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Trip from Hammond, NY to Jamaica, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 23m

Distance

362.2 mi

583 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$60

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
7h 13m ★
6 AM
7h 23m
8 AM
7h 44m
10 AM
7h 30m
12 PM
7h 28m
3 PM
7h 31m
5 PM
7h 43m
8 PM
7h 17m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Hammond, NY, NY

Hammond, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

neighborhood of Queens, New York City, United States

Jamaica, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 362.2-mile journey from Hammond, NY, to Jamaica, NY, will take approximately 7 hours and 23 minutes of driving time. Consider tackling this drive in a single day, as it's a manageable distance for a well-paced trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $60, it's an economical option for exploring within New York. The route primarily utilizes the New York State Thruway, State Highway 12, and Bea Luck Road, offering a blend of highway and local road experiences as you travel south through the Northeast region. With two recommended stops, you'll have opportunities to break up the drive.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

181.1 miles from Hammond, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 201.9 mi 3h 53m
State Highway 12 35.1 mi 46m
Bea Luck Road 19.8 mi 23m
State Highway 37 18 mi 20m
State Route 37 15.9 mi 18m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
Erwin Parkway 9.7 mi 11m
Van Allen Road 8.4 mi 9m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Lake Street

50 ft · 8 sec · Lake Street
2

Turn left onto NY 37

0.6 mi · 42 sec · South Main Street
3

Continue on NY 37

18 mi · 20 min · State Highway 37
4

Continue on NY 37

16 mi · 18 min · State Route 37
5

Merge onto US 11

0.6 mi · 39 sec · US 11
6

Enter roundabout onto US 11

204 ft · 3 sec · Mill Street
7

Continue on US 11

1.4 mi · 1 min · Mill Street
8

Continue on NY 3; NY 12

314 ft · 7 sec · Public Square
9

Continue on NY 3; NY 12

1.7 mi · 3 min · State Street
10

Turn right onto NY 12

2.4 mi · 2 min · Gifford Street
11

Continue on NY 12

8.4 mi · 9 min · Van Allen Road
12

Continue on NY 12

1.4 mi · 1 min · State Highway 12
13

Continue on NY 12

0.6 mi · 41 sec · Main Street
14

Continue on NY 12

0.6 mi · 38 sec · High Street
15

Continue on NY 12

0.3 mi · 22 sec · County Road 14
16

Continue on NY 12

11 mi · 13 min · State Highway 12
17

Continue on NY 12

0.5 mi · 1 min · Dayan Street
18

Turn right onto NY 12; NY 26

0.6 mi · 1 min · South State Street
19

Continue on NY 12

0.5 mi · 1 min · Utica Boulevard
20

Continue on NY 12

20 mi · 23 min · Bea Luck Road
21

Continue on NY 12

0.8 mi · 51 sec · State Highway 12
22

Continue on NY 12

9.7 mi · 11 min · Erwin Parkway
23

Continue on NY 12

22 mi · 30 min · State Highway 12
24

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
25

Merge onto NY 49

0.4 mi · 26 sec · State Route 49
26

Continue on I 790; NY 5

0.2 mi · 13 sec · I 790; NY 5
27

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
28

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90
29

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 90 East
30

Merge onto I 90

84 mi · 1 hr 36 min · New York State Thruway
31

Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway

118 mi · 2 hr 16 min · New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston Use the slight right lane.
32

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.
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 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah Use 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 Bridge Use 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 6A Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens Use 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 Airport Use the slight left lane.
50

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 6 Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue Use the right lane.
51

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue Use 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 7-hour, 23-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Hammond to avoid potential traffic closer to your destination in Jamaica, NY. With two planned stops, you can easily manage your breaks, perhaps one midway and another closer to the city. The longest stretch is over 200 miles on the New York State Thruway, so plan your fuel stops strategically before entering that section. Given the "turn-heavy local drive" nature, be especially mindful of speed limit changes and local road conditions as you get closer to the urban areas.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 181.1 miles from Hammond, NY, or about 3h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.9 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 181.1 miles or 3h 40m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h

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 Hammond, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Hammond, NY

This is one driving day of about 362.2 miles and 7h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hammond, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 201.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Albany, NY

181 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

Whitesboro, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Schenectady, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 181.1 miles from Hammond, 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 201.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · around the midpoint

