This 202.2-mile drive from Queensbury, NY, to Yonkers, NY, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 4 hours and 6 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-87, also known as the Adirondack Northway and New York State Thruway, it's a highway-focused trip that makes for a perfect single-day adventure. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, this route offers an economical way to travel south within New York State. The majority of the drive is on major highways, offering a consistent pace. You'll be covering a significant distance, so planning for one stop along the way is recommended. This trip is ideal for those seeking efficiency and direct travel between these two points.
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
101.1 miles from Queensbury, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Yonkers is a city of 211,569 people (2020) in Westchester County. The third most populous city in New York state, Yonkers is a suburb of New York City and borders the Borough of the Bronx. Yonkers is known as the "City of Seven Hills," which are Park, Nodine, Ridge, Cross, Locust, Glen, and Church hills.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 6m. Total distance: 202.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for 63% of this 202.2-mile journey. The dominant roads are I-87, the Adirondack Northway, and the New York State Thruway, meaning you'll be on well-maintained, high-speed interstates for a substantial portion of the drive. The longest uninterrupted stretch is an impressive 118.6 miles on I-87, allowing for extended periods of steady driving. While the highway forms the backbone of this route, the consistent nature of these major arteries suggests a predictable driving experience. You'll primarily be navigating through New York's landscape on these primary corridors.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 87 is the longest continuous segment at about 118.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 87 and Adirondack Northway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 54.1 miles in near I 87.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 202.2 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 54.1 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.9 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 192.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
54.1 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1E-W
Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
7
54.9 mi into trip|~1h 10m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 87 South: New York
7
192.7 mi into trip|~3h 52m in
Take the exit toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 7A
Toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
7
200.9 mi into trip|~4h 4m in
Take the exit toward West Yonkers Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward West Yonkers Avenue
7
202.2 mi into trip|~4h 6m in|US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A / South Broadway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Queensbury, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York and Buffalo.
Albany
54.1 mi in|~1h 9m|via I 87
New York
54.1 mi in|~1h 9m|via I 87
Buffalo
54.1 mi in|~1h 9m|via I 87
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 87
118.6 mi
2h 17m
Adirondack Northway
46.8 mi
55m
New York State Thruway
20 mi
25m
Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi
10m
Ridge Road
3.5 mi
5m
Quaker Road
1.9 mi
3m
Sunnyside Road East
0.8 mi
1m
Aviation Road
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 87
— 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Queensbury, NY and Yonkers, NY.
1
Start on CR 39
0.8 mi·1 min·Sunnyside Road East
2
Turn left onto NY 9L
3.5 mi·5 min·Ridge Road
3
Turn right onto NY 254; CR 70
1.9 mi·3 min·Quaker Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on NY 254
0.7 mi·1 min·Aviation Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 87 SouthUse the left / straight lanes.
6
Merge onto I 87
47 mi·55 min·Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
0.3 mi·31 sec·I 87
Exit 1E-WToward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, BuffaloUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 87
0.5 mi·51 sec·I 87
Exit 1WToward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 87
Toward I 87 South: New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 87
19 mi·24 min·New York State Thruway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
1.0 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 7AToward Saw Mill River Parkway SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
7.8 mi·10 min·Saw Mill River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward West Yonkers AvenueUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn slight right onto Yonkers Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Yonkers Avenue
16
Continue on Nepperhan Avenue
0.5 mi·57 sec·Nepperhan Avenue
17
Turn sharp left onto US 9; NY 9A
229 ft·5 sec·South Broadway
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
US 9; NY 9A
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 4-hour duration, this trip is best tackled in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Queensbury in the morning to maximize daylight and arrive in Yonkers with ample time. With only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the drive around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch is over 118 miles, so be prepared for sustained highway driving. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spread out on the Thruway, and your estimated fuel cost is around $33 for the entire trip.
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 101.1 miles from Queensbury, NY, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 44 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.1 miles or 2h 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 3h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yonkers, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Queensbury, 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 Queensbury, NY
This is one driving day of about 202.2 miles and 4h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Queensbury, 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 I 87 for about 118.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 101.1 mi from Queensbury, NY
· 2h 4m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 202.2
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 27.9
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 202.2
Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 202.2
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 202.2
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 202.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.28 one way
$66.57 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$35.99
$71.98
premium
$4.92
$39.19
$78.38
diesel
$5.61
$44.64
$89.29
Estimated Tolls: $1.00
New York State Thruway
(20 mi)$1.00
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
$33
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.7
0
$21.23
$9.71
Efficient EV
50.6
0
$17.69
$8.09
EV Truck/SUV
80.9
1
$28.31
$12.94
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Queensbury, NY
Late night
in Queensbury on Saturday
Local time
2:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yonkers, NY
Late night
in Yonkers on Saturday
Local time
2:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Chance Rain Showers
NW 7 to 10 mph29% chanceLive 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
31 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
4h 6m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Queensbury, NY to Yonkers, NY covers 202.2 miles and takes about 4h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 87, Adirondack Northway, New York State Thruway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 101.1 miles from Queensbury, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.28 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 202.2 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 54.1 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.9 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 192.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Queensbury, NY and Yonkers, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York and Buffalo.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, Saratoga National Historical Park and General Grant National Memorial. 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.
