Skip to main content

Trip from Ashford, NY to Jamaica, NY

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 44m

Distance

375.7 mi

605 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$61

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
7h 35m ★
6 AM
7h 45m
8 AM
8h 4m
10 AM
7h 51m
12 PM
7h 49m
3 PM
7h 52m
5 PM
8h 3m
8 PM
7h 39m

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

Downtown Ashford, NY, NY

Ashford, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

neighborhood of Queens, New York City, United States

Jamaica, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Ashford, NY to Jamaica, NY is 375.7 miles and takes about 7h 44m via Southern Tier Expressway and I-81, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, traversing the Northeast region. The profile is mostly highway, making it a straightforward drive. With only 2 planned stops and a longest stretch of 164.5 miles, you can cover significant ground efficiently. This route is ideal for a single-day push if you're looking to get to your destination with minimal overnight stays.

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

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

187.9 miles from Ashford, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Southern Tier Expressway 164.5 mi 3h 11m
Keystone Shortway 80 mi 1h 37m
I 81 53.4 mi 1h 3m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
State Highway 16 6.7 mi 10m
Main Street 5.9 mi 8m
Christopher Columbus Highway 5.5 mi 5m
Bakerstand Road 4.7 mi 11m
Longest stretch: Southern Tier Expressway — 164.5 mi, about 3h 11m

Traffic on I-80

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 168 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~4,210 veh/hr typical · worst 4,900

Quietest

1 AM

~430 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

9.8×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on NY 242

4.0 mi · 7 min · State Highway 242
2

Turn right onto CR 17

4.7 mi · 11 min · Bakerstand Road
3

Continue on Elm Street

0.3 mi · 53 sec · Elm Street
4

Turn right onto NY 16; NY 98

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
5

Continue on NY 16; NY 98

5.2 mi · 7 min · State Highway 16
6

Continue on NY 16

5.8 mi · 8 min · Main Street
7

Continue on NY 16

1.5 mi · 2 min · State Highway 16
8

Turn left

0.3 mi · 39 sec
9

Merge onto I 86; NY 17

164 mi · 3 hr 11 min · Southern Tier Expressway
10

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.
11

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.
12

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.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
14

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
15

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

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.
17

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.
18

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.
19

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue
21

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
23

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
24

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
26

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
28

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
30

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.4 mi · 5 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min
Exit 6A Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Merge onto I 678

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hutchinson River Expressway
33

Continue on I 678

1.3 mi · 2 min · Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
34

Continue on I 678

2.3 mi · 3 min · Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
35

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.
36

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 6 Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue Use the right lane.
37

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue Use the slight right lane.
38

Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West

0.9 mi · 2 min · Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
39

Turn left onto Liberty Avenue

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
40

Turn right onto Inwood Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Inwood Street
41

Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way

56 ft · 2 sec · Tuskegee Airmen Way
42

Arrive at destination

Tuskegee Airmen Way

Trip Plan

Given the 7h 44m estimated drive time, leaving early in the morning from Ashford is recommended to make the most of daylight. Plan for your 2 stops strategically; perhaps one mid-morning and another for lunch to break up the 375.7 miles. The longest stretch without a major break is 164.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway, so consider a brief stop before that segment if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $61, and services can be spaced out on some highway sections as you approach your destination.

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187.9 miles from Ashford, NY, or about 3h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 164.5 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 83 miles or 1h 50m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 187.9 miles or 3h 52m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 23m

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 Ashford, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Ashford, NY

This is one driving day of about 375.7 miles and 7h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Ashford, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Southern Tier Expressway for about 164.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

borough in Pennsylvania, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Clarks Summit, PA

188 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

Clyde, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Clarks Summit, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 187.9 miles from Ashford, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 164.5 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 28

5 decision points cluster between mile 240.5 and 374.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
240.5 mi into trip | ~4h 54m 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
355 mi into trip | ~7h 10m 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
355.3 mi into trip | ~7h 11m 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
364.5 mi into trip | ~7h 25m 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
9
374.3 mi into trip | ~7h 41m 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

$61.06 one way

$122.12 round trip

$4.13/gal 25.4 MPG avg 132 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.47 $66.09 $132.18
premium $4.87 $71.97 $143.95
diesel $5.40 $79.92 $159.84

Estimated Tolls: $22.55

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Whitestone Bridge $6.55

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

$61

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$109–$134

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 131.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 112.7 1 $39.45 $18.03
Efficient EV 93.9 1 $32.87 $15.03
EV Truck/SUV 150.3 1 $52.60 $24.04

Gas CO2

131 kg

EV CO2

44 kg (66% 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 24, 2026

Origin

Ashford, NY

Late night in Ashford on Sunday

Local time

5:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

35°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jamaica, NY

Late night in Jamaica on Sunday

Local time

5:27 AM

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

21 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

7h 44m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly highway, with 72% of the 375.7 miles on major roads like the Southern Tier Expressway and I-81. You'll experience a long stretch of 164.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway before transitioning. Expect a consistent cruising pace for most of the trip, with fewer exits and more open road compared to routes with a lower highway percentage. The latter part of the drive may involve more merging as you approach the New York City area.

72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 164.5 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 240.5 miles in near US 6.

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 28 significant decision points across 375.7 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 240.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 355 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 355.3 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 Ashford, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck.

Mt Pocono

240.5 mi in | ~4h 54m | via US 6

Milford

241.2 mi in | ~4h 55m | via I 84; I 380

New York City

355 mi in | ~7h 10m

Leonia

355.3 mi in | ~7h 11m

Teaneck

355.3 mi in | ~7h 11m

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 7h 44m. Total distance: 375.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 44m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 164.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $22.55 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 240.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 355 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 355.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.5 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 US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.