Drive or Fly: Jamaica, NY to Hilton, NY?

Side-by-side comparison of driving versus flying for this route. Costs, time, and trade-offs at a glance.

Driving wins

Medium

Short enough to drive comfortably in a day. Airport overhead makes flying slower door-to-door. Available flights require a connection, adding time and cost.

Passengers:

Vehicle:

Find Your Vehicle (EPA fuel economy data)

Drive

Door to Door

7h 26m

Distance

344.9 mi

Total Cost

$100

CO2

139 kg

Cost Breakdown

Diesel$65

Hotel (1 room, 0 nights) $0

Meals (1 pax, 1 day) $35

+ No luggage restrictions or TSA lines

+ Comfortable one-day drive

+ Stop anywhere along the route

+ Have your own car at the destination

+ Likely faster door-to-door than flying

− Wear and tear on vehicle

− Fuel price fluctuations

Plan the drive

Fly

Door to Door

3h 3m

33m in the air

Air Distance

272 mi

Total Cost

$186

CO2

69 kg

Door-to-Door Timeline

Jamaica, NY → JFK 10m

Check-in & Security 90m

Flight 33m

Arrival & Baggage 30m

ROC → Hilton, NY 20m

Cost Breakdown

Ticket (1 pax @ $131) $131

Rental car (1 day)$55

Airports

Jamaica, NY JFK — John F. Kennedy International Airport 4 mi, ~10m drive

Hilton, NY ROC — Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport 13 mi, ~20m drive

Flight Data

Service

Connecting only

On-Time

97.6%

Cancellation

2.4%

+ Saves about 4h 23m compared to driving

+ Less physical fatigue

+ Predictable arrival time

− Airport security and check-in overhead

− May need a rental car at destination

− Luggage fees and restrictions

− Less flexibility for stops along the way

Train

Amtrak

Door to Door

8h 44m

7h 4m on rail

Total Cost

$50

CO2

20 kg

Route

Empire Service

Door-to-Door Timeline

Jamaica, NY → Ny Moynihan Train Hall At Penn Station (NYP) 30m

Boarding 30m

Train ride 424m

Arrival 10m

Rochester (ROC) → Hilton, NY 30m

Cost Breakdown

Ticket (1 pax @ $50) $50

Estimated based on distance. Check amtrak.com for current prices.

Stations

From NYP — Ny Moynihan Train Hall At Penn Station 0 mi, ~30m drive

To ROC — Rochester 0 mi, ~30m drive

Service

Direct

Frequency

~8/week

+ Spacious seating with legroom and power outlets

+ Walk around freely during the trip

+ Scenic views along the route

+ No driving fatigue — relax or work en route

+ Much lower carbon footprint than driving or flying

− Limited schedule — about 8 trips per week

− Amtrak delays can be unpredictable

− Need transportation to/from station

− Less flexibility than driving

At a Glance

	Drive	Fly	Train
Door-to-door time	7h 26m	3h 3m	8h 44m
Total cost (1 person)	$100	$186	$50
Carbon footprint	139 kg CO₂	69 kg CO₂	20 kg CO₂
Flexibility	High	Low
Luggage	Unlimited	Restricted
Reliability	Weather dependent	98% on-time

Drive data: OSRM routing, EIA fuel prices

Flight data: Statistical estimate

Airports: OurAirports

Transit: Amtrak GTFS — fares estimated

Confidence: Medium — airports identified, fares estimated

Costs are estimates. Actual flight prices vary by airline, date, and booking time. Drive costs based on OSRM routing, EIA fuel prices. Computed Jul 20, 2026.

Route Options

2 different routes between these cities.

Fastest

344.9 mi 7h 26m

via I 81, I 80, I 90

Alternative (+33 min)

393.9 mi 7h 59m

via I 80, US 15, I 390

Decided to drive? See the full trip plan from Jamaica, NY to Hilton, NY with stops, fuel costs, and turn-by-turn directions.