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Trip from Sterling, NY to Astoria, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 6m

Distance

294.5 mi

474 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 53m ★
6 AM
6h 6m
8 AM
6h 32m
10 AM
6h 15m
12 PM
6h 13m
3 PM
6h 16m
5 PM
6h 31m
8 PM
5h 58m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in Cayuga County, New York, United States

Sterling, NY

Wikimedia Commons

neighborhood in Queens, New York City, United States

Astoria, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 297.4-mile journey from Sterling, NY, to Astoria, NY, will take approximately 5 hours and 8 minutes of driving time. It's a manageable one-day trip, perfect for getting to your destination without needing an overnight stop. The estimated fuel cost is around $48, making it an economical choice. You'll primarily navigate local roads, including Highway 104A, West 1st Street South, and State Route 48, so expect a more turn-heavy experience. This drive stays within the Northeast region, offering a consistent feel as you travel from upstate to the city.

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

147.3 miles from Sterling, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 128.7 mi 2h 32m
Keystone Shortway 80 mi 1h 37m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
NY 3 11.4 mi 17m
State Route 48 8.7 mi 13m
I 690 8.7 mi 10m
NY 690 7 mi 7m
Christopher Columbus Highway 5.5 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 128.7 mi, about 2h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sterling, NY and Astoria, NY.

1

Start on NY 104A

0.9 mi · 1 min · State Highway 104A
2

Turn right onto NY 3

11 mi · 17 min · NY 3
3

Turn right onto NY 48

1.3 mi · 1 min · West 1st Street South
4

Continue on NY 48

8.7 mi · 13 min · State Route 48
5

Continue on NY 690

7.0 mi · 7 min · NY 690
6

Continue on I 690

8.7 mi · 10 min · I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 81

2.8 mi · 4 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I-81

0.8 mi · 48 sec · I-81
10

Continue on I 81

73 mi · 1 hr 25 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 6
Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 84; I 380

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford Use the straight lane.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
15

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
16

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 5 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level Use the slight right lane.
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.
20

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue
22

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
23

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
24

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
25

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
27

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
29

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.8 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
31

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 1C-D Toward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany, Yankee Stadium Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 57 sec
Exit 1D Toward I 87 South: Queens Use the slight left lane.
33

Merge onto I 87

2.8 mi · 4 min · Major Deegan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 50 sec
Toward I 278 West: RFK Bridge, Manhattan, Queens Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35

Continue on I 278

2.3 mi · 4 min · Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Take the exit onto I 278 Truck

98 ft · 2 sec · I 278 Truck
Exit 45 Toward 31st Street, Astoria Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
37

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward 31st Street, Astoria Boulevard
38

Turn right onto 29th Street

315 ft · 8 sec · 29th Street
Use the right lane.
39

Turn right onto Astoria Boulevard

0.4 mi · 1 min · Astoria Boulevard
Use the right lane.
40

Turn left onto 21st Street

0.2 mi · 27 sec · 21st Street
41

Turn right onto 30th Avenue

0.2 mi · 40 sec · 30th Avenue
42

Turn sharp right onto 12th Street

386 ft · 18 sec · 12th Street
43

Arrive at destination

12th Street

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour, 297.4-mile drive, starting early is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Astoria. Since it's a one-day trip, you can afford to be flexible with stops, but planning for at least one break will be wise. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local road driving can sometimes be less predictable for finding services than major highways. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to the changing speed limits as you pass through various towns along Highway 104A and State Route 48.

