Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
18m
Distance
8.2 mi
13 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Manhattan, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Jackson Heights, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
The drive from Manhattan, NY to Jackson Heights, NY covers 8.2 miles and takes about 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 3rd Avenue, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, Grand Central Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 2.1 miles on 3rd Avenue. At current regular gas prices, budget about $1.35 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 18m. Total distance: 8.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Expect a 18m drive with frequent turns across 8.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
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 2.8 miles in near East 125th Street.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 8 decision points packed into just 8.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 18m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (East 125th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto East 125th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 278: Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, Bronx, Queens, Randalls lsland
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 278 West: Queens, Airports, Citi Field
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 278 / Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Astoria Boulevard, 82nd Street, Airport Terminal A, Terminal B Wait Area
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Manhattan, NY and Jackson Heights, NY, road signs point toward Bronx, Queens, Randalls Lsland, Airports, Citi Field and Airport Terminal A - among others.
Bronx
Queens
Randalls Lsland
Airports
Citi Field
Airport Terminal A
Terminal B Wait Area
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Avenue | 2.1 mi | 5m |
| Robert F. Kennedy Bridge | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Grand Central Parkway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| 82nd Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East 84th Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| 86th Street Transverse | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Astoria Boulevard South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East 125th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Manhattan, NY and Jackson Heights, NY.
Start on 86th Street Transverse
Continue on East 84th Street
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue
Turn right onto East 125th Street
Take the ramp
Continue on Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 278
Continue on I 278; GCP
Keep slight left at fork onto GCP
Take the exit
Continue on Astoria Boulevard South
Turn right onto 82nd Street
Arrive at destination
Regular Gas
$1.35 one way
$2.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $1.46 | $2.92 |
| premium | $4.92 | $1.59 | $3.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $1.81 | $3.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$1
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.5 | 0 | $0.86 | $0.39 |
| Efficient EV | 2.1 | 0 | $0.72 | $0.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.3 | 0 | $1.15 | $0.52 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Manhattan on Friday
Local time
1:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Jackson Heights on Friday
Local time
1:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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