Barcelona Restaurant-Wine Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Albany, New York

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset · 4h 13m in / 3h 10m to go 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15184381144

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Paramus, New Jersey

1.4 mi

Cafe Madison

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Albany, New York

1.6 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hackensack, New Jersey

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 32min to go 3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Barcelona Restaurant-Wine Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Albany, New York

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15184381144

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12014871088

Visit website

Cafe Madison

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Albany, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+15189351094

Visit website

Tool's Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Delmar, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+15184399111

Visit website

Sage Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Fair Lawn, New Jersey

Hours: 4–9 pm

+12017970500

Visit website

Kantu Peruvian Cuisine Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Forest Hills, New York

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13475310873

Visit website

Bite Food & Coffee Co

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12015602269

Visit website

Juany's Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Fair Lawn, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+15512248030

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour

South Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12014265898

Visit website

C Squared Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12014259120

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Pattersonville, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Herkimer, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Amsterdam, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Quick Charge Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Amsterdam, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18552703107

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour

Central Valley, New York

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18777983752

Visit website

EVolve NY Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Amsterdam, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19142874200

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

Central Valley, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887800062

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour

Central Valley, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18774943833

Visit website

iFLY Indoor Skydiving- Paramus

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–8:30 pm

+12017334359

Visit website

Catch Air Paramus

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12016202125

Visit website

Ready to Golf

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

River Edge, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+16093887728

Visit website

Shooting Zone

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 12–9 pm

+12014401329

Visit website

5 Wits Albany

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3 mi from route ~7 min detour

Albany, New York

Hours: 12–8 pm

+15187592288

Visit website

Bowler City

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+12013433545

Visit website

Posh Princess Palace

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Lodi, New Jersey

Hours: 1–7 pm

+18628997674

Visit website

American Italian Heritage Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Albany, New York

Hours: 12–2 pm

+15184351979

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 29

5 decision points cluster between mile 202.6 and 360.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
202.6 mi into trip | ~4h 5m in | New York State Thruway

Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
9
320.7 mi into trip | ~6h 21m 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
322.1 mi into trip | ~6h 23m 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
350.9 mi into trip | ~7h 3m 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
360.8 mi into trip | ~7h 19m 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

$59.62 one way

$119.24 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 127 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $64.47 $128.94
premium $4.92 $70.20 $140.40
diesel $5.61 $79.97 $159.94

Estimated Tolls: $32.64

George Washington Bridge $16.00
New York State Thruway (201.9 mi) $10.09
Whitestone Bridge $6.55

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

$60

Tolls

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$117–$142

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 126.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 108.7 1 $38.03 $17.39
Efficient EV 90.6 1 $31.69 $14.49
EV Truck/SUV 144.9 1 $50.71 $23.18

Gas CO2

127 kg

EV CO2

42 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

Hammond, NY

Morning in Hammond on Tuesday

Local time

9:00 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jamaica, NY

Morning in Jamaica on Tuesday

Local time

9:00 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

2 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

7h 23m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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

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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 349.7
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 349.7
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

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 362.2
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 349.7
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 362.2
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free near mile 362.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" profile for this route, with only 32% of the journey on highways. While there's a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 201.9 miles on the New York State Thruway, much of the drive will involve navigating State Highway 12 and Bea Luck Road, suggesting a more engaging, less monotonous experience. This mix means you'll likely experience varying speed limits and more frequent turns as you progress from the northern part of NY to the greater New York City area. Be prepared for a road that demands attention and offers a more intimate connection with the landscape.

Only 32% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
56 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 201.9 mi on New York State Thruway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 202.6 miles in near New York State Thruway.

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 29 significant decision points across 362.2 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 202.6 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 320.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 322.1 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Hammond, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South, Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.

Genesee Street South

117.6 mi in | ~2h 26m

Boston

202.6 mi in | ~4h 5m | via New York State Thruway

Gsp South: Paterson

336.2 mi in | ~6h 42m

Fort Lee

336.2 mi in | ~6h 42m

New York

336.2 mi in | ~6h 42m

About the Cities

Starting in Hammond, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1827

Arriving in Jamaica, NY

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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 7h 23m. Total distance: 362.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 201.9 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $32.64 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 202.6 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 320.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 322.1 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Gateway National Recreation Area (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.8 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.

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.

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