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Create accountDrive Time
22m
Distance
12.2 mi
20 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kensington, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Jamaica, NY
Mateusz Walendzik
Spanning just 12.2 miles, this short trek between Kensington and Jamaica, NY, is a straightforward trip that fits easily into a single day. You can expect a quick transit time of approximately 22 minutes, making it an ideal choice if you need to navigate between these two Northeast hubs efficiently. With a total fuel cost of only $2, it is an incredibly budget-friendly drive. Because the distance is so manageable, there is no need to plan for overnight stays or complex logistics. Whether you are running errands or heading to an appointment, this route offers a practical, no-nonsense connection within the region.
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
6.1 miles from Kensington, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .
This trip features a mixed driving profile, alternating between local surface streets and faster expressway segments. You will spend about 31% of your time on highways, providing a balance between steady traffic flow and neighborhood navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 3.8-mile run along Linden Boulevard, which serves as a primary artery for your journey. As you transition from the local streets of Church Avenue onto the Nassau Expressway, the driving rhythm shifts from stop-and-go city pace to a more consistent highway speed. Expect a functional drive that prioritizes directness over scenery as you make your way across the borough.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
50 ft
Total Descent
55 ft
Highest Point
53 ft
~0.5 mi in
Elevation Range
43 ft
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 7.8 miles in near NY 878 / Nassau Expressway.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 12.2 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 7.8 miles (NY 878 / Nassau Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 878 / Nassau Expressway toward NY 878 East: Nassau Expressway, Van Wyck Expressway, Kennedy Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 678 North: Bronx, Whitestone Bridge, Van Wyck Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward Rockaway Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Liberty Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Kensington, NY to Jamaica, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Kennedy Airport along the way.
Kennedy Airport
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Linden Boulevard | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| Church Avenue | 2.9 mi | 7m |
| Nassau Expressway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Van Wyck Expressway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| South Conduit Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Inwood Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Liberty Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Van Wyck Expressway East | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kensington, NY and Jamaica, NY.
Start on Albemarle Road
Turn right onto Coney Island Avenue
Turn right onto Church Avenue
Turn right onto Linden Boulevard
Take the ramp
Merge onto NY 27
Continue on NY 27
Continue on NY 27
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 878
Take the exit
Merge onto I 678
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 678
Take the exit
Continue on Van Wyck Expressway East
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
Turn right onto Inwood Street
Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way
Arrive at destination
Since this is a short 22-minute journey, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should always check live traffic reports before heading out. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, as the entire 12.2-mile distance is easily completed in one go. Keep your $2 fuel budget in mind, as it is a minimal expense for such a quick trip. Given that you will be navigating a mix of local roads and expressways, remain alert during the transitions between Church Avenue and the Nassau Expressway. If you find yourself hitting heavy traffic, remember that the brevity of the route means you are never far from your final destination in Jamaica.
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.
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 12.2 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.1 miles or 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jamaica, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Kensington, 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 Kensington, NY
This is one driving day of about 12.2 miles and 22m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.1 mi from Kensington, NY · 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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.
A short stop after about 12.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 6.1 miles from Kensington, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Jamaica, 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 Jamaica, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$1.99 one way
$3.97 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $2.15 | $4.30 |
| premium | $4.88 | $2.35 | $4.69 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.71 | $5.42 |
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: 4.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.28 | $0.59 |
| Efficient EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.07 | $0.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.71 | $0.78 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Kensington on Sunday
Local time
11:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Clear
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 2:05PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Night in Jamaica on Sunday
Local time
11:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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