Origin
New Hempstead, NY
Late night in New Hempstead on Friday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
1h 1m
Distance
41.2 mi
66 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Fair
3 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Hempstead, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Jamaica, NY
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from New Hempstead, NY to Jamaica, NY covers 41.2 miles and takes about 1h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Palisades Interstate Parkway, Cross Bronx Expressway, Van Wyck Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 23.1 miles on Palisades Interstate Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.78 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 1m. Total distance: 41.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 1h 1m highway drive covering 41.2 miles, with most of the trip on Palisades Interstate Parkway and Cross Bronx Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 23.1 miles on Palisades Interstate Parkway.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Palisades Interstate Parkway and Cross Bronx Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 80 / New Hempstead Road.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 41.2 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (CR 80 / New Hempstead Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 30 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.3 miles (I 678 / Van Wyck Expressway): 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.
Turn left onto CR 80 / New Hempstead Road
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 678 / Van Wyck Expressway toward I 678 South: Kennedy Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from New Hempstead, NY to Jamaica, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Queens along the way.
Queens
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Palisades Interstate Parkway | 23.1 mi | 31m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Van Wyck Expressway | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| Whitestone Expressway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Bronx-Whitestone Bridge | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Van Wyck Expressway West | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Hutchinson River Expressway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Trans-Manhattan Expressway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between New Hempstead, NY and Jamaica, NY.
Start on NY 45
Turn left onto CR 80
Take the ramp
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
Merge onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
Continue on I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95; US 1
Take the exit
Merge onto I 678
Continue on I 678
Continue on I 678
Keep slight left at fork onto I 678
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
Turn left onto Liberty Avenue
Turn right onto Inwood Street
Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.6 mi from New Hempstead, NY · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 20.6 miles from New Hempstead, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$6.78 one way
$13.56 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $7.33 | $14.67 |
| premium | $4.92 | $7.99 | $15.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.10 | $18.19 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.55
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$23
Total
$29
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.33 | $1.98 |
| Efficient EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.61 | $1.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.5 | 0 | $5.77 | $2.64 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Late night in New Hempstead on Friday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Jamaica on Friday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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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