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Trip from New York City, NY to Jamaica, NY

Drive Time

28m

Distance

15 mi

24 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$2

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

9 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 8 min
4 AM
0h 26m ★
6 AM
0h 29m
8 AM
0h 34m
10 AM
0h 30m
12 PM
0h 30m
3 PM
0h 31m
5 PM
0h 33m
8 PM
0h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown New York City, NY, NY

New York City, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Downtown Jamaica, NY, NY

Jamaica, NY

Mateusz Walendzik

Trip Overview

Traveling the 15 miles from New York City to Jamaica, NY, is a quick transit that typically takes about 28 minutes. This highway-focused route utilizes the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, the Long Island Expressway, and the Grand Central Parkway to navigate the Northeast corridor. Because of the short distance, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics, as the entire trip is easily accomplished in a single day. Budgeting around $2 for fuel should be sufficient for this quick hop between boroughs. It is a straightforward, functional drive that prioritizes efficiency over leisure, making it ideal for those looking to reach their destination with minimal fuss.

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

7.5 miles from New York City, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a high-speed experience, as 65% of your journey takes place on major highways. You will spend your time navigating through a dense urban infrastructure rather than open country roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 4.4-mile segment along the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, which serves as the backbone of this trip. Because the route is entirely highway-focused, you should be prepared for the constant flow of metropolitan traffic. The transition between the three primary parkways and expressways is frequent, requiring you to stay alert through the various merges and interchanges.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 4.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

58 ft 14 ft

Total Climb

66 ft

Total Descent

68 ft

Highest Point

58 ft

~1.9 mi in

Elevation Range

45 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and Long Island Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

Complex — stay alert throughout

This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 15 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 6.3 miles: Exit ramp — move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one; at 6.6 miles: Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 29 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
6.3 mi into trip | ~13m in

Exit ramp — move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 35A-B Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Isla...
10
6.5 mi into trip | ~13m in

Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left / none lanes. Exit 35B Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhe...
9
6.6 mi into trip | ~13m in

Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Exit 35E Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhe...
9
13.4 mi into trip | ~24m in

Exit ramp — move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 6 Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlanti...
9
13.6 mi into trip | ~25m in

Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue

Towns Along This Route

Between New York City, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Cadman Plaza West, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway East, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Eastern Long Island, 48Th Street and 48 Street — among others.

Cadman Plaza West

1.3 mi in | ~3m

Brooklyn-Queens Expressway East

1.4 mi in | ~4m

Brooklyn-Queens Expressway

1.7 mi in | ~5m

Eastern Long Island

6.3 mi in | ~13m

48Th Street

6.3 mi in | ~13m

48 Street

6.4 mi in | ~13m

Riverhead

6.5 mi in | ~13m

Van Wyck Expressway

10.6 mi in | ~20m

Grand Central Parkway East

10.8 mi in | ~20m

Kennedy Airport

12.4 mi in | ~22m

Hillside Avenue

13.4 mi in | ~24m

Jamaica Avenue

13.4 mi in | ~24m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway 4.4 mi 7m
Long Island Expressway 2.9 mi 4m
Grand Central Parkway 1.4 mi 1m
Brooklyn Bridge 1.1 mi 2m
Van Wyck Expressway West 0.9 mi 2m
Van Wyck Expressway 0.3 mi <1m
Prospect Street 0.2 mi <1m
Liberty Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway — 4.4 mi, about 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Jamaica, NY.

1

Start on Broadway

79 ft · 10 sec · Broadway
2

Turn left onto Chambers Street

0.1 mi · 36 sec · Chambers Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
3

Turn right onto Centre Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Centre Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
4

Continue on Brooklyn Bridge

1.1 mi · 2 min · Brooklyn Bridge
5

Take the exit

343 ft · 9 sec
Toward I 278: Brooklyn Queens Expressway, Cadman Plaza West Use the right lane.
6

Turn right

254 ft · 9 sec
Toward I 278: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
7

Turn right onto Cadman Plaza West

31 ft · 1 sec · Cadman Plaza West
8

Turn slight right

223 ft · 8 sec
Toward Brooklyn-Queens Expressway East
9

Turn slight right onto Prospect Street

0.2 mi · 52 sec · Prospect Street
Use the right lane.
10

Turn right onto Jay Street

276 ft · 17 sec · Jay Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

At end of road, turn left onto Sands Street

56 ft · 2 sec · Sands Street
Use the left lane.
12

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 278 East: Triborough Bridge, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 278

