Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
41.7 mi
67 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
Photo: Renan Tagliaferro
Spanning 44.6 miles, this journey from Hillcrest to Queens is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Because of the relatively short distance, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily navigate via East Central Avenue, local New York roads, and the Palisades Interstate Parkway. With an estimated fuel cost of just $7, this is an economical way to travel across the Northeast region. It serves as a practical connection for those looking to reach their destination without a major time commitment.
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
20.8 miles from Hillcrest, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate haul on this route. Since the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a consistent flow of local traffic and frequent turns throughout the entire 44.6-mile trek. The experience is defined by navigating through regional corridors rather than high-speed cruising. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches, your focus will need to remain on the road as you transition between local streets and the parkway. It offers a more hands-on driving experience than a standard highway route.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Palisades Interstate Parkway and Cross Bronx Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.2 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 41.7 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 29.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.5 miles (I 678 / Van Wyck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Keep slight left at fork onto I 678 / Van Wyck Expressway toward I 678 South: Kennedy Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Between Hillcrest, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward New York and Palisades Interstate Parkway South.
New York
Palisades Interstate Parkway South
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Palisades Interstate Parkway | 18.3 mi | 25m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Van Wyck Expressway | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| East Central Avenue | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Whitestone Expressway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Liberty Avenue | 1.5 mi | 4m |
| North Main Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Bronx-Whitestone Bridge | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hillcrest, NY and Queens, NY.
Start on NY 45
Turn left onto NY 59
Take the ramp
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
Merge onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
Continue on I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95; US 1
Take the exit
Merge onto I 678
Continue on I 678
Continue on I 678
Keep slight left at fork onto I 678
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
Turn left onto 104th Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a quick 1-hour and 15-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time. You won't need to worry about complex stop-overs or long-distance fatigue, as the route is designed to be completed in one go with zero stops required. Keep your $7 fuel budget in mind, and ensure your vehicle is ready for a route that demands constant attention to turns. To make the most of your drive, check local traffic reports before heading out, as the reliance on local roads means your travel time can fluctuate depending on daily conditions.
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 41.7 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.8 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Queens, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hillcrest, 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 Hillcrest, NY
This is one driving day of about 41.7 miles and 1h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.8 mi from Hillcrest, NY · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 41.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 20.8 miles from Hillcrest, 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
$6.79 one way
$13.58 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $7.36 | $14.71 |
| premium | $4.88 | $8.02 | $16.03 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.26 | $18.53 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.55
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
$7
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.5 | 0 | $4.38 | $2.00 |
| Efficient EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.65 | $1.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.84 | $2.67 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Hillcrest on Sunday
Local time
6:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Queens on Sunday
Local time
6:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
75°F
The Bronx, NY
21 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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