Origin
Jamaica, NY
Evening in Jamaica on Sunday
Local time
5:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jamaica, NY to New York City, NY
Drive Time
27m
Distance
14.8 mi
24 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 25m
★
6 AM
0h 28m
8 AM
0h 32m
10 AM
0h 29m
12 PM
0h 29m
3 PM
0h 30m
5 PM
0h 32m
8 PM
0h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jamaica, NY
Mateusz Walendzik
New York City, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
Traveling the 14.8 miles from Jamaica to New York City is a quick transit that typically takes about 27 minutes. This commute is ideal for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays or complex planning. You will rely primarily on the Van Wyck Expressway, the Long Island Expressway, and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway to navigate the Northeast corridor. With a fuel budget of just $2, this is a highly economical journey. Whether you are heading into the city for work or leisure, the short duration makes it a straightforward drive for any driver comfortable with urban traffic patterns.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
7.4 miles from Jamaica, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances highway speed with urban navigation. Approximately 60% of your time will be spent on major expressways, transitioning between some of the busiest arteries in the region. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 3.6 miles while on the Van Wyck Expressway, which serves as the backbone of the first leg of your trip. The personality of this route is defined by its industrial, high-traffic intensity rather than scenic leisure. Be prepared for constant shifts in road flow as you merge between these three major expressways to reach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 3.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Liberty Avenue.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 14.8 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 0.2 miles (Liberty Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Liberty Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Liberty Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
4.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12B
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
7
8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 17W
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
8
9 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, 48th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, 48th Street
9
11.5 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
Williamsburg Bridge
Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge toward Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 32A
Toward Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Jamaica, NY to New York City, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Manhattan along the way.
Manhattan
11.5 mi in
|
~17m
|
via Williamsburg Bridge
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Van Wyck Expressway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Long Island Expressway | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Brooklyn-Queens Expressway | 2 mi | 3m |
| Williamsburg Bridge | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| Delancey Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Broadway | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Kenmare Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Lafayette Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Van Wyck Expressway
— 3.6 mi, about 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jamaica, NY and New York City, 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
Use the none lane.
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
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Van Wyck Expressway
Use the none / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 12B
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 495
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 17W
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, 48th Street
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 278
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Williamsburg Bridge
Exit 32A
Toward Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Williamsburg Bridge
Use the slight left lane.
15
Continue on Delancey Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Delancey Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on Kenmare Street
0.2 mi
·
57 sec
·
Kenmare Street
17
At end of road, turn left onto Lafayette Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
Lafayette Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Howard Street
510 ft
·
24 sec
·
Howard Street
19
Turn left onto Broadway
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
Use the straight / none lanes.
20
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 27-minute trip, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning around peak traffic hours remains wise. There are no mandatory stops required for this 14.8-mile distance, allowing you to complete the journey in one continuous push. Since fuel costs are minimal at $2, you can easily top off your tank before leaving Jamaica without worrying about your budget. To ensure a smoother experience, stay alert when transitioning between the Van Wyck and the Long Island Expressway, as these junctions see high volumes of vehicles. Keeping a steady pace through these major highway interchanges will help you navigate the route efficiently.
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 7.4 miles from Jamaica, NY, or about 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.6 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 14.8 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.4 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, 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.
+
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 Jamaica, NY
This is one driving day of about 14.8 miles and 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Jamaica, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Van Wyck Expressway for about 3.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.4 mi from Jamaica, NY · 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 7.4 miles from Jamaica, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in New York City, NY
The final approach into New York City, NY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around New York City, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.41 one way
$4.82 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $2.61 | $5.22 |
| premium | $4.88 | $2.85 | $5.69 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.29 | $6.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.55 | $0.71 |
| Efficient EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.30 | $0.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.07 | $0.95 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
New York City, NY
Evening in New York City on Sunday
Local time
5:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
4 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
27m 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 Jamaica, NY to New York City, NY covers 14.8 miles and takes about 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Van Wyck Expressway, Long Island Expressway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.4 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 $2.41 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 demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 14.8 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 0.2 miles (Liberty Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Jamaica, NY to New York City, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Manhattan along the way.
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