Origin
Chester, NY
Morning in Chester on Tuesday
Local time
7:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chester, NY to Jamaica, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 32m
Distance
66.5 mi
107 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 25m
★
6 AM
1h 33m
8 AM
1h 47m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 46m
8 PM
1h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chester, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Jamaica, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Chester, NY to Jamaica, NY is 66.5 miles and takes about 1h 32m via NJ 17 and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, beginning and ending in New York. It's a straightforward, single-day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience for most of the journey. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get between these two points without a lot of fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
33.2 miles from Chester, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| New York State Thruway | 13.7 mi | 15m |
| US 6 | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
NJ 17
— 14.1 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chester, NY and Jamaica, NY.
1
Start on Railroad Avenue
342 ft
·
17 sec
·
Railroad Avenue
2
Turn right onto Bank Street
377 ft
·
23 sec
·
Bank Street
3
Turn left onto NY 94
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
High Street
4
Continue on NY 94
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Main Street
5
Turn right onto NY 94
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Academy Avenue
6
Continue on NY 94
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
State Highway 94
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 6 East, NY 17 East: Monroe
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto US 6; NY 17
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
US 6; NY 17
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York City
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 87
14 mi
·
15 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
14
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.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
17
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
NJ 4
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
22
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
24
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 6A
Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Hutchinson River Expressway
27
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
28
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
29
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.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 6
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue
Use the right lane.
31
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
32
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Turn left onto Liberty Avenue
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
34
Turn right onto Inwood Street
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Inwood Street
35
Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way
56 ft
·
2 sec
·
Tuskegee Airmen Way
36
Arrive at destination
Tuskegee Airmen Way
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 32 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You can afford to leave at your convenience, but consider traffic patterns, especially if you're traveling during peak commute hours into the New York City area. With only 66.5 miles, stops aren't strictly necessary, but there are ample opportunities for fuel and rest along the New York State Thruway should you need them. A specific tip: keep an eye on your GPS for the most efficient lane choices as you approach the Queens area, as local traffic can become quite dense.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 33.2 miles from Chester, NY, or about 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.1 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 15 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.2 miles or 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 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 Chester, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chester, NY
This is one driving day of about 66.5 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Chester, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NJ 17 for about 14.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.2 miles from Chester, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 265 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 65.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward US 6 East, NY 17 East: Monroe
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 6 East, NY 17 East: Monroe
8
9.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
9
25 mi into trip
|
~31m 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
26.4 mi into trip
|
~33m 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
9
65.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m 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
$10.95 one way
$21.89 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $11.84 | $23.67 |
| premium | $4.92 | $12.89 | $25.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.68 | $29.36 |
Estimated Tolls: $23.23
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Whitestone Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(13.7 mi)
$0.68
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
$11
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20 | 0 | $6.98 | $3.19 |
| Efficient EV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.82 | $2.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.6 | 0 | $9.31 | $4.26 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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
Morning in Jamaica on Tuesday
Local time
7:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Ramapo, NY
33 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
3 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
1h 32m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 50.4
View on nps.gov
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 50.4
View on nps.gov
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 61.9
View on nps.gov
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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 50.4
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument
National Monument
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 61.9
View on nps.gov
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
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 61.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 69% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience stretches that are built for speed and efficiency, particularly on the New York State Thruway and US 6. The longest uninterrupted segment on NJ 17 spans 14.1 miles, offering a consistent pace before you transition to other major arteries. The road character is primarily that of a commuter or interstate highway, designed for covering distance rather than leisurely sightseeing. Expect a fairly direct and purposeful driving experience.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.1 mi on NJ 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 17 and New York State Thruway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.5 miles you will encounter 26 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25 miles (NY 17): 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chester, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany, New York City, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Queens.
Nyst: Albany
9.8 mi in
|
~12m
New York City
9.8 mi in
|
~12m
Gsp South: Paterson
40.5 mi in
|
~51m
Fort Lee
40.5 mi in
|
~51m
New York
40.5 mi in
|
~51m
Queens
55.2 mi in
|
~1h 12m
About the Cities
Starting in Chester, NY
Full guide →Founded 79
The Town of Chester is made of several communities in the Adirondacks around the small hamlet of Chestertown. Other hamlets within the town boundaries include Pottersville, Friends Lake, Loon Lake, and Schroon Lake. Of the three lakes, only Loon Lake has a public beach—for the others you'll have to check into a B&B.
Top landmarks
- • Chester Cathedral — Grade I listed cathedral in Chester, United Kingdom
- • Castra Deva Victrix — Roman fort
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 1h 32m. Total distance: 66.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.1 miles on NJ 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.23 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25 miles (NY 17): 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 African Burial Ground National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Jamaica, NY
More trips to Jamaica, NY
Explore more options from Chester, NY or browse trips ending in Jamaica, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.