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Trip from Orleans, NY to Jamaica, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 30m

Distance

302.5 mi

487 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 18m ★
6 AM
6h 30m
8 AM
6h 55m
10 AM
6h 39m
12 PM
6h 36m
3 PM
6h 40m
5 PM
6h 53m
8 PM
6h 23m

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

neighborhood of Queens, New York City, United States

Jamaica, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Orleans, NY to Jamaica, NY covers 302.5 miles and takes about 6h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 81, Keystone Shortway, I 380 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 98.8 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.79 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

151.2 miles from Orleans, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 21m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 98.8 mi 1h 57m
Keystone Shortway 80 mi 1h 37m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
East Lake Road 9.9 mi 14m
State Highway 41 9.8 mi 13m
Clark Street Road 9.6 mi 11m
New York State Thruway 6.3 mi 7m
Christopher Columbus Highway 5.5 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Orleans, NY and Jamaica, NY.

1

Start on Main Street Orleans

371 ft · 18 sec · Main Street Orleans
2

Turn left onto Waddell Road

202 ft · 6 sec · Waddell Road
3

Turn right onto NY 488

0.5 mi · 40 sec · State Highway 488
4

Continue on NY 488

2.8 mi · 4 min · State Highway 488
5

At end of road, turn right onto NY 96

1.1 mi · 1 min · State Route 96
6

Continue on NY 96

1.4 mi · 2 min · Main Street
7

Continue on NY 96

1.9 mi · 2 min · State Route 96
8

Continue on NY 96

1.9 mi · 2 min · State Highway 96
9

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward Lyons
10

Merge onto NY 14

0.4 mi · 35 sec · NY 14
Use the left lane.
11

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Use the left lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
13

Merge onto I 90

6.3 mi · 7 min · New York State Thruway
14

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 58 sec
Exit 41 Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde Use the slight right lane.
15

Keep slight right at fork

327 ft · 7 sec
16

Continue on NY 414

0.3 mi · 35 sec · State Route 414
17

Turn left onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318
Use the left lane.
18

At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
19

Continue on US 20; NY 5

9.6 mi · 11 min · Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
20

Turn right onto State Street

226 ft · 12 sec · State Street
21

Turn left onto Dill Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Dill Street
22

Continue on Loop Road

458 ft · 16 sec · Loop Road
23

Turn left onto Genesee Street

5.5 mi · 9 min · Genesee Street
24

Continue on US 20

2.2 mi · 4 min · West Genesee Street Road
25

Turn right onto NY 41

0.5 mi · 45 sec · East Lake Street
26

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road
27

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
28

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road
29

Continue on NY 41

9.8 mi · 13 min · State Highway 41
30

Turn right onto NY 281

1.2 mi · 2 min · North West Street
31

Take the ramp

0.7 mi · 1 min
Use the left lane.
32

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
33

Merge onto I 81

45 mi · 54 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.
35

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 6
Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
36

Continue on I 84; I 380

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford Use the straight lane.
37

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
38

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
39

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 5 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level Use the slight right lane.
41

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.
43

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue
45

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
46

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
47

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
48

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
50

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
52

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
53

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
54

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.4 mi · 5 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
55

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min
Exit 6A Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens Use the straight / slight right lanes.
56

Merge onto I 678

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hutchinson River Expressway
57

Continue on I 678

1.3 mi · 2 min · Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
58

Continue on I 678

2.3 mi · 3 min · Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
59

Keep slight left at fork onto I 678

4.3 mi · 6 min · Van Wyck Expressway
Toward I 678 South: Kennedy Airport Use the slight left lane.
60

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 6 Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue Use the right lane.
61

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue Use the slight right lane.
62

Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West

0.9 mi · 2 min · Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
63

Turn left onto Liberty Avenue

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
64

Turn right onto Inwood Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Inwood Street
65

Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way

56 ft · 2 sec · Tuskegee Airmen Way
66

Arrive at destination

Tuskegee Airmen Way

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 151.2 miles from Orleans, NY, or about 3h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 67 miles or 1h 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 151.2 miles or 3h 21m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 15m

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 Orleans, 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 Orleans, NY

This is one driving day of about 302.5 miles and 6h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Orleans, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 98.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Broome County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vestal, NY

151 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

Homer, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Binghamton, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 151.2 miles from Orleans, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 44

5 decision points cluster between mile 16.9 and 301 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
16.9 mi into trip | ~23m in

Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde

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 41 Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
167.2 mi into trip | ~3h 40m in | US 6

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
281.7 mi into trip | ~5h 56m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
282 mi into trip | ~5h 56m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck
9
301 mi into trip | ~6h 26m in

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

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$49.79 one way

$99.59 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 106 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $53.84 $107.69
premium $4.92 $58.63 $117.26
diesel $5.61 $66.79 $133.58

Estimated Tolls: $22.87

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Whitestone Bridge $6.55
New York State Thruway (6.3 mi) $0.32

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$50

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$98–$123

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 105.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 90.8 1 $31.76 $14.52
Efficient EV 75.6 0 $26.47 $12.10
EV Truck/SUV 121 1 $42.35 $19.36

Gas CO2

106 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Orleans, NY

Afternoon in Orleans on Saturday

Local time

1:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jamaica, NY

Afternoon in Jamaica on Saturday

Local time

1:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°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

13 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

6h 30m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 31.3
View on nps.gov
Women's Rights National Historical Park

Women's Rights National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 20.9
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

5 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 281.6
View on nps.gov
Hamilton Grange National Memorial

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...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Free near mile 281.6
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...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour Free near mile 281.6
View on nps.gov
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...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 281.6
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

302.5 mi in 6h 30m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 56% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
66 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 81.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 44 significant decision points across 302.5 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 16.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 167.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 281.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Orleans, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.

Clyde

16.9 mi in | ~23m

Mt Pocono

167.2 mi in | ~3h 40m | via US 6

Milford

167.9 mi in | ~3h 41m | via I 84; I 380

New York City

281.7 mi in | ~5h 56m

Leonia

282 mi in | ~5h 56m

Teaneck

282 mi in | ~5h 56m

George Washington Bridge Upper Level

284.3 mi in | ~6h

About the Cities

Arriving in Jamaica, NY

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 30m. Total distance: 302.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $22.87 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Jamaica, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 16.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 167.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 281.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Women's Rights National Historical Park and General Grant National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Jamaica, NY before the return drive.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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