Origin
Jamaica, NY
Night in Jamaica on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jamaica, NY to Belfast, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 50m
Distance
334.5 mi
538 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 38m
★
6 AM
6h 50m
8 AM
7h 13m
10 AM
6h 58m
12 PM
6h 56m
3 PM
6h 59m
5 PM
7h 12m
8 PM
6h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jamaica, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Belfast, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Jamaica, NY to Belfast, NY is 334.5 miles and takes about 6h 50m via I 86, I 81, and Christopher Columbus Highway, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a highway-focused drive for most of the journey, making it a straightforward option for a single day. Given the relatively short duration and highway nature, this route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without extensive planning. It's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
167.2 miles from Jamaica, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 86 | 100 mi | 1h 56m |
| I 81 | 58.1 mi | 1h 9m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 44.6 mi | 52m |
| Southern Tier Expressway | 36.5 mi | 42m |
| I 380 | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| Keystone Shortway | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| US 46 | 10.8 mi | 12m |
| NJ 3 | 10.2 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 100 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jamaica, NY and Belfast, NY.
1
Start on Tuskegee Airmen Way
303 ft
·
17 sec
·
Tuskegee Airmen Way
2
Turn right onto Pinegrove Street
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Pinegrove Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Liberty Avenue
435 ft
·
13 sec
·
Liberty Avenue
4
Turn right onto Van Wyck Expressway East
77 ft
·
1 sec
·
Van Wyck Expressway East
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway, Whitestone Bridge, Bronx
6
Merge onto I 678
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Van Wyck Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 12B
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 495
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 17W
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 495
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Queens-Midtown Tunnel
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward Crosstown, 37th Street
Use the slight left lane.
14
Turn slight left onto East 37th Street
1.1 mi
·
3 min
·
East 37th Street
Use the slight left lane.
15
Take the ramp
474 ft
·
11 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel
16
Turn right
342 ft
·
11 sec
Use the right lane.
17
Merge onto NY 495
105 ft
·
4 sec
·
Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 495
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
Toward Lincoln Tunnel
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: Secaucus
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
453 ft
·
7 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto NJ 3
10 mi
·
12 min
·
NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto US 46
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US 46
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
24
Continue on I 80W
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, Mahwah
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
26
Merge onto I 80
45 mi
·
52 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Keystone Shortway
29
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 293
Toward I 380 North: Scranton
30
Continue on I 380
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 380
Use the straight lane.
31
Merge onto I 81
58 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 86; NY 17
37 mi
·
42 min
·
Southern Tier Expressway
Toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Erie
34
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 31
Toward Angelica
35
Turn right onto Peacock Hill Road
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Peacock Hill Road
36
At end of road, turn left onto East Main Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Main Street
37
Enter roundabout onto West Main Street
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
West Main Street
38
Continue on West Main Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
39
Continue on CR 16
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
County Highway 16
40
Turn right onto NY 19
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Transit Hill Road
41
Continue on NY 19
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
42
Turn right onto East Hughes Street
274 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Hughes Street
43
Turn right onto Chapel Street
165 ft
·
7 sec
·
Chapel Street
44
Arrive at destination
Chapel Street
Trip Plan
With a driving time of under 7 hours, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for potential traffic and to ensure you have ample daylight for the entire drive. While the longest stretch between exits is 100 miles on I 86, it's wise to fuel up before embarking and perhaps midway, especially given the $55 estimated fuel cost. There's only one recommended stop, so plan it strategically for a break and to top off your tank. Given the highway nature, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is the most critical route-specific consideration.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 167.2 miles from Jamaica, NY, or about 3h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100 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 74 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.2 miles or 3h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belfast, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jamaica, 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 Jamaica, NY
This is one driving day of about 334.5 miles and 6h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Jamaica, 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 I 86 for about 100 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
167 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 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 167.2 miles from Jamaica, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100 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 385 decision points cluster between mile 4.1 and 17.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
4.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12B
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
7
8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 17W
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
8
9 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan
8
12.3 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Crosstown, 37th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Crosstown, 37th Street
8
17.7 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.06 one way
$110.12 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
117 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $59.54 | $119.08 |
| premium | $4.92 | $64.83 | $129.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $73.85 | $147.71 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Lincoln Tunnel
$16.00
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
$55
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 100.4 | 1 | $35.12 | $16.06 |
| Efficient EV | 83.6 | 0 | $29.27 | $13.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 133.8 | 1 | $46.83 | $21.41 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Destination
Belfast, NY
Night in Belfast on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
4 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
6h 50m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 11.5
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 11.5
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 11.5
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 11.5
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 11.5
View on nps.gov
Governors Island National Monument
National Monument
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 11.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 78% of the journey on major interstates. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I 86, including one stretch of about 100 miles without needing to exit. The primary roads like I 86 and I 81 offer consistent speeds and a predictable driving experience for the majority of the trip. While the profile is largely highway, the inclusion of Christopher Columbus Highway suggests a brief transition before or after the main interstate segments. Overall, anticipate a smooth, albeit potentially monotonous, drive on well-maintained highways.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100 mi on I 86.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.1 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 38 significant decision points across 334.5 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 4.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles: 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 Jamaica, NY and Belfast, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap and Mahwah.
Del Water Gap
38.8 mi in
|
~56m
Mahwah
39 mi in
|
~56m
|
via I 80W
About the Cities
Starting 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.
Arriving in Belfast, NY
Full guide →Founded 1824
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 6h 50m. Total distance: 334.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 50m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 100 miles on I 86. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.00 in tolls one way, starting with Lincoln Tunnel. 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 Belfast, 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 4.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stonewall National Monument, African Burial Ground National Monument and Castle Clinton 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 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Belfast, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Belfast, NY
More trips to Belfast, NY
Explore more options from Jamaica, NY or browse trips ending in Belfast, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.