This 337.9-mile drive from Belfast, NY to Jamaica, NY is designed for a single day, estimated to take around 6 hours and 52 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Southern Tier Expressway and I-81, this highway-focused route offers a straightforward journey across New York State. With a fuel cost estimated at $56, it's an economical option for reaching your destination. The profile suggests a drive where you'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a practical choice if you're looking for efficiency. While there's one recommended stop, the longest stretch without a break is over 140 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly.
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
168.9 miles from Belfast, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Belfast, NY and Jamaica, NY.
1
Start on Chapel Street
179 ft·9 sec·Chapel Street
2
Turn right onto Sherman Street
277 ft·19 sec·Sherman Street
3
Turn left onto NY 19
0.7 mi·1 min·South Main Street
4
Continue on NY 19
3.3 mi·5 min·Transit Hill Road
5
Turn left onto CR 16
2.3 mi·4 min·County Highway 16
6
Continue on West Main Street
1.2 mi·2 min·West Main Street
7
Enter roundabout onto East Main Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·East Main Street
8
Continue on East Main Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·East Main Street
9
Turn right onto Peacock Hill Road
0.4 mi·43 sec·Peacock Hill Road
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
11
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
141 mi·2 hr 44 min·Southern Tier Expressway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
16
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
17
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
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.
19
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.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
23
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
25
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
26
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
28
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
30
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
32
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi·5 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 6AToward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Expressway
35
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi·2 min·Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
36
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi·3 min·Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
37
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.
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 6Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic AvenueUse the right lane.
39
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica AvenueUse the slight right lane.
40
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi·2 min·Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
41
Turn left onto Liberty Avenue
0.2 mi·25 sec·Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
42
Turn right onto Inwood Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·Inwood Street
43
Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way
56 ft·2 sec·Tuskegee Airmen Way
44
Arrive at destination
Tuskegee Airmen Way
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6 hour and 52 minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Belfast, NY, to take advantage of lighter traffic. With a longest stretch of 140.6 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway, plan at least one significant stop for fuel and a break. The estimated fuel cost of $56 makes it a budget-friendly trip, but keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the longer highway segments. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have flexibility; however, planning your longest break around the midway point can help maintain energy levels.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 168.9 miles from Belfast, NY, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.6 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 74 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.9 miles or 3h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 31m
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 Belfast, 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 Belfast, NY
This is one driving day of about 337.9 miles and 6h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Belfast, 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 140.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 202.6 and 336.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
202.6 mi into trip|~4h 2m 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
317.1 mi into trip|~6h 18m 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
317.4 mi into trip|~6h 18m 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
326.6 mi into trip|~6h 32m 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
336.4 mi into trip|~6h 48m 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
$55.62 one way
$111.24 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$60.14
$120.29
premium
$4.92
$65.49
$130.98
diesel
$5.61
$74.60
$149.21
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
$56
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$103–$128
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.4
1
$35.48
$16.22
Efficient EV
84.5
0
$29.57
$13.52
EV Truck/SUV
135.2
1
$47.31
$21.63
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
40 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 20, 2026
Origin
Belfast, NY
Late night
in Belfast on Tuesday
Local time
4:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jamaica, NY
Late night
in Jamaica on Tuesday
Local time
4:52 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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 52m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 326.2
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 326.2
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 337.9
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 314.6
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...
11 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 337.9
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 337.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 337.9-mile trip, with 71% of the drive on major roadways like the Southern Tier Expressway and I-81. This means you'll encounter stretches designed for sustained driving, including a significant 140.6-mile segment on the Southern Tier Expressway. While primarily highway, the route incorporates the Keystone Shortway, which can offer a slightly different driving feel. The overall character is one of consistent forward momentum, with opportunities to cover ground efficiently.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140.6 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 202.6 miles in near US 6.
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 32 significant decision points across 337.9 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 202.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 317.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 317.4 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 Belfast, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.
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 6h 52m. Total distance: 337.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.6 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 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 202.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 317.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 317.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Gateway National Recreation Area (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 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.
