This 234.4-mile drive from Whitehall, NY, to Queens, NY, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in under 5 hours, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. The route primarily utilizes major highways, including I-87 (the Adirondack Northway) and NJ 17, with about 71% of the drive on highways. You can expect a fuel cost of around $39 for this trip. Given its efficient nature and manageable duration, this route is ideal if you're looking to get from the Northeast region of New York to the Northeast region of New York with minimal fuss.
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
117.2 miles from Whitehall, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 87
118.6 mi
2h 17m
Adirondack Northway
49 mi
58m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
Anne Street
11.7 mi
17m
US Route 4
9.6 mi
13m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
4.4 mi
5m
Van Wyck Expressway
4.3 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 87
— 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Traffic on I-87
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 50 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,467 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,399
Quietest
1 AM
~114 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 79 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 Whitehall, NY and Queens, NY.
1
Start on Saunders Street
85 ft·7 sec·Saunders Street
2
Turn right onto NY 22
1.1 mi·2 min·Broadway
3
Continue on US 4; NY 22
9.6 mi·13 min·US Route 4
4
Continue on US 4
0.1 mi·11 sec·Whitehall Road
5
Continue on US 4
0.2 mi·28 sec·George Street
6
Turn right onto NY 149
12 mi·17 min·Anne Street
7
Turn left onto US 9; NY 149
0.7 mi·1 min·State Route 9
8
Turn right onto NY 149; CR 23
0.2 mi·21 sec·Gurney Lane
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 87 South
10
Merge onto I 87
49 mi·58 min·Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
0.3 mi·31 sec·I 87
Exit 1E-WToward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, BuffaloUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on I 87
0.5 mi·51 sec·I 87
Exit 1WToward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 87
Toward I 87 South: New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
19
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
24
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
26
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi·5 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 6AToward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Expressway
29
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi·2 min·Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
30
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi·3 min·Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
31
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.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 6Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic AvenueUse the right lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica AvenueUse the slight right lane.
34
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi·2 min·Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
1.5 mi·4 min·Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Turn left onto 104th Street
205 ft·9 sec·104th Street
37
Arrive at destination
104th Street
Trip Plan
For this 234.4-mile journey, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Queens. With a total duration of under 5 hours and only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a major exit is quite substantial at 118.6 miles on I-87. Planning for a refueling stop before or during this long segment will ensure a smoother drive. The estimated fuel cost is $39, so budget accordingly.
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 117.2 miles from Whitehall, NY, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 52 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.2 miles or 2h 27m 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 54m
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 Whitehall, 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 Whitehall, NY
This is one driving day of about 234.4 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Whitehall, 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 87 for about 118.6 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 73.2 and 231.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
73.2 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1E-W
Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
9
191.7 mi into trip|~3h 53m 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
193.1 mi into trip|~3h 55m 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
222 mi into trip|~4h 35m 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
9
231.8 mi into trip|~4h 51m 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
$41.03 one way
$82.06 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$44.46
$88.92
premium
$5.23
$48.26
$96.53
diesel
$6.28
$57.92
$115.83
Estimated Tolls: $22.55
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Whitestone Bridge
$6.55
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
$41
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.3
0
$24.61
$11.25
Efficient EV
58.6
0
$20.51
$9.38
EV Truck/SUV
93.8
1
$32.82
$15.00
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Whitehall, NY
Late night
in Whitehall on Friday
Local time
12:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Queens, NY
Late night
in Queens on Friday
Local time
12:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Sunny
NE 7 to 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 58m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 224.2
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 224.2
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 49.8
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 240.8
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 240.8
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 240.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 4-hour and 58-minute trip. You'll spend a good portion of your time on I-87, which offers a consistent, high-speed cruising experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 118.6 miles on I-87, so be prepared for extended periods of highway driving. While the profile is predominantly highway, the transition onto NJ 17 will bring you closer to your destination in Queens, offering a different, though still highway-oriented, segment of the drive.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.6 mi on I 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 87 and Adirondack Northway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 73.2 miles in near I 87.
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 234.4 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 73.2 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.1 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
518 ft36 ft
Total Climb
980 ft
Total Descent
1,090 ft
Highest Point
518 ft
~150.7 mi in
Elevation Range
482 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Whitehall, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Gsp South: Paterson and Fort Lee.
Whitehall Township is a suburban township near Allentown in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. The township is 64.1 miles (103.2 km) north of Philadelphia, the sixth-largest city in the United States, and 93.7 miles (150.8 km) west of New York City, the nation's largest city.
Top landmarks
•Skene Manor — historic house in New York, United States
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 58m. Total distance: 234.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.6 miles on I 87. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $22.55 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 20 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 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. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 73.2 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.1 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Saratoga National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Queens, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
