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Trip from Worcester, NY to Jamaica, NY

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

Drive Time

4h 6m

Distance

186.1 mi

299 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 54m ★
6 AM
4h 7m
8 AM
4h 33m
10 AM
4h 16m
12 PM
4h 13m
3 PM
4h 17m
5 PM
4h 31m
8 PM
3h 59m

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

Downtown Worcester, NY, NY

Worcester, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

neighborhood of Queens, New York City, United States

Jamaica, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Worcester, NY to Jamaica, NY is 186.1 miles and takes about 4h 6m via New York State Thruway, State Highway 145, and I 88, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, same-day trip entirely within New York, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. You'll experience a mixed drive that's mostly highway, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this route if you need a reliable way to cover the distance without extensive detours, with a clear understanding of the time and cost involved.

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

93 miles from Worcester, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 70.5 mi 1h 21m
State Highway 145 35 mi 50m
I 88 17.9 mi 20m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
State Highway 32 9.2 mi 13m
King's Highway 6.8 mi 9m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Cross Bronx Expressway 4.4 mi 5m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 70.5 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on CR 39

39 ft · 1 sec · South Hill Road
2

Turn right onto NY 7

1.0 mi · 1 min · Main Street
3

Turn right onto Hollenbeck Road

0.4 mi · 54 sec · Hollenbeck Road
4

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec
5

Merge onto I 88

18 mi · 20 min · I 88
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Exit 22 Toward NY 7, NY 145: Cobleskill, Middleburgh
7

Turn right onto NY 145

7.4 mi · 10 min · State Highway 145
8

At end of road, turn left onto NY 30; NY 145

291 ft · 8 sec · State Highway 30
9

Continue on NY 30; NY 145

1.2 mi · 2 min · Main Street
10

Continue on NY 145

28 mi · 40 min · State Highway 145
11

Turn straight onto NY 23

1.5 mi · 2 min · State Highway 23
12

Turn right onto NY 32

9.2 mi · 13 min · State Highway 32
13

Continue on NY 32

6.8 mi · 9 min · King's Highway
14

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
15

Merge onto I 87

71 mi · 1 hr 21 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

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.
17

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
18

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.
19

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
20

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
21

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4
Use the right lane.
22

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
26

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
28

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.4 mi · 5 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min
Exit 6A Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Merge onto I 678

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hutchinson River Expressway
31

Continue on I 678

1.3 mi · 2 min · Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
32

Continue on I 678

2.3 mi · 3 min · Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
33

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.
34

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 6 Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue Use the right lane.
35

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue Use the slight right lane.
36

Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West

0.9 mi · 2 min · Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
37

Turn left onto Liberty Avenue

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
38

Turn right onto Inwood Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Inwood Street
39

Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way

56 ft · 2 sec · Tuskegee Airmen Way
40

Arrive at destination

Tuskegee Airmen Way

Trip Plan

Given this is a single-day trip of just over 4 hours, you have flexibility in your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive with plenty of daylight. The route includes one stop, which is ample for a drive of this length, so plan for a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before the longest stretch on the New York State Thruway, as services can be spread out. The $31 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you go.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 93 miles from Worcester, NY, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.5 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 41 miles or 56m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 93 miles or 2h 5m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 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 Worcester, 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 Worcester, NY

This is one driving day of about 186.1 miles and 4h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Worcester, 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 New York State Thruway for about 70.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

93 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

Greenville, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New Paltz, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93 miles from Worcester, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.5 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 27

5 decision points cluster between mile 144.6 and 184.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
144.6 mi into trip | ~3h 5m 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
8
146 mi into trip | ~3h 7m 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
8
174.8 mi into trip | ~3h 46m 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
184.4 mi into trip | ~4h 2m 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
184.7 mi into trip | ~4h 3m 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

$30.63 one way

$61.27 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 65 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $33.12 $66.25
premium $4.92 $36.07 $72.14
diesel $5.61 $41.09 $82.18

Estimated Tolls: $26.08

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Whitestone Bridge $6.55
New York State Thruway (70.5 mi) $3.53

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

$31

Tolls

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$82–$107

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 55.8 0 $19.54 $8.93
Efficient EV 46.5 0 $16.28 $7.44
EV Truck/SUV 74.4 0 $26.05 $11.91

Gas CO2

65 kg

EV CO2

22 kg (66% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Worcester, NY

Afternoon in Worcester on Saturday

Local time

4:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

38°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jamaica, NY

Afternoon in Jamaica on Saturday

Local time

4:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Ramapo, NY

93 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

18 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

4h 6m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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.

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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 166.8
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 166.8
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 179.7
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 ~24 min detour Free near mile 179.7
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...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 179.7
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 186.1
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This drive offers a mixed profile, with 54% of it being on highways like the New York State Thruway and I 88. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 70.5 miles on the New York State Thruway, providing a good opportunity for consistent speed. The journey begins on State Highway 145, likely offering a different driving feel before merging onto the faster-paced Thruway. Expect a dynamic experience as you transition between these road types, moving from potentially more local roads to longer, uninterrupted highway segments.

54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.5 mi on New York State Thruway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 144.6 miles in near NY 17.

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 27 significant decision points across 186.1 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 144.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Worcester, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Middleburgh, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Queens.

Middleburgh

19.7 mi in | ~24m

Gsp South: Paterson

160.1 mi in | ~3h 25m

Fort Lee

160.1 mi in | ~3h 25m

New York

160.1 mi in | ~3h 25m

Queens

174.8 mi in | ~3h 46m

About the Cities

Starting in Worcester, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1788

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 4h 6m. Total distance: 186.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 70.5 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $26.08 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 144.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Jamaica, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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Explore More

Return Trip

Jamaica, NY to Worcester, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

186.2 mi 4h 4m

Explore more options from Worcester, NY or browse trips ending in Jamaica, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.