Richland, NY to Queens, NY is 302.1 miles and takes about 6h 21m via I 81 and I 380, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Northeast region, focusing on New York State for its entirety. It's a highway-focused trip that should be manageable in a single day, making it a convenient option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. Be prepared for a substantial portion of your journey to be on interstates, so pack accordingly for a straightforward travel experience.
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
151 miles from Richland, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 4m into the drive
.
Queens is a crescent-shaped (with a tail) borough traversing the north-to-south width of Long Island and including two of the major New York City area airports, LaGuardia (LGA IATA) and John F. Kennedy International (JFK IATA). It also carries the largest ethnic diversity in its area of any region in the world, with many small enclaves. Jackson Heights, for example, includes a huge Indian area, followed by a Colombian area, and then a Mexican area. Each offers a wide array of authentic shops, native-style cuisine, and festivals modified only slightly by the generally colder New York City experience.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 21m. Total distance: 302.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 71% of the route utilizing major interstates like I 81 and I 380. You'll experience a significant stretch of 165 miles on I 81, offering a consistent, high-speed journey. While the profile suggests a predominantly highway experience, the inclusion of the Keystone Shortway might introduce some variations in scenery or road conditions before you merge onto the final interstate segments. Expect a straightforward driving experience for the majority of the trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 48 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 165 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 171.8 miles in near US 6.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 38 significant decision points across 302.1 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 171.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 271.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 288.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 38 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
171.8 mi into trip|~3h 28m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
271.7 mi into trip|~5h 28m in
Take the exit toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 53
Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln Tunn...
8
288.4 mi into trip|~5h 49m in
Take the ramp toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York City
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York City
8
294.2 mi into trip|~6h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 278: Staten Island, Bronx, LaGuardia Airport
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 17W-E
Toward I 278: Staten Island, Bronx, LaGuardia A...
8
297.2 mi into trip|~6h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 25: Queens Boulevard, Woodhaven Boulevard, Rockaways
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward NY 25: Queens Boulevard, Woodhaven Boule...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Richland, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Clifton.
Mt Pocono
171.8 mi in|~3h 28m|via US 6
Milford
172.5 mi in|~3h 29m|via I 84; I 380
Clifton
271.7 mi in|~5h 28m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
165 mi
3h 15m
Keystone Shortway
70.8 mi
1h 27m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
NJ 3
10.5 mi
11m
Woodhaven Boulevard
3.9 mi
10m
US 46
3.7 mi
4m
I 84
3.7 mi
4m
Richland Road
3.4 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 165 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richland, NY and Queens, NY.
1
Start on CR 2
0.1 mi·24 sec·Richland-Orwell Road
2
Turn left onto North Ridge Road
182 ft·5 sec·North Ridge Road
3
Turn right onto County Route 48
446 ft·12 sec·County Route 48
4
Continue on CR 2
3.4 mi·7 min·Richland Road
5
Continue on CR 2
0.4 mi·38 sec·Maple Avenue
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 11
0.1 mi·14 sec·North Jefferson Street
7
Turn left onto US 11
0.3 mi·30 sec·Salina Street
8
Turn left onto NY 13
0.7 mi·1 min·Rome Road
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 81 South
10
Merge onto I 81
28 mi·32 min·I 81
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I-81
0.5 mi·33 sec·I-81
12
Continue on I 81
11 mi·14 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I-81
0.8 mi·48 sec·I-81
14
Continue on I 81
73 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
19
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
20
Merge onto I 80
71 mi·1 hr 27 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 53Toward US 46 East: Wayne, Clifton, Lincoln TunnelUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto US 46
2.1 mi·2 min·US 46
23
Continue on US 46
1.6 mi·1 min·US 46
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn slight left onto NJ 3
11 mi·11 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward NJ 495 East: Lincoln Tunnel, Kennedy BoulevardUse the straight / right lanes.
26
Merge onto NJ 495
1.1 mi·1 min·NJ 495
27
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Weehawken, Hoboken, Ferries to New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on South Marginal Highway
0.1 mi·10 sec·South Marginal Highway
29
Turn right onto Boulevard East
0.4 mi·1 min·Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
30
Take the ramp
123 ft·14 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel, New York CityUse the straight / right lanes.
31
Turn right
0.2 mi·57 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel access
32
Merge onto NJ 495
1.6 mi·4 min·Lincoln Tunnel
33
Keep slight right at fork
265 ft·6 sec
Toward Dyer Avenue
34
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft·8 sec
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square Garden
35
Continue on Dyer Avenue
350 ft·19 sec·Dyer Avenue
Toward 36th Street, Downtown, Madison Square GardenUse the left / straight lanes.
36
Turn left onto West 36th Street
1.3 mi·3 min·West 36th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
37
Take the ramp
68 ft·1 sec
Toward I 495: Queens-Midtown Tunnel
38
Keep slight left at fork onto I 495
2.5 mi·4 min·I 495
39
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17W-EToward I 278: Staten Island, Bronx, LaGuardia AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Merge onto I 495
2.0 mi·2 min·Long Island Expressway
41
Take the exit
0.4 mi·35 sec
Exit 19Toward NY 25: Woodhaven BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
42
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward NY 25: Queens Boulevard, Woodhaven Boulevard, RockawaysUse the straight / slight left lanes.
43
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Toward Woodhaven Boulevard, RockawaysUse the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Turn right onto Woodhaven Boulevard
3.9 mi·10 min·Woodhaven Boulevard
Use the right lane.
45
Turn left onto Rockaway Boulevard
344 ft·9 sec·Rockaway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
46
Turn slight left onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
47
Turn right onto 104th Street
205 ft·9 sec·104th Street
48
Arrive at destination
104th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 21m estimated duration, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a highway-focused profile, you can plan your break strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 165-mile stretch on I 81, as services can sometimes be spaced out on long interstate segments. The $50 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in potential fluctuations. Since this drive is well within a single day's travel, you have flexibility to depart later if needed, but an early start is advisable for a relaxed pace.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 151 miles from Richland, NY, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165 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 66 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Queens, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Richland, 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 Richland, NY
This is one driving day of about 302.1 miles and 6h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Richland, 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 81 for about 165 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 151 mi from Richland, NY
· 3h 4m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.73 one way
$99.46 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$53.77
$107.54
premium
$4.92
$58.55
$117.11
diesel
$5.61
$66.70
$133.40
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Lincoln Tunnel
$16.00
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
$50
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.6
1
$31.72
$14.50
Efficient EV
75.5
0
$26.43
$12.08
EV Truck/SUV
120.8
1
$42.29
$19.33
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Richland, NY
Morning
in Richland on Saturday
Local time
8:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Queens, NY
Morning
in Queens on Saturday
Local time
8:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live 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
9 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
6h 21m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Richland, NY to Queens, NY covers 302.1 miles and takes about 6h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Keystone Shortway, I 380. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 151 miles from Richland, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.73 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 38 significant decision points across 302.1 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 171.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 271.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 288.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Richland, NY and Queens, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Clifton.