3.6 mi · 5 min · Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Use the none lane.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 278

0.8 mi · 1 min · Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 35A-B Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, 48th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 18 sec · this road
Exit 35 Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, 48 Street
17

Keep slight right at fork

308 ft · 8 sec
Exit 35B Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhead, 48th Street Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 35E Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island, Riverhead Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 495 East: Eastern Long Island Use the none lane.
20

Merge onto I 495

2.9 mi · 4 min · Long Island Expressway
Use the none lane.
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 22A-E Toward I 678: Grand Central Parkway, Van Wyck Expressway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 22A Toward Grand Central Parkway East
23

Merge onto GCP

1.4 mi · 1 min · Grand Central Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 13 Toward I 678 South: Van Wyck Expressway, Kennedy Airport
25

Merge onto I 678

0.3 mi · 25 sec · Van Wyck Expressway
26

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 6 Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue Use the right lane.
27

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue Use the slight right lane.
28

Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West

0.9 mi · 2 min · Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
29

Turn left onto Liberty Avenue

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
30

Turn right onto Inwood Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Inwood Street
Use the none lane.
31

Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way

56 ft · 2 sec · Tuskegee Airmen Way
32

Arrive at destination

Tuskegee Airmen Way

Trip Plan

Since this is a brief 15-mile excursion, you have significant flexibility in your departure schedule, though traffic patterns in this region can be unpredictable. You can complete the drive without any planned stops, allowing you to head straight to your destination in Jamaica. Keep a close eye on navigation apps to manage the transitions between the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and the Long Island Expressway, as these junctions can be complex. Given the short duration and low fuel cost, your primary focus should be on timing your departure to avoid peak congestion hours. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your arrival time precisely.

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 7.5 miles from New York City, NY, or about 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 4.4 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 15 miles or 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 7.5 miles or 15m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jamaica, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving New York City, 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 New York City, NY

This is one driving day of about 15 miles and 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from New York City, 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 Brooklyn-Queens Expressway for about 4.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 7.5 mi from New York City, NY · 15m into the drive

Downtown East New York, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

East New York, NY

8 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

Richmond Hill, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

East New York, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 7.5 miles from New York City, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Jamaica, NY

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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...

0 mi from route Free
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

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...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 0.5
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

1 mi from route ~1 min detour Free near mile 0.5
View on nps.gov
Governors Island National Monument

Governors Island National Monument

National Monument

From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...

1 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 1
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Statue Of Liberty National Monument

Statue Of Liberty National Monument

National Monument

A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$2.37 one way

$4.74 round trip

$4.01/gal 25.4 MPG avg 5 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $2.65 $5.29
premium $4.86 $2.87 $5.74
diesel $4.69 $2.77 $5.54

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.

EV Charging Along Route

9 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Newport Centre - Tesla Supercharger

Jersey City, NJ

Tesla

20 DCFC

Simon Newport Centre (Jersey City, NJ)

Jersey City, NJ

Electrify America

6 DCFC

The Oakman - Tesla Supercharger

Jersey City, NJ

Tesla

6 DCFC

Brookfield Place - Tesla Supercharger

New York, NY

Tesla

4 DCFC

Newport Centre Mall

Jersey City, NJ

eVgo Network

2 DCFC

EV 01 EV 03 STATION2

Jersey City, NJ

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

DT&P HOBOKEN DC1

Hoboken, NJ

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

EV 01 EV 03 STATION1

Jersey City, NJ

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 4 Tesla: 3 Electrify America: 1 eVgo Network: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 4.5 0 $1.58 $0.72
Efficient EV 3.8 0 $1.31 $0.60
EV Truck/SUV 6 0 $2.10 $0.96

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.

Forecast data refreshed 17 minutes ago

Origin

New York City, NY

Evening in New York City on Sunday

Local time

7:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Mostly Sunny

SE 14 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Destination

Jamaica, NY

Evening in Jamaica on Sunday

Local time

7:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°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

2 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

28m 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 New York City, NY to Jamaica, NY covers 15 miles and takes about 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Long Island Expressway, Grand Central Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.5 miles from New York City, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.37 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 29 significant decision points across 15 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 6.3 miles: Exit ramp — move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one; at 6.6 miles: Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one.
Between New York City, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Cadman Plaza West, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway East, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Eastern Long Island, 48Th Street and 48 Street — among others.

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Return Trip

Jamaica, NY to New York City, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

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