31m
Belt Parkway West
81 mi in
|
~1h 56m
About the Cities
Arriving 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 2h 8m. Total distance: 86.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.6 miles on Sunrise Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.24 in tolls one way, starting with Northville Turnpike. 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.2 miles (CR 73 / Roanoke Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 18.5 miles (NY 25 / East Main Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 18.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fire Island National Seashore, African Burial Ground National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Queens, NY before heading back.
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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