This 363.4-mile journey from Hammond, NY, to Queens, NY, is best tackled in a single day, though it will take approximately 7 hours and 26 minutes of driving time. You'll primarily navigate on the New York State Thruway and State Highway 12, with a brief section on Bea Luck Road. With a fuel cost estimated at $60 and two planned stops, this route offers a fairly direct path through the Northeast region, remaining within New York State for its entirety. The overall feel is a mix of highway travel and more localized driving, making it a manageable, albeit long, day trip.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
181.7 miles from Hammond, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 41m into the drive
.
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 7h 26m. Total distance: 363.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 26m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile for this route, with only 32% of the journey on highways. While you'll experience a significant 201.9-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway, the majority of the trip involves navigating State Highway 12 and Bea Luck Road. This suggests a driving experience that transitions between faster highway speeds and more winding, potentially slower local roads. You'll likely find yourself making frequent adjustments and experiencing varied road conditions as you progress south.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 55 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New York State Thruway is the longest continuous segment at about 201.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 202.6 miles in near New York State Thruway.
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 28 significant decision points across 363.4 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 202.6 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 320.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 322.1 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 28 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
202.6 mi into trip|~4h 5m in|New York State Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
9
320.7 mi into trip|~6h 21m 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
322.1 mi into trip|~6h 23m 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
350.9 mi into trip|~7h 3m 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
360.8 mi into trip|~7h 19m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hammond, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South, Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Genesee Street South
117.6 mi in|~2h 26m
Boston
202.6 mi in|~4h 5m|via New York State Thruway
Gsp South: Paterson
336.2 mi in|~6h 42m
Fort Lee
336.2 mi in|~6h 42m
New York
336.2 mi in|~6h 42m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
201.9 mi
3h 53m
State Highway 12
35.1 mi
46m
Bea Luck Road
19.8 mi
23m
State Highway 37
18 mi
20m
State Route 37
15.9 mi
18m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
Erwin Parkway
9.7 mi
11m
Van Allen Road
8.4 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hammond, NY and Queens, NY.
1
Start on Lake Street
50 ft·8 sec·Lake Street
2
Turn left onto NY 37
0.6 mi·42 sec·South Main Street
3
Continue on NY 37
18 mi·20 min·State Highway 37
4
Continue on NY 37
16 mi·18 min·State Route 37
5
Merge onto US 11
0.6 mi·39 sec·US 11
6
Enter roundabout onto US 11
204 ft·3 sec·Mill Street
7
Continue on US 11
1.4 mi·1 min·Mill Street
8
Continue on NY 3; NY 12
314 ft·7 sec·Public Square
9
Continue on NY 3; NY 12
1.7 mi·3 min·State Street
10
Turn right onto NY 12
2.4 mi·2 min·Gifford Street
11
Continue on NY 12
8.4 mi·9 min·Van Allen Road
12
Continue on NY 12
1.4 mi·1 min·State Highway 12
13
Continue on NY 12
0.6 mi·41 sec·Main Street
14
Continue on NY 12
0.6 mi·38 sec·High Street
15
Continue on NY 12
0.3 mi·22 sec·County Road 14
16
Continue on NY 12
11 mi·13 min·State Highway 12
17
Continue on NY 12
0.5 mi·1 min·Dayan Street
18
Turn right onto NY 12; NY 26
0.6 mi·1 min·South State Street
19
Continue on NY 12
0.5 mi·1 min·Utica Boulevard
20
Continue on NY 12
20 mi·23 min·Bea Luck Road
21
Continue on NY 12
0.8 mi·51 sec·State Highway 12
22
Continue on NY 12
9.7 mi·11 min·Erwin Parkway
23
Continue on NY 12
22 mi·30 min·State Highway 12
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
25
Merge onto NY 49
0.4 mi·26 sec·State Route 49
26
Continue on I 790; NY 5
0.2 mi·13 sec·I 790; NY 5
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 90
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 90 East
30
Merge onto I 90
84 mi·1 hr 36 min·New York State Thruway
31
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, BostonUse the slight right lane.
32
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.
33
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
34
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.
35
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
36
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
37
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
38
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
40
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
42
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
44
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi·5 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 6AToward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Expressway
47
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi·2 min·Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
48
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi·3 min·Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
49
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.
50
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 6Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic AvenueUse the right lane.
51
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica AvenueUse the slight right lane.
52
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi·2 min·Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
53
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
1.5 mi·4 min·Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
54
Turn left onto 104th Street
205 ft·9 sec·104th Street
55
Arrive at destination
104th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour 26-minute estimated duration, departing early in the morning from Hammond is advisable to maximize daylight and arrive in Queens before late evening. With only two recommended stops, plan them strategically for fuel and a break, especially considering the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 200 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels as you transition onto State Highway 12 and Bea Luck Road, as services might be less frequent than on the Thruway. The flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust your pace, but be prepared for varied traffic conditions as you approach the New York City area.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 181.7 miles from Hammond, NY, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.9 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181.7 miles or 3h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 1m
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 Hammond, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hammond, NY
This is one driving day of about 363.4 miles and 7h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hammond, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 201.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 181.7 mi from Hammond, NY
· 3h 41m into the drive
The midpoint is around 181.7 miles from Hammond, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 201.9 miles.
Arriving in Queens, NY
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 350.9
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 350.9
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 363.4
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 363.4
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 363.4
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 363.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.82 one way
$119.64 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg127 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$64.68
$129.36
premium
$4.92
$70.43
$140.87
diesel
$5.61
$80.23
$160.47
Estimated Tolls: $32.64
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(201.9 mi)$10.09
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
$60
Tolls
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$117–$142
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
109
1
$38.16
$17.44
Efficient EV
90.9
1
$31.80
$14.54
EV Truck/SUV
145.4
1
$50.88
$23.26
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Hammond, NY
Late night
in Hammond on Saturday
Local time
5:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Queens, NY
Late night
in Queens on Saturday
Local time
5:41 AM
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
3 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
7h 26m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hammond, NY to Queens, NY covers 363.4 miles and takes about 7h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, State Highway 12, Bea Luck Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 181.7 miles from Hammond, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.82 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 363.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 202.6 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 320.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 322.1 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Hammond, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South, Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and African Burial Ground National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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.
