Trip from Islip Terrace, NY to Queens, NY

Drive Time

1h

Distance

42.8 mi

69 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 14 min
4 AM
0h 56m ★
6 AM
1h 0m
8 AM
1h 10m
10 AM
1h 4m
12 PM
1h 3m
3 PM
1h 4m
5 PM
1h 10m
8 PM
0h 58m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Islip Terrace, NY, NY

Islip Terrace, NY

Mel Audelo

Downtown Queens, NY, NY

Queens, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Islip Terrace to Queens, you are looking at a straightforward 42.8-mile trip that typically takes about one hour. Because of the quick transit time, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion rather than an overnight journey. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, specifically the Southern State Parkway, Heckscher State Parkway, and Rockaway Boulevard. With an estimated fuel cost of just $7, it is an economical way to navigate across the Northeast region. While the drive is efficient, keep in mind that the highway-heavy nature of the trip means your experience will be dictated largely by traffic flow. Overall, it serves as a reliable connection between these two points in New York.

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

21.4 miles from Islip Terrace, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience, as roughly 83% of this 42.8-mile route is comprised of fast-paced parkways. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Southern State Parkway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 25.4 miles. The road’s personality is defined by consistent, high-speed travel, lacking the technical winding turns found on local backroads. As you transition from the parkways onto Rockaway Boulevard, the character of the drive shifts from open highway lanes to a more urban, street-level environment. Being behind the wheel requires sustained attention to surrounding traffic patterns to maintain a steady pace across the hour-long commute.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southern State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 25.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern State Parkway and Heckscher State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 42.8 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 2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles (SO / Southern State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37 miles (BP / Belt Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
2 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the exit toward NY 27A, CR 85: Montauk Highway, Oakdale, Great River

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 46A Toward NY 27A, CR 85: Montauk Highway, Oakdale,...
6
10.5 mi into trip | ~14m in | SO / Southern State Parkway

Keep slight left at fork onto SO / Southern State Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane.
6
37 mi into trip | ~47m in | BP / Belt Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto BP / Belt Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
7
38.9 mi into trip | ~50m in

Take the exit toward Rockaway Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 21A Toward Rockaway Boulevard
6
39.8 mi into trip | ~52m in | Rockaway Boulevard

Keep slight left at fork onto Rockaway Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Islip Terrace, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward To Ny 27: Southern Parkway West and New York.

To Ny 27: Southern Parkway West

3.3 mi in | ~5m

New York

3.3 mi in | ~5m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Southern State Parkway 25.4 mi 32m
Heckscher State Parkway 6.9 mi 8m
Rockaway Boulevard 3.2 mi 7m
Belt Parkway 3.2 mi 4m
Sunrise Highway 2 mi 2m
Montauk Highway 1.2 mi 2m
North Conduit Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
103rd Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Southern State Parkway — 25.4 mi, about 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Islip Terrace, NY and Queens, NY.

1

Start on NY 27

2.0 mi · 2 min · Sunrise Highway
2

Take the exit

442 ft · 18 sec
Exit 46A Toward NY 27A, CR 85: Montauk Highway, Oakdale, Great River Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3

Turn right onto NY 27A

1.2 mi · 2 min · Montauk Highway
Use the right lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward To NY 27: Southern Parkway west, New York
5

Merge onto H

6.9 mi · 8 min · Heckscher State Parkway
Use the none lane.
6

Continue on SO

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Southern State Parkway
Use the none lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto SO

25 mi · 32 min · Southern State Parkway
Use the slight left lane.
8

Continue on BP

1.3 mi · 1 min · Belt Parkway
Use the none lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto BP

1.9 mi · 2 min · Belt Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 21A Toward Rockaway Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn straight onto NY 27

0.3 mi · 45 sec · North Conduit Avenue
12

Turn right onto Rockaway Boulevard

0.5 mi · 50 sec · Rockaway Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto Rockaway Boulevard

2.7 mi · 6 min · Rockaway Boulevard
Use the none lane.
14

Turn right onto 103rd Street

0.2 mi · 36 sec · 103rd Street
15

Turn right onto Liberty Avenue

257 ft · 11 sec · Liberty Avenue
16

Turn right onto 104th Street

205 ft · 9 sec · 104th Street
17

Arrive at destination

104th Street

Trip Plan

Given the one-hour duration, you have plenty of flexibility when it comes to planning your departure time. Since the trip involves no mandatory stops, you can easily complete the drive in a single push without needing to factor in rest breaks. To make the most of your travel, try to avoid the peak commuting hours that often congest these specific parkways, as traffic volume can significantly impact your travel time. Budgeting approximately $7 for gas should cover your fuel needs, but it is always wise to ensure your tank is topped off before merging onto the Southern State Parkway. Because the route relies heavily on major parkways, keep a navigation app open to monitor for real-time accidents or lane closures that might require a quick detour.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 21.4 miles from Islip Terrace, NY, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.4 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 42.8 miles or 1h in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 21.4 miles or 28m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 47m

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 Islip Terrace, 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 Islip Terrace, NY

This is one driving day of about 42.8 miles and 1h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Islip Terrace, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Southern State Parkway for about 25.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 21.4 mi from Islip Terrace, NY · 28m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hempstead, NY

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.

Popular next leg

Hempstead, NY to Queens, NY

14 mi · 24m

Pacing Suggestions

Richmond Hill, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hempstead, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 21.4 miles from Islip Terrace, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$6.97 one way

$13.94 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 15 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $7.55 $15.10
premium $4.88 $8.23 $16.46
diesel $5.64 $9.51 $19.02

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$32–$57

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 15 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 12.8 0 $4.49 $2.05
Efficient EV 10.7 0 $3.74 $1.71
EV Truck/SUV 17.1 0 $5.99 $2.74

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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Islip Terrace, NY

Evening in Islip Terrace on Sunday

Local time

5:04 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Queens, NY

Evening in Queens on Sunday

Local time

5:04 PM

EDT

Current temp

70°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

19 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Islip Terrace, NY to Queens, NY covers 42.8 miles and takes about 1h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southern State Parkway, Heckscher State Parkway, Rockaway Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.4 miles from Islip Terrace, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.97 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 42.8 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 2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles (SO / Southern State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37 miles (BP / Belt Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Islip Terrace, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward To Ny 27: Southern Parkway West and New York.

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Return Trip

Queens, NY to Islip Terrace, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

35.7 mi 53m

Explore more options from Islip Terrace, NY or browse trips ending in Queens, NY.

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