This 256.2-mile drive from Chittenango, NY, to Jamaica, NY, is designed as a single-day adventure, taking an estimated 5 hours and 35 minutes. You'll primarily be on major roadways, with about 76% of the journey being highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $42, and the route has one recommended stop. This highway-focused trip offers a direct path through the Northeast region, making it a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. It's a manageable distance for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without feeling overly rushed.
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
128.1 miles from Chittenango, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
106 mi
2h 12m
State Highway 8
36.8 mi
41m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
New York State Thruway
13.7 mi
15m
County Road 16
11.8 mi
16m
State Route 80
8.8 mi
12m
Rexford Street
8.3 mi
9m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 106 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chittenango, NY and Jamaica, NY.
1
Start on NY 5; NY 13
369 ft·13 sec·Genesee Street
2
Turn left onto NY 13
4.3 mi·6 min·Falls Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on NY 13
4.2 mi·5 min·Gorge Road
4
Continue on NY 13
0.4 mi·54 sec·Sweetland Street
5
Continue on NY 13
0.3 mi·53 sec·Farnham Street
6
At end of road, turn right onto US 20; NY 13
0.4 mi·1 min·Albany Street
7
Turn left onto US 20; NY 13
0.2 mi·27 sec·Forman Street
8
Continue on NY 13
5.8 mi·7 min·Rippleton Road
9
Continue on NY 13
0.2 mi·25 sec·State Route 13
10
Turn left onto NY 13; NY 80
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
11
Continue on NY 13; NY 80
1.1 mi·1 min·McKinley Street
12
Continue on NY 13; NY 80
1.9 mi·2 min·State Route 13
13
Continue on NY 80
6.1 mi·8 min·State Route 80
14
Continue on NY 26; NY 80
2.7 mi·3 min·State Route 80
15
Continue on NY 26; NY 80
2.2 mi·3 min·State Highway 26
16
Turn left onto CR 16
12 mi·16 min·County Road 16
17
Turn left onto NY 23
1.2 mi·1 min·NY 23
18
Turn left onto CR 44
2.8 mi·3 min·County Road 44
19
Turn right onto NY 12
1.2 mi·1 min·State Highway 12
20
Continue on NY 12
0.6 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
21
Turn left onto NY 23
8.3 mi·9 min·Rexford Street
22
Turn right onto NY 8
18 mi·20 min·State Highway 8
23
Continue on NY 8
0.4 mi·29 sec·Airport Road
24
Continue on NY 8
19 mi·21 min·State Highway 8
25
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.3 mi·18 sec·Oak Street
26
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.4 mi·44 sec·State Highway 10
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward NY 17 East
28
Merge onto NY 17
105 mi·2 hr 11 min·NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·59 sec
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York CityUse the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York CityUse the slight right lane.
31
Merge onto I 87
14 mi·15 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
33
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
34
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
36
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
37
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
38
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
40
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
42
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
44
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi·5 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 6AToward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Expressway
47
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi·2 min·Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
48
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi·3 min·Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
49
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.
50
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 6Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic AvenueUse the right lane.
51
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica AvenueUse the slight right lane.
52
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi·2 min·Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
53
Turn left onto Liberty Avenue
0.2 mi·25 sec·Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
54
Turn right onto Inwood Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·Inwood Street
55
Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way
56 ft·2 sec·Tuskegee Airmen Way
56
Arrive at destination
Tuskegee Airmen Way
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour, 35-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the New York City area. With 256.2 miles and only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. The $42 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting, and it's wise to ensure your tank is full before embarking on the longest stretch of 106 miles on NY 17. Planning a brief stop around the halfway point or slightly after can help break up the highway driving effectively.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 128.1 miles from Chittenango, NY, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106 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 56 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.1 miles or 2h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 29m
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 Chittenango, 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 Chittenango, NY
This is one driving day of about 256.2 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Chittenango, 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 NY 17 for about 106 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 199.5 and 254.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
199.5 mi into trip|~4h 16m 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
214.8 mi into trip|~4h 34m 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
216.1 mi into trip|~4h 36m 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
245 mi into trip|~5h 16m 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
254.8 mi into trip|~5h 32m 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
$42.17 one way
$84.34 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$45.60
$91.20
premium
$4.92
$49.66
$99.31
diesel
$5.61
$56.57
$113.13
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
$42
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.9
0
$26.90
$12.30
Efficient EV
64.1
0
$22.42
$10.25
EV Truck/SUV
102.5
1
$35.87
$16.40
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Chittenango, NY
Morning
in Chittenango on Tuesday
Local time
9:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jamaica, NY
Morning
in Jamaica on Tuesday
Local time
9:26 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
12 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
5h 35m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
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 238.5
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 238.5
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 238.5
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 238.5
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
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 238.5
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 256.2
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 256.2-mile journey, with 76% of the drive on faster roads. The route utilizes NY 17, State Highway 8, and NJ 17, providing a consistent pace for much of the trip. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 106 miles on NY 17, so be prepared for extended periods of highway driving. While predominantly highway, the character can shift slightly as you transition between these main arteries, but the overall feel is one of steady progress.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
56 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and State Highway 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 199.5 miles in.
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 256.2 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 199.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 214.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 216.1 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,575 ft41 ft
Total Climb
1,677 ft
Total Descent
2,089 ft
Highest Point
1,575 ft
~164.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,534 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chittenango, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany, New York City, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
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 5h 35m. Total distance: 256.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106 miles on NY 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.
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 199.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 214.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 216.1 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 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.
