Drive Time
6h 9m
Distance
295.4 mi
475 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
Photo: Renan Tagliaferro
Traveling from Martinsburg to Queens covers 305.5 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 16 minutes of driving time. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, you should plan on this being a full-day commitment. Budgeting approximately $48 for fuel will cover your transit from the rural reaches of upstate New York down to the city. While it is possible to complete the journey in a single day, the winding nature of the local roads makes it a demanding drive. Expect a transition from the quiet, open landscapes of the Northeast to the high-density environment of the New York City metropolitan area. Approach this trip as a focused excursion that requires your full attention behind the wheel.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
147.7 miles from Martinsburg, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .
Expect a technical and engaging experience, as this route is defined by turn-heavy local roads rather than a monotonous interstate grind. With 0% of the drive on major highways, you will spend your time navigating local infrastructure that demands constant focus and frequent steering adjustments. This profile offers a stark contrast to typical highway travel, favoring slow-speed navigation over high-velocity cruising. The lack of long, uninterrupted stretches means you will rarely be able to settle into a consistent pace. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience where the road surface and local traffic patterns will dictate your progress for the entire 305.5-mile duration.
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 134.6 miles in near New York State Thruway.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 295.4 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 134.6 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 254.2 miles (NJ 17): 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.
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
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
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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 right at fork toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Martinsburg, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South, Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Genesee Street South
Boston
Gsp South: Paterson
Fort Lee
New York
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 201.9 mi | 3h 53m |
| State Highway 12 | 22 mi | 30m |
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| State Highway 12D | 8.4 mi | 12m |
| Erwin Parkway | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| State Highway 26 | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between Martinsburg, NY and Queens, NY.
Start on Magdelene Street
Turn right onto NY 26
Continue on NY 26
Continue on NY 26
Continue on NY 26
Continue on NY 12D
Continue on NY 12D
Turn left onto NY 12D
Turn slight right onto NY 12D
Turn left onto Schuyler Street
Turn right onto NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Take the exit
Merge onto NY 49
Continue on I 790; NY 5
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 90
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto NJ 4
Continue on NJ 4
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 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
To manage this 5-hour and 16-minute drive effectively, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the stress of navigating local turns during peak evening congestion. Since you are not relying on high-speed expressways, factor in extra time for the navigation of local intersections and potential traffic bottlenecks as you approach the city. Keep your $48 fuel budget in mind, and consider fueling up before you enter the dense, high-traffic corridors of the destination area where prices and accessibility may vary. Because the route is entirely local, stay alert for changing speed limits and residential zones that appear frequently throughout the journey. Flexibility is your best asset here, so keep your schedule open to account for the unique demands of this turn-heavy path.
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.
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 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.7 miles or 3h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Queens, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Martinsburg, 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 Martinsburg, NY
This is one driving day of about 295.4 miles and 6h 9m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 147.7 mi from Martinsburg, NY · 3h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 147.7 miles from Martinsburg, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 201.9 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$48.09 one way
$96.18 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $52.11 | $104.23 |
| premium | $4.88 | $56.79 | $113.58 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $65.63 | $131.26 |
Estimated Tolls: $32.64
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
$48
Tolls
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$106–$131
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.6 | 1 | $31.02 | $14.18 |
| Efficient EV | 73.9 | 0 | $25.85 | $11.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.2 | 1 | $41.36 | $18.91 |
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Martinsburg on Saturday
Local time
7:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Queens on Saturday
Local time
7:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
48°F
Albany, NY
148 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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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