Trip from Queens, NY to Albany, NY

Drive Time

3h 16m

Distance

156.8 mi

252 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 5m ★

6 AM

3h 17m

8 AM

3h 41m

10 AM

3h 25m

12 PM

3h 23m

3 PM

3h 26m

5 PM

3h 39m

8 PM

3h 10m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Queens, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

Traveling from Queens to Albany covers 162.3 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 52 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a highway-focused route, it functions best as a straightforward one-day trip. Budgeting approximately $26 for fuel should cover your needs for the journey. Since the route stays entirely within the Northeast region of New York, you won't experience major environmental shifts, but you will navigate a consistent local landscape. This journey is ideal if you prefer staying off major interstates to reach your destination. It is a manageable distance to complete in a single sitting, though you should plan for at least one stop to break up the local navigation.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

78.4 miles from Queens, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a very different experience than a typical interstate trek, as this route features zero highway miles and relies heavily on local thoroughfares like 107th Avenue, 106th Street, and Liberty Avenue. The drive is defined by its turn-heavy nature, requiring your full attention as you transition between local roads. With the longest stretch being 0 miles on 107th Avenue, the character of the road remains consistently technical rather than open and fast. You will spend the entire 162.3 miles navigating local infrastructure, which gives the trip a hands-on, grounded feel. Prepare for a slower, more deliberate pace compared to a high-speed motorway experience.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

NY 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 111.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.7 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 156.8 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 11.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 27 key points

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

11.7 mi into trip | ~20m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South, I 278 West, I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Manhattan, New Haven Connecticut

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 19S-W; 19N Toward I 95 South, I 278 West, I 95 North: Geor...

11.9 mi into trip | ~20m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, I 278 West: George Washington Bridge, Manhattan

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 19S-W Toward I 95 South, I 278 West: George Washingto...

19.8 mi into trip | ~31m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

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. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

20 mi into trip | ~32m in

Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 72A Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus

27.1 mi into trip | ~42m in

Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah

Towns Along This Route

Between Queens, NY and Albany, NY, road signs point toward Manhattan, New Haven Connecticut, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South and Gsp North - among others.

Manhattan

11.7 mi in | ~20m

New Haven Connecticut

11.7 mi in | ~20m

Upper Level

17.3 mi in | ~28m | via I 95; US 1

Njtp South: Hackensack

19.8 mi in | ~31m

Gsp South

26.9 mi in | ~41m

Gsp North

26.9 mi in | ~41m

Newark

26.9 mi in | ~41m

Mahwah

26.9 mi in | ~41m

New York State Thruway North: Albany

42.1 mi in | ~1h 1m | via NY 17

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
NY 17	111.7 mi	2h 8m
NJ 17	14.7 mi	18m
NJ 4	6.7 mi	9m
Van Wyck Expressway	5.7 mi	7m
I 95	4.8 mi	6m
Whitestone Expressway	2 mi	2m
I 787	1.6 mi	2m
Liberty Avenue	1.5 mi	4m

Longest stretch: NY 17 — 111.7 mi, about 2h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on 104th Street

300 ft · 18 sec · 104th Street

Turn left onto 107th Avenue

266 ft · 16 sec · 107th Avenue

Turn left onto 105th Street

0.1 mi · 28 sec · 105th Street

Turn right onto Liberty Avenue

1.5 mi · 4 min · Liberty Avenue

Turn left onto Van Wyck Expressway East

77 ft · 1 sec · Van Wyck Expressway East

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway, Whitestone Bridge, Bronx

Merge onto I 678

5.7 mi · 7 min · Van Wyck Expressway

Use the none / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 678

2.0 mi · 2 min · Whitestone Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 678

1.3 mi · 1 min · Bronx-Whitestone Bridge

Continue on I 678

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hutchinson River Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 19S-W; 19N Toward I 95 South, I 278 West, I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Manhattan, New Haven Connecticut Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 50 sec

Exit 19S-W Toward I 95 South, I 278 West: George Washington Bridge, Manhattan Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward I 95 South Use the none lane.

Merge onto I 95

4.8 mi · 6 min · I 95

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway

Toward Upper Level

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.6 mi · 59 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)

Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

0.5 mi · 48 sec · I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

0.6 mi · 39 sec · I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 95 EXPR; NJTP

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Exit 72A Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto NJ 4

6.7 mi · 9 min · NJ 4

Use the none / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, Mahwah Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 36 sec

Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto NJ 17

3.3 mi · 4 min · NJ 17

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on NJ 17

7.3 mi · 9 min · NJ 17

Use the none lane.

Continue on NJ 17

0.7 mi · 50 sec · NJ 17

Use the none lane.

Continue on NJ 17

3.3 mi · 4 min · NJ 17

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 287; NY 17

0.2 mi · 10 sec · I 287; NY 17

Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17

112 mi · 2 hr 8 min · NY 17

Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 50 sec

Exit 23 Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 787

1.6 mi · 2 min · I 787

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec

Exit 4 Toward US 9 North, US 20 West: Downtown Albany Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto Quay Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Quay Street

Turn left onto NY 5

0.2 mi · 42 sec · NY 5

Turn left onto NY 5

0.3 mi · 51 sec · State Street

At end of road, turn right onto NY 5

182 ft · 5 sec · Eagle Street

Turn straight onto NY 5

498 ft · 19 sec · Washington Avenue

Turn left

30 ft · 2 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a local, turn-heavy route, try to depart during off-peak hours to avoid getting bogged down in the frequent stops required by local roads. Planning for at least one stop is essential to maintain your focus, as the lack of highway segments makes the driving more mentally demanding. Keep your $26 fuel budget in mind, but ensure you have a little extra in case local traffic leads to more idling than anticipated. Because the entire 162.3-mile trip is on surface streets, your flexibility is high; you can easily pull over to rest whenever the navigation feels repetitive. A concrete tip for this route: keep a reliable GPS running at all times, as the reliance on local roads like 107th Avenue and 106th Street involves frequent turns that are easy to miss.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 78.4 miles from Queens, NY, or about 1h 43m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.7 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 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 78.4 miles or 1h 43m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 41m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Queens, 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 Queens, NY

This is one driving day of about 156.8 miles and 3h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Queens, NY.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on NY 17 for about 111.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 78.4 mi from Queens, NY · 1h 43m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

78 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ramapo, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 78.4 miles from Queens, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.7 miles.

Arriving in Albany, NY

The final approach into Albany, 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 Albany, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.53 one way

$51.05 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.48	$27.66	$55.32
premium	$4.88	$30.14	$60.29
diesel	$5.64	$34.84	$69.67

Estimated Tolls: $22.55

George Washington Bridge $16.00

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

$26

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	47	$16.46	$7.53
Efficient EV	39.2	$13.72	$6.27
EV Truck/SUV	62.7	$21.95	$10.04

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 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 1 day ago

Origin

Queens, NY

Afternoon in Queens on Sunday

Local time

4:24 PM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Albany, NY

Afternoon in Albany on Sunday

Local time

4:24 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

59°F

Ramapo, NY

78 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

22 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

3h 16m 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 Queens, NY to Albany, NY covers 156.8 miles and takes about 3h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are NY 17, NJ 17, NJ 4. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 78.4 miles from Queens, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.53 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Between Queens, NY and Albany, NY, road signs point toward Manhattan, New Haven Connecticut, Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South and Gsp North - among others.

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Return Trip

Albany, NY to Queens, NY

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157.1 mi 3h 19m

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Trip from Queens, NY to Albany, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Albany, NY

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Queens, NY

Albany, NY

Same local time

22 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 16m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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