Drive Time
24m
Distance
10.7 mi
17 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Photo: Renan Tagliaferro
If you are looking for a quick transition from the coast to the city, this 10.4-mile trip from Atlantic Beach to Queens is a straightforward local drive. You can expect to spend about 27 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day journey that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting is simple, as you will likely spend only about $2 on fuel for the entire transit. Because this is a short, localized route within the Northeast, you won't need to worry about complex travel logistics or multi-day pacing. It is a practical, no-fuss connection between these two New York locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
5.4 miles from Atlantic Beach, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. You will navigate via Jefferson Boulevard, Park Street, and the Nassau Expressway, relying entirely on surface roads since the highway share for this route is zero percent. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches, you will need to stay alert for frequent turns and intersection changes. The personality of this drive is strictly functional and urban, requiring your full attention as you maneuver through local neighborhood transitions.
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 0.3 miles in near Park Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 10.7 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 0.3 miles (Park Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Park Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway, Bronx
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward Rockaway Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Rockaway Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Atlantic Beach, NY to Queens, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Bronx along the way.
Bronx
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Rockaway Boulevard | 4.4 mi | 11m |
| Nassau Expressway | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Park Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Rockaway Turnpike | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Jefferson Boulevard | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| 103rd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Liberty Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 104th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Atlantic Beach, NY and Queens, NY.
Start on Jefferson Boulevard
Continue on Jefferson Boulevard
Turn left onto Park Street
Continue on Nassau Expressway
Continue on Rockaway Turnpike
Continue on Rockaway Boulevard
Turn straight onto NY 878
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway
Turn left onto Rockaway Boulevard
Turn right onto 103rd Street
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
Turn right onto 104th Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a brief 27-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak local traffic is always a smart move. There are no planned stops on this route, so ensure your tank is topped off before you leave Atlantic Beach to avoid searching for a station along the way. Because the route relies on local roads rather than highways, keep a close eye on your GPS to navigate the various turns efficiently. Take advantage of the short distance to enjoy the ride without the pressure of a long-haul schedule.
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.
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 10.7 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.4 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Queens, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Atlantic Beach, 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 Atlantic Beach, NY
This is one driving day of about 10.7 miles and 24m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.4 mi from Atlantic Beach, NY · 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
5 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.
A short stop after about 10.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 5.4 miles from Atlantic Beach, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Queens, NY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Queens, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$1.74 one way
$3.48 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $1.89 | $3.78 |
| premium | $4.88 | $2.06 | $4.11 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.38 | $4.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.12 | $0.51 |
| Efficient EV | 2.7 | 0 | $0.94 | $0.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.50 | $0.68 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Atlantic Beach on Saturday
Local time
5:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Queens on Saturday
Local time
5:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
57°F
Jamaica, NY
5 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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