Origin
Queens, NY
Afternoon in Queens on Friday
Local time
4:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Queens, NY to University Heights, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
31m
Distance
17.7 mi
29 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 29m
★
6 AM
0h 31m
8 AM
0h 36m
10 AM
0h 33m
12 PM
0h 32m
3 PM
0h 33m
5 PM
0h 36m
8 PM
0h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Queens, NY
Wikimedia Commons
University Heights, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
The drive from Queens, NY to University Heights, NY covers 17.7 miles and takes about 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Van Wyck Expressway, I 95, Whitestone Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 5.7 miles on Van Wyck Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.91 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 31m. Total distance: 17.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 31m highway drive covering 17.7 miles, with most of the trip on Van Wyck Expressway and I 95. The longest continuous stretch is about 5.7 miles on Van Wyck Expressway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Van Wyck Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 5.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Van Wyck Expressway and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near Van Wyck Expressway East.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 17 decision points packed into just 17.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 31m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (Van Wyck Expressway East): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
Van Wyck Expressway East
Turn left onto Van Wyck Expressway East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
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...
10
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...
7
16.3 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward Jerome Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2A
Toward Jerome Avenue
8
16.4 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Jerome Avenue North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Jerome Avenue North
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Queens, NY and University Heights, NY, road signs point toward Bronx, Manhattan, New Haven Connecticut and Jerome Avenue North.
Bronx
1.8 mi in
|
~5m
Manhattan
11.7 mi in
|
~20m
New Haven Connecticut
11.7 mi in
|
~20m
Jerome Avenue North
16.4 mi in
|
~27m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Van Wyck Expressway | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| I 95 | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| Whitestone Expressway | 2 mi | 2m |
| Liberty Avenue | 1.5 mi | 4m |
| Bronx-Whitestone Bridge | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Hutchinson River Expressway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Jerome Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| West 181st Street | 0.2 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Van Wyck Expressway
— 5.7 mi, about 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Queens, NY and University Heights, NY.
1
Start on 104th Street
300 ft
·
18 sec
·
104th Street
2
Turn left onto 107th Avenue
266 ft
·
16 sec
·
107th Avenue
3
Turn left onto 105th Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
105th Street
4
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
1.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Liberty Avenue
5
Turn left onto Van Wyck Expressway East
77 ft
·
1 sec
·
Van Wyck Expressway East
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway, Whitestone Bridge, Bronx
7
Merge onto I 678
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Van Wyck Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 678
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
10
Continue on I 678
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Hutchinson River Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
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.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 95 South
14
Merge onto I 95
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
419 ft
·
10 sec
Exit 2A
Toward Jerome Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
235 ft
·
6 sec
Toward Jerome Avenue North
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto Jerome Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Jerome Avenue
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto West 181st Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West 181st Street
19
Continue on Hall of Fame Terrace
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Hall of Fame Terrace
20
Turn right onto Loring Place North
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
Loring Place North
21
Keep slight right at fork onto West 183rd Street
38 ft
·
1 sec
·
West 183rd Street
22
Arrive at destination
West 183rd Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.91 one way
$5.83 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $3.15 | $6.30 |
| premium | $4.92 | $3.43 | $6.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.91 | $7.82 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.55
Whitestone Bridge
$6.55
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Tolls
$7
Total
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.3 | 0 | $1.86 | $0.85 |
| Efficient EV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.55 | $0.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.48 | $1.13 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Destination
University Heights, NY
Afternoon in University Heights on Friday
Local time
4:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
31m 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 University Heights, NY covers 17.7 miles and takes about 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Van Wyck Expressway, I 95, Whitestone Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.9 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 $2.91 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 short but busy drive. With 17 decision points packed into just 17.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 31m.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (Van Wyck Expressway East): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Between Queens, NY and University Heights, NY, road signs point toward Bronx, Manhattan, New Haven Connecticut and Jerome Avenue North.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and African Burial Ground National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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