Trip from Washington Heights, NY to Jamaica, NY

Drive Time

1h 46m

Distance

77.4 mi

125 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

28 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

1h 38m ★

6 AM

1h 46m

8 AM

2h 2m

10 AM

1h 52m

12 PM

1h 50m

3 PM

1h 53m

5 PM

2h 1m

8 PM

1h 42m

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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Washington Heights, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Jamaica, NY

Mateusz Walendzik

Trip Overview

The drive from Washington Heights, NY to Jamaica, NY covers 77.4 miles and takes about 1h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on NY 17, NJ 17, New York State Thruway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 18.5 miles on NY 17. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.60 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

38.7 miles from Washington Heights, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 1h 46m highway drive covering 77.4 miles, with most of the trip on NY 17 and NJ 17. The longest continuous stretch is about 18.5 miles on NY 17.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

NY 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 18.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.7 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 77.4 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 20.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 26 key points

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

20.7 mi into trip | ~26m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City

36 mi into trip | ~45m in | NY 17

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey

37.3 mi into trip | ~46m in | NJ 17

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah

66.2 mi into trip | ~1h 26m 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

76 mi into trip | ~1h 42m 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 Along This Route

Between Washington Heights, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany, New York City, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Queens.

Nyst: Albany

20.7 mi in | ~26m

New York City

20.7 mi in | ~26m

Gsp South: Paterson

51.4 mi in | ~1h 5m

Fort Lee

51.4 mi in | ~1h 5m

New York

51.4 mi in | ~1h 5m

Queens

66.2 mi in | ~1h 26m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
NY 17	18.5 mi	21m
NJ 17	14.1 mi	18m
New York State Thruway	13.7 mi	15m
NJ 4	6.7 mi	9m
Cross Bronx Expressway	4.4 mi	5m
Van Wyck Expressway	4.3 mi	6m
Whitestone Expressway	2.3 mi	3m
I 95 EXPR	1.5 mi	2m

Longest stretch: NY 17 — 18.5 mi, about 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

85 ft · 7 sec · this road

Turn right onto NY 17M

0.6 mi · 57 sec · Route 17M

Continue on NY 17M

0.3 mi · 28 sec · North Street

Turn left onto Wisner Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Wisner Avenue

Turn left onto NY 211

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Wickham Avenue

Continue on NY 211

1.3 mi · 2 min · Route 211 East

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the ramp

428 ft · 11 sec

Toward NY 17 East: Goshen, New York City Use the right lane.

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 33 sec · this road

Exit 121W Toward I 84 West: Scranton Use the right lane.

Merge onto NY 17

18 mi · 20 min · NY 17

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 59 sec

Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min

Toward I 87 Toll South: New York City Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 87

14 mi · 15 min · New York State Thruway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17

0.9 mi · 59 sec · NY 17

Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17

14 mi · 18 min · NJ 17

Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec

Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4

Use the right lane.

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec

Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.4 mi · 5 min · Cross Bronx Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min

Exit 6A Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 678

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hutchinson River Expressway

Continue on I 678

1.3 mi · 2 min · Bronx-Whitestone Bridge

Continue on I 678

2.3 mi · 3 min · Whitestone Expressway

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

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.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 6 Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue Use the right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec

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

Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West

0.9 mi · 2 min · Van Wyck Expressway West

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Liberty Avenue

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Liberty Avenue

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn right onto Inwood Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Inwood Street

Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way

56 ft · 2 sec · Tuskegee Airmen Way

Arrive at destination

Tuskegee Airmen Way

Trip Plan

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 38.7 miles from Washington Heights, NY, or about 48m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.5 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 77.4 miles or 1h 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 38.7 miles or 48m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 26m

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 Washington Heights, 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 Washington Heights, NY

This is one driving day of about 77.4 miles and 1h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Washington Heights, 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 NY 17 for about 18.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 38.7 mi from Washington Heights, NY · 48m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

39 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.

Popular next leg

Ramapo, NY to Jamaica, NY

51.7 mi · 1h 11m

Pacing Suggestions

Richmond Hill, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 77.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ramapo, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 38.7 miles from Washington Heights, 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 61.4

View on nps.gov

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 61.4

View on nps.gov

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...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour Free near mile 72.1

View on nps.gov

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 ~21 min detour Free near mile 61.4

View on nps.gov

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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 74.7

View on nps.gov

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...

10 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 72.1

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.60 one way

$25.20 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.48	$13.65	$27.31
premium	$4.88	$14.88	$29.76
diesel	$5.64	$17.20	$34.39

Estimated Tolls: $23.23

George Washington Bridge $16.00

Whitestone Bridge $6.55

New York State Thruway (13.7 mi) $0.68

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

$13

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

28 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Woodbury Common - Tesla Supercharger

Central Valley, NY

Tesla

12 DCFC

QuickChek - Tesla Supercharger

Middletown, NY

Tesla

8 DCFC

Mahwah, NJ - Tesla Supercharger

Mahwah, NJ

Tesla

8 DCFC

Healey Ford - Goshen

Goshen, NY

CHARGESMART_EV

6 DCFC

Mahwah Ford

Mahwah, NJ

CHARGESMART_EV

6 DCFC

1200 MacArthur Blvd Poweral

Mahwah, NJ

RED_E

6 DCFC

Friendly Acura of Middletown

Middletown, NY

Blink Network

4 DCFC

Silverlake Deli

Middletown, NY

VIALYNK

4 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 15 CHARGESMART_EV: 3 Tesla: 3 Blink Network: 2 VIALYNK: 1 Electrify America: 1 eVgo Network: 1 EV Connect: 1 RED_E: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	23.2	$8.13	$3.72
Efficient EV	19.4	$6.77	$3.10
EV Truck/SUV	31	$10.84	$4.95

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 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 data refreshed 3 minutes ago

Origin

Washington Heights, NY

Afternoon in Washington Heights on Monday

Local time

12:05 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jamaica, NY

Afternoon in Jamaica on Monday

Local time

12:05 PM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Partly Sunny

SW 14 to 18 mph 9% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:26AM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 13 at 12:55AM EDT until April 13 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Burlington VT

Along the Route

59°F

Ramapo, NY

39 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

20 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

1h 46m 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 Washington Heights, NY to Jamaica, NY covers 77.4 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are NY 17, NJ 17, New York State Thruway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 38.7 miles from Washington Heights, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.60 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.

Between Washington Heights, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany, New York City, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Queens.

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Return Trip

Jamaica, NY to Washington Heights, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

16.4 mi 26m

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Trip from Washington Heights, NY to Jamaica, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Jamaica, NY

National Parks Near This Route

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

African Burial Ground National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

Federal Hall National Memorial

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Washington Heights, NY

Jamaica, NY

Same local time

20 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 46m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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