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 147.3 miles from Sterling, NY, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.7 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 65 miles or 1h 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 147.3 miles or 3h 3m 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 54m

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 Sterling, 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 Sterling, NY

This is one driving day of about 294.5 miles and 6h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Sterling, 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 128.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Port Jervis, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Port Jervis, NY

147 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

Cortland, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Binghamton, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 147.3 miles from Sterling, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 128.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Aliada

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Astoria, New York

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $30 to $50 mile 294.5

Hours: 12–10 pm

+17189322240

Visit website

Il Miglio Brick Oven Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Queens, New York

0.9 mi

THEP Thai Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

1.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Artpresso Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Long Island City, New York

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 294.5

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+19178327021

Visit website

Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Long Island City, New York

2.3 mi

51st Bakery & Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Long Island City, New York

2.4 mi

Aliada

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $30 to $50 mile 294.5

Astoria, New York

Hours: 12–10 pm

+17189322240

Visit website

Il Miglio Brick Oven Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 294.5

Queens, New York

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+17187777676

Visit website

THEP Thai Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 294.5

New York, New York

Hours: 11:30 am–3:30 pm

+12128999995

Visit website

Paola's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $50 to $10 mile 294.5

New York, New York

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12127941890

Visit website

Triplets Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 210.4

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+15704216566

Visit website

Café Boulud at Maison BARNES

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $100 or ab mile 294.5

New York, New York

Hours: 12–2:30 pm

+12127722600

Visit website

OBAO | Midtown Thai & Vietnamese Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 294.5

New York, New York

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+12123085588

Visit website

Central Park Boathouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Expensive mile 294.5

New York, NY

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17189739339

Visit website

Artpresso Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 294.5

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+19178327021

Visit website

Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 294.5

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+19178326726

Visit website

51st Bakery & Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 294.5

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+17187070554

Visit website

Cafe Amrita

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 294.5

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+12122220683

Visit website

Aleef Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 294.5

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12125642723

Rosamond Gifford Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 42.1

Syracuse, New York

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+13154358511

Visit website

Le Cafe Coffee

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 294.5

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12123651060

Visit website

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 294.5

New York, New York

+19172614093

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 252.5

Rockaway, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 252.5

Denville, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charge Point

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 294.5

New York, New York

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 105.2

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 168.3

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 294.5

New York, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 168.3

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 252.5

Denville, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Triborough Bridge Playground B

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 294.5

Astoria, New York

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

The Art Farm

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 294.5

New York, New York

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12124103117

Visit website

Hell Gate Bridge

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 294.5

New York, New York

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 294.5

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12125357710

Visit website

Ancient Playground

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 294.5

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

Conservatory Garden

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 294.5

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

Bounce N Play

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 294.5

Astoria, New York

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+17187777529

Visit website

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 294.5

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+12128498400

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 30

5 decision points cluster between mile 167.7 and 287.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
167.7 mi into trip | ~3h 27m 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
282.3 mi into trip | ~5h 43m 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
282.6 mi into trip | ~5h 43m 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
287.4 mi into trip | ~5h 52m 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,...
8
287.6 mi into trip | ~5h 52m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 87 South: Queens

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 1D Toward I 87 South: Queens

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.48 one way

$96.95 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 103 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $52.42 $104.84
premium $4.92 $57.08 $114.16
diesel $5.61 $65.02 $130.04

Estimated Tolls: $16.00

George Washington Bridge $16.00

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

$48

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$89–$114

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 103 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 88.4 1 $30.92 $14.14
Efficient EV 73.6 0 $25.77 $11.78
EV Truck/SUV 117.8 1 $41.23 $18.85

Gas CO2

103 kg

EV CO2

34 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

Sterling, NY

Late night in Sterling on Sunday

Local time

12:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Astoria, NY

Late night in Astoria on Sunday

Local time

12:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°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

13 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 6m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive as you make your way across New York. With a 0% highway share, this route emphasizes local roads, meaning you'll be navigating through towns and making frequent turns. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests a pace that's more about engaging with the local landscape than covering long distances at high speed. This isn't a highway cruise; it's a drive where you'll be more connected to the road and its surroundings.

68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.7 mi on I 81.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 167.7 miles in near US 6.

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 30 significant decision points across 294.5 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 167.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Sterling, NY and Astoria, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.

Mt Pocono

167.7 mi in | ~3h 27m | via US 6

Milford

168.5 mi in | ~3h 28m | via I 84; I 380

About the Cities

Arriving in Astoria, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1659

Top landmarks

  • • Museum of the Moving Image — museum and archive in 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 6h 6m. Total distance: 294.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 6m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 128.7 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $16.00 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 167.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 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.

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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