Cross Island Parkway - Long Island Guide

A beautiful, sunny day taking aerial drone shots of the water, boats, and people at The Bayside Marina. With a few images of cars driving by on the Cross Island Parkway, the blue skies and clouds — An aerial view of the Cross Island Parkway running alongside Little Neck Bay on a sunny afternoon. Cars move steadily along the roadway, framed by lush green trees on one side and sparkling blue waters on the other, with the distant outline of the Throgs Neck Bridge visible on the horizon. File photo: Audley C Bullock, licensed.

The Cross Island Parkway is one of the key north–south parkways in Queens, forming part of New York City’s Belt Parkway system. Running for 10.6 miles along the eastern edge of Queens, it connects the Whitestone and Throgs Neck Bridges in the north with the Southern State Parkway in the south. For Long Island drivers, the Cross Island Parkway is a vital link to bridges leading into the Bronx and New England, as well as a connector to Long Island’s own network of parkways and expressways.

History

Construction: Built in the late 1930s under the leadership of Robert Moses, as part of the ambitious Belt Parkway system.
Opening: The parkway officially opened in 1940, coinciding with other parts of the Belt system.
Purpose: Designed exclusively for passenger vehicles, the Cross Island Parkway was created to provide a scenic and efficient bypass around residential neighborhoods, avoiding heavy commercial traffic.
Modernization: Over the decades, the parkway has been widened, resurfaced, and integrated into modern traffic systems, including electronic tolling connections at the northern bridges.

Route and Significance

Northern Terminus: At the Whitestone Expressway (I-678) and Throgs Neck Bridge approach in College Point/Whitestone.
Southern Terminus: Transitions into the Southern State Parkway at the Queens–Nassau border, near Cambria Heights and Elmont.
Length: 10.6 miles.
Restrictions: Like other New York parkways, the Cross Island Parkway is closed to trucks, buses, and commercial vehicles.

The parkway provides critical connections for Long Island motorists heading to:

Throgs Neck & Whitestone Bridges → Bronx, Westchester, Connecticut, and New England.
Southern State Parkway → Long Island destinations in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Belt Parkway System → Other key roads in Brooklyn and Queens.

Exits

Like your other parkway pages, here’s a structured list of major exits along the Cross Island Parkway:

Exit	Destinations
25A	Utopia Parkway – Auburndale, Fresh Meadows
26A	Union Turnpike – Queens, Cunningham Park
26B	Long Island Expressway (I-495) – Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
27	Northern Boulevard (NY-25A) – Bayside, Douglaston
29	Grand Central Parkway – LaGuardia Airport, Triborough Bridge
31	Whitestone Expressway (I-678) – Whitestone Bridge, Bronx
33	Throgs Neck Bridge (I-295) – Bronx, New England
23–24 (Southbound)	Southern State Parkway – Long Island (Nassau/Suffolk)

Notable Facts

Part of the original Belt Parkway system created by Robert Moses.
Provides the fastest route for Long Islanders heading north toward New England.
Scenic stretches pass through parks such as Alley Pond Park and Cunningham Park.

Area Snapshot

Feature	Details
Opened	1940
Length	10.6 miles
Northern Terminus	Whitestone/Throgs Neck Bridge approaches (Queens)
Southern Terminus	Southern State Parkway (Queens–Nassau border)
Restrictions	No trucks or buses
Operator	NYSDOT / NYC DOT
Primary Role	Connects Long Island parkways to Bronx/NE bridges

The Cross Island Parkway is a critical link in the Belt Parkway system and one of the most important north–south roadways for Long Island drivers. By connecting directly to the Throgs Neck and Whitestone Bridges, it provides access to the Bronx, New England, and beyond, while linking seamlessly to the Southern State Parkway for travel deeper into Nassau and Suffolk Counties. For commuters, travelers, and visitors, the Cross Island Parkway continues to serve as a vital artery along the eastern edge of Queens.