This 87.1-mile drive from Jamaica, NY to Arlington, NY is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in under two hours, making it an ideal day trip. You'll primarily be on major highways, with 86% of the route being highway driving, including I-684, the Hutchinson River Parkway, and I-84. The estimated fuel cost is around $14, which is quite budget-friendly for a journey of this length. Given the relatively short duration and the highway-focused profile, you won't need to worry about overnight stays. This route offers a practical and efficient way to travel between two points within the Northeast region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.5 miles from Jamaica, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 59m into the drive
.
Jamaica is an expansive neighborhood located in eastern Queens. Historically consisting of predominantly black communities, Jamaica now is home to an extremely diverse array of peoples and cultures.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 87.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this 87.1-mile journey. With 86% of the drive on major roadways, you'll cover ground quickly. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is approximately 27 miles on I-684. While it's predominantly highway, the Hutchinson River Parkway offers a slightly different feel before you rejoin I-84. The general character is one of efficient transit, designed for covering distance rather than lingering on scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 684 is the longest continuous segment at about 27 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 684 and Hutchinson River Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.1 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 26.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
26.7 mi into trip|~39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 684 North: Brewster
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 16A
Toward I 684 North: Brewster
7
55.3 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 84 West: Newburgh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 9W
Toward I 84 West: Newburgh
8
70.9 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward Taconic State Parkway North, Albany
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 52B
Toward Taconic State Parkway North, Albany
6
79.1 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward CR 21: Noxon, Lagraneville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 45
Toward CR 21: Noxon, Lagraneville
7
79.7 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|CR 21 / Noxon Road
At end of road, turn right onto CR 21 / Noxon Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Jamaica, NY and Arlington, NY, road signs point toward Taconic State Parkway North, Albany, Cr 21: Noxon and Lagraneville.
Taconic State Parkway North
70.9 mi in|~1h 32m
Albany
70.9 mi in|~1h 32m
Cr 21: Noxon
79.1 mi in|~1h 43m
Lagraneville
79.1 mi in|~1h 43m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 684
27 mi
31m
Hutchinson River Parkway
16 mi
23m
I 84
15.4 mi
18m
Taconic State Parkway
7.7 mi
10m
Van Wyck Expressway
5.7 mi
7m
Noxon Road
5.5 mi
9m
Whitestone Expressway
2 mi
2m
Manchester Road
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 684
— 27 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jamaica, NY and Arlington, NY.
1
Start on Tuskegee Airmen Way
303 ft·17 sec·Tuskegee Airmen Way
2
Turn right onto Pinegrove Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·Pinegrove Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Liberty Avenue
435 ft·13 sec·Liberty Avenue
4
Turn right onto Van Wyck Expressway East
77 ft·1 sec·Van Wyck Expressway East
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway, Whitestone Bridge, Bronx
6
Merge onto I 678
5.7 mi·7 min·Van Wyck Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 678
2.0 mi·2 min·Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi·1 min·Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
9
Continue on I 678
1.2 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on HR
16 mi·23 min·Hutchinson River Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.6 mi·2 min
Exit 16AToward I 684 North: BrewsterUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 684
26 mi·30 min·I 684
13
Continue on I 684
0.8 mi·1 min·I 684
Exit |; 9W|9E
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 9WToward I 84 West: NewburghUse the right lane.
15
Merge onto I 84
15 mi·18 min·I 84
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 52BToward Taconic State Parkway North, AlbanyUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto Taconic State Parkway
7.7 mi·10 min·Taconic State Parkway
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
Exit 45Toward CR 21: Noxon, Lagraneville
19
Turn left onto CR 21
0.4 mi·44 sec·Noxon Road
20
At end of road, turn right onto CR 21
5.1 mi·8 min·Noxon Road
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto NY 55
1.6 mi·2 min·Manchester Road
22
Continue on NY 55
0.6 mi·1 min·Haight Avenue
23
Turn sharp left onto CR 38
330 ft·9 sec·Taft Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
CR 38
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 57-minute duration, this trip is very manageable as a single-day excursion. To make the most of your time, consider departing earlier in the morning to avoid potential traffic on the initial stretches out of the New York City area. With no designated stops in the data, you're free to plan your own breaks. A good strategy would be to take a short 15-20 minute break around the halfway point, perhaps near where I-684 and I-84 meet, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. The low fuel cost of $14 means you likely won't need to worry about extensive gas station stops.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.5 miles from Jamaica, NY, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27 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 19 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.5 miles or 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jamaica, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jamaica, NY
This is one driving day of about 87.1 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Jamaica, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 684 for about 27 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.5 mi from Jamaica, NY
· 59m 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...
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...
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...
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
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...
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...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.1
0
$9.15
$4.18
Efficient EV
21.8
0
$7.62
$3.48
EV Truck/SUV
34.8
0
$12.19
$5.57
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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 as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Jamaica, NY
Evening
in Jamaica on Friday
Local time
7:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Scattered Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy
NE 5 to 9 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Arlington, NY
Evening
in Arlington on Friday
Local time
7:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°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
15 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
1h 57m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Jamaica, NY to Arlington, NY covers 87.1 miles and takes about 1h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 684, Hutchinson River Parkway, I 84. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.5 miles from Jamaica, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.34 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.1 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 26.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Jamaica, NY and Arlington, NY, road signs point toward Taconic State Parkway North, Albany, Cr 21: Noxon and Lagraneville.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
