Traveling from Summit to Queens covers 186.3 miles of New York scenery, typically taking about 3 hours and 31 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is relatively short, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $29 for fuel to complete the transit between these two Northeast locations. While the route is direct, the nature of the drive is quite local, so expect a different pace than a standard interstate commute. It is a straightforward trip that moves you from the quieter expanses of upstate New York into the dense urban environment of Queens.
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
89.9 miles from Summit, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
70.5 mi
1h 21m
State Highway 145
35 mi
50m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
State Highway 32
9.2 mi
13m
King's Highway
6.8 mi
9m
I 88
6.7 mi
7m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
State Highway 10
4.9 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 70.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Summit, NY and Queens, NY.
1
Start on CR 6
67 ft·5 sec·Charlotte Valley Road
2
Turn left onto NY 10
3.3 mi·5 min·State Highway 10
3
Continue on NY 10
485 ft·9 sec·Summit Street
4
Continue on NY 10
1.6 mi·2 min·State Highway 10
5
Take the ramp
378 ft·9 sec
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
7
Merge onto I 88
6.7 mi·7 min·I 88
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 22Toward NY 7, NY 145: Cobleskill, Middleburgh
9
Turn right onto NY 145
7.4 mi·10 min·State Highway 145
10
At end of road, turn left onto NY 30; NY 145
291 ft·8 sec·State Highway 30
11
Continue on NY 30; NY 145
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
12
Continue on NY 145
28 mi·40 min·State Highway 145
13
Turn straight onto NY 23
1.5 mi·2 min·State Highway 23
14
Turn right onto NY 32
9.2 mi·13 min·State Highway 32
15
Continue on NY 32
6.8 mi·9 min·King's Highway
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
17
Merge onto I 87
71 mi·1 hr 21 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
20
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
23
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
24
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
26
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
28
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
30
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi·5 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 6AToward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Expressway
33
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi·2 min·Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
34
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi·3 min·Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 678
4.3 mi·6 min·Van Wyck Expressway
Toward I 678 South: Kennedy AirportUse the slight left lane.
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 6Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic AvenueUse the right lane.
37
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica AvenueUse the slight right lane.
38
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi·2 min·Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
1.5 mi·4 min·Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Turn left onto 104th Street
205 ft·9 sec·104th Street
41
Arrive at destination
104th Street
Trip Plan
Since this 3.5-hour trek involves zero highway miles, you should plan your departure to avoid peak local traffic hours to keep your travel time consistent. Given that there are no scheduled stops in the data, pack plenty of water and snacks to keep you fueled for the duration of the drive. The $29 fuel estimate is a baseline, so verify your vehicle's efficiency before heading out to ensure you have enough range for the non-highway terrain. Flexibility is your best asset on this trip, as the local road network allows you to adjust your pace if you encounter congestion. Keep a close eye on your navigation system, as the high frequency of turns makes missing a transition easy.
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 89.9 miles from Summit, NY, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.5 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 40 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.9 miles or 2h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
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 Summit, 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 Summit, NY
This is one driving day of about 179.7 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Summit, 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 New York State Thruway for about 70.5 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 137 and 177.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
137 mi into trip|~2h 58m in|NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
138.4 mi into trip|~3h in|NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
167.2 mi into trip|~3h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens
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 6A
Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens
8
176.8 mi into trip|~3h 56m in
Take the exit toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 6
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlanti...
9
177.1 mi into trip|~3h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.58 one way
$59.16 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$31.99
$63.97
premium
$4.92
$34.83
$69.66
diesel
$5.61
$39.68
$79.35
Estimated Tolls: $26.08
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Whitestone Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(70.5 mi)$3.53
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
$30
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.9
0
$18.87
$8.63
Efficient EV
44.9
0
$15.72
$7.19
EV Truck/SUV
71.9
0
$25.16
$11.50
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Summit, NY
Late night
in Summit on Sunday
Local time
3:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Queens, NY
Late night
in Queens on Sunday
Local time
3:28 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
49°F
Ramapo, NY
90 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
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
4h 3m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 161.1
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 161.1
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 179.7
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 179.7
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 179.7
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 179.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route avoids highway travel entirely, meaning your concentration will be tested by frequent turns rather than long, straight stretches. Since the highway share is 0%, you will be navigating local roads for the duration of the 186.3-mile distance. The experience is best described as technical, requiring you to remain engaged with the road conditions as you transition through various local settings. Be prepared for a driving experience that favors slow-paced navigation over high-speed cruising.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.5 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 137 miles in near NY 17.
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 25 significant decision points across 179.7 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 137 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.4 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.2 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
2,117 ft16 ft
Total Climb
727 ft
Total Descent
2,808 ft
Highest Point
2,117 ft
Elevation Range
2,101 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Summit, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Middleburgh, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
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 4h 3m. Total distance: 179.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.5 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $26.08 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 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 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 137 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.4 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and African Burial Ground National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Queens, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
