Origin
Colchester, NY
Afternoon in Colchester on Sunday
Local time
1:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colchester, 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
3h 25m
Distance
152.9 mi
246 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 14m
★
6 AM
3h 26m
8 AM
3h 50m
10 AM
3h 34m
12 PM
3h 32m
3 PM
3h 35m
5 PM
3h 49m
8 PM
3h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colchester, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Jamaica, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Colchester, NY to Jamaica, NY is 152.9 miles and takes about 3h 25m via NY 17 and NJ 17, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily within New York and briefly into New Jersey, before reaching its destination in Queens, NY. Given its relatively short distance and mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward drive. You'll likely find it to be an efficient way to cover the ground between upstate New York and the New York City area, making it ideal for a single-day transit.
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
76.5 miles from Colchester, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 70.1 mi | 1h 23m |
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| New York State Thruway | 13.7 mi | 15m |
| Hawleys-Downsville Road | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| State Highway 206 | 4.8 mi | 8m |
| Cat Hollow Road | 4.6 mi | 8m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 70.1 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colchester, NY and Jamaica, NY.
1
Start on Jacksons Flat Road
26 ft
·
5 sec
·
Jacksons Flat Road
2
Turn right onto NY 10
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 10
3
Turn right onto CR 26
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
Hawleys-Downsville Road
4
Continue on CR 26
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Hawleys-Downsville Road
5
Continue on CR 26
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Knox Avenue
6
At end of road, turn left onto NY 206
508 ft
·
16 sec
·
State Highway 206
7
Continue on NY 30; NY 206
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Bridge Street
8
Continue on NY 30; NY 206
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 30
9
Turn right onto NY 206; CR 7
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Cat Hollow Road
10
Continue on NY 206; CR 7
4.7 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 206
11
Continue on NY 206; CR 91
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Rockland Road
12
Continue on NY 206; CR 179
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Old Route 17
13
Turn right onto CR 124
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Stewart Avenue
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward NY 17 East: New York City
Use the left lane.
15
Merge onto NY 17
69 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York City
Use the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 87
14 mi
·
15 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
21
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.
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
24
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
NJ 4
Use the right lane.
25
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
27
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
29
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
31
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 6A
Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Hutchinson River Expressway
34
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
35
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
36
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.
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 6
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue
Use the right lane.
38
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
39
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Turn left onto Liberty Avenue
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
41
Turn right onto Inwood Street
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Inwood Street
42
Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way
56 ft
·
2 sec
·
Tuskegee Airmen Way
43
Arrive at destination
Tuskegee Airmen Way
Trip Plan
With a drive time of around 3 hours and 25 minutes, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential rush hour congestion as you get closer to Jamaica, NY. The fuel cost is estimated at $25, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before starting, especially given the longest stretch without a clear indication of immediate services. Planning one stop for a break or to refuel should be adequate for this distance.
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 76.5 miles from Colchester, NY, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.1 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 34 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.5 miles or 1h 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 2h 42m
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 Colchester, 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 Colchester, NY
This is one driving day of about 152.9 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Colchester, 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 70.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.5 miles from Colchester, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.1 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 275 decision points cluster between mile 26.8 and 151.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
26.8 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Take the ramp toward NY 17 East: New York City
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward NY 17 East: New York City
8
96.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m 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
111.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m 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
112.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m 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
151.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m 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
$24.85 one way
$49.70 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $26.90 | $53.79 |
| premium | $4.87 | $29.29 | $58.58 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $32.52 | $65.05 |
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
$25
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.05 | $7.34 |
| Efficient EV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.38 | $6.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.41 | $9.79 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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
1:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
38°F
Chester, NY
76 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
18 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
3h 25m 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?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 77% of the 152.9 miles on major roads like the New York State Thruway and NY 17. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 70.1 miles on NY 17, offering a consistent cruising experience. After the highway segments, expect a transition to surface roads as you approach your destination, likely involving more frequent exits and potentially denser traffic patterns.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.1 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.8 miles in.
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 27 significant decision points across 152.9 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 26.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 96.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.5 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 Colchester, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany, New York City, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Queens.
Nyst: Albany
96.2 mi in
|
~2h 6m
New York City
96.2 mi in
|
~2h 6m
Gsp South: Paterson
126.9 mi in
|
~2h 44m
Fort Lee
126.9 mi in
|
~2h 44m
New York
126.9 mi in
|
~2h 44m
Queens
141.7 mi in
|
~3h 6m
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 3h 25m. Total distance: 152.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.1 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 26.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 96.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Jamaica, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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