Origin
Catskill, NY
Afternoon in Catskill on Sunday
Local time
3:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Catskill, NY to Jamaica, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 44m
Distance
128.4 mi
207 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 34m
★
6 AM
2h 44m
8 AM
3h 6m
10 AM
2h 52m
12 PM
2h 50m
3 PM
2h 53m
5 PM
3h 5m
8 PM
2h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Catskill, NY
Matteo Milan
Jamaica, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Catskill, NY to Jamaica, NY is 128.4 miles and takes about 2h 44m via New York State Thruway and NJ 17, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily traversing New York before entering New Jersey and returning to New York. Given the relatively short distance and duration, it's a straightforward drive, suitable for a single day. Plan for a mix of highway and surface roads, so be prepared for varying traffic conditions. The fuel cost estimate makes budgeting simple for this drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
64.2 miles from Catskill, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 83.1 mi | 1h 35m |
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| 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 |
| State Highway 23 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 83.1 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Catskill, NY and Jamaica, NY.
1
Start on Main Street
134 ft
·
8 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto NY 385
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Bridge Street
3
Turn left onto NY 385
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Spring Street
4
Turn left onto NY 23
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 23
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward NYST, I 87: Jefferson Heights, Leeds
6
Turn right onto CR 23B
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
CR 23B
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward NYST, I 87
8
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
this road
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 87 South: NY City
10
Merge onto I 87
83 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
13
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.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
16
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
NJ 4
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
21
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
23
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 6A
Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Hutchinson River Expressway
26
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
27
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
28
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.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 6
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue
Use the right lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
31
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn left onto Liberty Avenue
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
33
Turn right onto Inwood Street
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Inwood Street
34
Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way
56 ft
·
2 sec
·
Tuskegee Airmen Way
35
Arrive at destination
Tuskegee Airmen Way
Trip Plan
For this 128.4-mile drive, leaving in the morning is advisable to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach the New York City metropolitan area. With a 2h 44m estimated duration, you likely won't need many stops, but there's flexibility to pull over if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $21. A good place to consider a brief break might be around the transition from the New York State Thruway to NJ 17, as this is a natural point to assess your progress and reorient yourself before the latter half of the trip.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.2 miles from Catskill, NY, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.1 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 28 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.2 miles or 1h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 8m
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 Catskill, 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 Catskill, NY
This is one driving day of about 128.4 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Catskill, 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 83.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64.2 miles from Catskill, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.1 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 255 decision points cluster between mile 86.9 and 127 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
86.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m 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
88.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m 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
117.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m 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
126.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m 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
127 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m 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
$20.87 one way
$41.74 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $22.59 | $45.17 |
| premium | $4.87 | $24.60 | $49.20 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $27.31 | $54.63 |
Estimated Tolls: $26.71
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Whitestone Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(83.1 mi)
$4.16
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
$21
Tolls
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.5 | 0 | $13.48 | $6.16 |
| Efficient EV | 32.1 | 0 | $11.24 | $5.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.4 | 0 | $17.98 | $8.22 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Jamaica, NY
Afternoon in Jamaica on Sunday
Local time
3:40 PM
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
15 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
2h 44m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
About 30% of this route is on highways. You'll experience an 83.1-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway, offering a consistent cruising experience. After this, you'll transition to NJ 17 and NJ 4, which are surface roads. Expect a noticeable change in pace and potentially more frequent exits as you move from the Thruway to these roads.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.1 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 86.9 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 25 significant decision points across 128.4 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 86.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.1 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Catskill, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Queens.
Gsp South: Paterson
102.4 mi in
|
~2h 3m
Fort Lee
102.4 mi in
|
~2h 3m
New York
102.4 mi in
|
~2h 3m
Queens
117.1 mi in
|
~2h 24m
About the Cities
Starting in Catskill, 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 2h 44m. Total distance: 128.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (30%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.1 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $26.71 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.
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 86.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Jamaica, NY before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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