Skip to main content

Trip from Gilboa, NY to Jamaica, NY

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 32m

Distance

156.6 mi

252 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 20m ★
6 AM
3h 33m
8 AM
3h 57m
10 AM
3h 41m
12 PM
3h 39m
3 PM
3h 43m
5 PM
3h 56m
8 PM
3h 25m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

human settlement in Schoharie County, New York, United States of America

Gilboa, NY

Wikimedia Commons

neighborhood of Queens, New York City, United States

Jamaica, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Gilboa, NY to Jamaica, NY is 156.6 miles and takes about 3h 32m via New York State Thruway, NJ 17, and State Route 23A, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route travels from the Northeast region of New York to the Northeast region of New York, offering a mixed highway and surface road experience. It's a manageable drive for a single day, perfect if you're looking for a direct trip without needing to plan an overnight stay. Expect a straightforward drive that transitions from more open roads to busier areas as you approach your destination.

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

78.3 miles from Gilboa, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 70.5 mi 1h 21m
State Route 23A 17.4 mi 26m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
State Highway 23 6.2 mi 9m
King's Highway 5.8 mi 7m
State Highway 23A 5.2 mi 8m
Cross Bronx Expressway 4.4 mi 5m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 70.5 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gilboa, NY and Jamaica, NY.

1

Start on CR 17

105 ft · 9 sec · Flat Creek Road
2

Continue on NY 990V

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Flat Creek Road
3

Continue on NY 990V

1.2 mi · 2 min · State Highway 990V
4

At end of road, turn left onto NY 30

2.9 mi · 4 min · State Highway 30
5

Turn left onto NY 23

6.2 mi · 9 min · State Highway 23
6

Continue on NY 23A

14 mi · 20 min · State Route 23A
7

Continue on NY 23A

2.0 mi · 2 min · Main Street
8

Continue on NY 23A

2.4 mi · 3 min · State Route 23A
9

Continue on NY 23A

1.6 mi · 4 min · Main Street
10

Continue on NY 23A

5.2 mi · 8 min · State Highway 23A
11

Continue on NY 23A

1.0 mi · 2 min · State Route 23A
12

Turn slight right onto NY 32A

0.4 mi · 44 sec · State Route 32A
13

Continue on NY 32A

1.5 mi · 2 min · State Highway 32A
14

Continue on NY 32

5.8 mi · 7 min · King's Highway
15

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
16

Merge onto I 87

71 mi · 1 hr 21 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

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.
18

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
19

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.
20

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
21

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
22

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4
Use the right lane.
23

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
25

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
27

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
29

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.4 mi · 5 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min
Exit 6A Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Merge onto I 678

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hutchinson River Expressway
32

Continue on I 678

1.3 mi · 2 min · Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
33

Continue on I 678

2.3 mi · 3 min · Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
34

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.
35

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 6 Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue Use the right lane.
36

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue Use the slight right lane.
37

Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West

0.9 mi · 2 min · Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
38

Turn left onto Liberty Avenue

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
39

Turn right onto Inwood Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Inwood Street
40

Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way

56 ft · 2 sec · Tuskegee Airmen Way
41

Arrive at destination

Tuskegee Airmen Way

Trip Plan

Given the 3h 32m estimated drive time, leaving anytime in the morning should get you to Jamaica, NY well before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. The fuel cost is estimated at $25, so ensure you have enough on hand or know where to refuel, especially before heading onto the surface roads. Pay attention to the transition from the New York State Thruway to State Route 23A and NJ 17, as the driving environment will change significantly.

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 78.3 miles from Gilboa, NY, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.5 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 53m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 78.3 miles or 1h 48m 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 48m

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 Gilboa, 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 Gilboa, NY

This is one driving day of about 156.6 miles and 3h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Gilboa, 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 70.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Cheshire, England

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chester, NY

78 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

Woodstock, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chester, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 78.3 miles from Gilboa, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.5 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 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 115.2 and 155.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
115.2 mi into trip | ~2h 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
116.6 mi into trip | ~2h 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
8
145.4 mi into trip | ~3h 13m 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
155 mi into trip | ~3h 28m 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
155.2 mi into trip | ~3h 29m 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

$25.45 one way

$50.90 round trip

$4.13/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.47 $27.55 $55.09
premium $4.87 $30.00 $60.00
diesel $5.40 $33.31 $66.62

Estimated Tolls: $26.08

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Whitestone Bridge $6.55
New York State Thruway (70.5 mi) $3.53

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

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47 0 $16.44 $7.52
Efficient EV 39.2 0 $13.70 $6.26
EV Truck/SUV 62.6 0 $21.92 $10.02

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 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.

Forecast as of Jun 23, 2022

Origin

Gilboa, NY

Afternoon in Gilboa on Sunday

Local time

12:24 PM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jamaica, NY

Afternoon in Jamaica on Sunday

Local time

12:24 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

38°F

Chester, NY

78 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

21 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

3h 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This 156.6-mile drive is about 46% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on the New York State Thruway. The longest stretch on the Thruway is 70.5 miles, offering a period of consistent cruising. After leaving the highway, you'll transition to State Route 23A and NJ 17, which are surface roads. Be prepared for more varied traffic and potentially more intersections as you move off the main expressway.

46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.5 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 115.2 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 22 significant decision points across 156.6 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 115.2 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.6 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.4 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.

Between Gilboa, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Queens.

Gsp South: Paterson

130.6 mi in | ~2h 51m

Fort Lee

130.6 mi in | ~2h 51m

New York

130.6 mi in | ~2h 51m

Queens

145.4 mi in | ~3h 13m

About the Cities

Starting in Gilboa, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1848

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 32m. Total distance: 156.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 70.5 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $26.08 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 115.2 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.6 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Jamaica, NY to Gilboa, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

156.9 mi 3h 30m

Explore more options from Gilboa, NY or browse trips ending in Jamaica, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.