This 112.7-mile drive from Tusten, NY to Jamaica, NY is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 2 hours and 40 minutes. With a fuel cost of approximately $19, it’s an economical choice for a quick getaway or transit. The route is largely highway-focused, making it a straightforward journey, though there is one designated stop recommended along the way. You'll be spending about 64% of your time on highways, so expect a good balance of faster travel and local road segments. This drive is perfect if you're looking for an efficient way to get from the Northeast region of New York to another part of the same state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
56.3 miles from Tusten, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 112.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for about 64% of this 112.7-mile route. The drive features a significant uninterrupted stretch of 28.2 miles on State Route 97, offering a good period of consistent travel. You'll also navigate sections of NJ 23 and Walling Avenue, which may introduce more varied road conditions and lower speed limits compared to the main highways. The overall character leans towards efficient travel, with the potential for quicker progress on the highway portions before transitioning to more local road segments as you approach 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 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Route 97 is the longest continuous segment at about 28.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Route 97 and NJ 23. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 92 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 112.7 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 92 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
92 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
92.3 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
8
101.4 mi into trip|~2h 20m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6A
Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens
8
111 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
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
Use the right lane.
Exit 6
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlanti...
9
111.3 mi into trip|~2h 36m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tusten, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Clifton, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck, George Washington Bridge Upper Level and Queens.
Clifton
77.4 mi in|~1h 50m
New York City
92 mi in|~2h 6m
Leonia
92.3 mi in|~2h 6m
Teaneck
92.3 mi in|~2h 6m
George Washington Bridge Upper Level
94.5 mi in|~2h 11m
Queens
101.4 mi in|~2h 20m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Route 97
28.2 mi
41m
NJ 23
18.8 mi
25m
Walling Avenue
18.1 mi
27m
Christopher Columbus Highway
14 mi
15m
Paterson - Hamburg Turnpike
9.8 mi
11m
Cross Bronx Expressway
4.4 mi
5m
Van Wyck Expressway
4.3 mi
6m
Whitestone Expressway
2.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
State Route 97
— 28.2 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tusten, NY and Jamaica, NY.
1
Start on Crawford Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Crawford Road
2
Turn sharp right onto NY 97
28 mi·41 min·State Route 97
3
Continue on NY 42; NY 97
1.9 mi·2 min·West Main Street
4
Turn right onto CR 15
0.4 mi·31 sec·CR 15
5
Continue on NJ 23
13 mi·17 min·NJ 23
6
Continue on NJ 23
18 mi·27 min·Walling Avenue
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on NJ 23
9.8 mi·11 min·Paterson - Hamburg Turnpike
8
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 23
6.2 mi·7 min·NJ 23
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
297 ft·7 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 46 East: New York, Clifton
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 80 East: New YorkUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 80
8.5 mi·9 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
17
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
19
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
20
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
22
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
24
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
26
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi·5 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 6AToward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Expressway
29
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi·2 min·Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
30
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi·3 min·Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 678
4.3 mi·6 min·Van Wyck Expressway
Toward I 678 South: Kennedy AirportUse the slight left lane.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 6Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic AvenueUse the right lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica AvenueUse the slight right lane.
34
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi·2 min·Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Turn left onto Liberty Avenue
0.2 mi·25 sec·Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
36
Turn right onto Inwood Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·Inwood Street
37
Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way
56 ft·2 sec·Tuskegee Airmen Way
38
Arrive at destination
Tuskegee Airmen Way
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 40 minutes for this 112.7-mile trip, you have flexibility with departure times. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid peak rush hour traffic, especially as you get closer to Jamaica, NY. The estimated fuel cost of $19 is quite reasonable, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this drive without needing to split it into multiple days. Keep an eye out for transitions between State Route 97, NJ 23, and Walling Avenue as these may signal changes in speed limits and road type.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 56.3 miles from Tusten, NY, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.2 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 25 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.3 miles or 1h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 7m
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 Tusten, 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 Tusten, NY
This is one driving day of about 112.7 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Tusten, 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 State Route 97 for about 28.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.3 mi from Tusten, NY
· 1h 23m into the drive
The midpoint is around 56.3 miles from Tusten, 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 109.3
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 109.3
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 122.4
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 122.4
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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 122.4
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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 122.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.55 one way
$37.10 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$20.06
$40.12
premium
$4.92
$21.84
$43.69
diesel
$5.61
$24.88
$49.77
Estimated Tolls: $23.24
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Whitestone Bridge
$6.55
Paterson - Hamburg Turnpike
(9.8 mi)$0.69
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
$19
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.8
0
$11.83
$5.41
Efficient EV
28.2
0
$9.86
$4.51
EV Truck/SUV
45.1
0
$15.78
$7.21
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% 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 as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Tusten, NY
Evening
in Tusten on Friday
Local time
7:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jamaica, NY
Evening
in Jamaica on Friday
Local time
7:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 6 to 12 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
57°F
Ramapo, NY
56 mi in
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
46 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
2h 40m 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 Tusten, NY to Jamaica, NY covers 112.7 miles and takes about 2h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Route 97, NJ 23, Walling Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.3 miles from Tusten, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.55 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 112.7 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 92 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Tusten, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Clifton, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck, George Washington Bridge Upper Level and Queens.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and African Burial Ground National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
