Jamaica, NY to Dayton, NY is 401.3 miles and takes about 8h 16m via Keystone Shortway, US 219, and Christopher Columbus Highway, with a fuel budget near $67 and best split over two days. This route primarily stays within the Northeast region, traversing New York state for its entirety. Given its mostly surface road profile and recommended two-day duration, this trip is ideal for those who prefer a more leisurely pace and want to avoid extensive highway time. You'll find this drive to be a practical way to connect these two points without relying heavily on interstate travel.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
200.7 miles from Jamaica, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
200 mi
3h 44m
US 219
46.5 mi
53m
Christopher Columbus Highway
44.6 mi
52m
Route 353
12.2 mi
17m
US 46
10.8 mi
12m
Bennetts Valley Highway
10.5 mi
16m
NJ 3
10.2 mi
12m
Southern Tier Expressway
8.6 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 200 mi, about 3h 44m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 298 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,993 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,681
Quietest
1 AM
~353 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jamaica, NY and Dayton, 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 12BToward I 495 West: Midtown TunnelUse 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 17WToward I 278 West: BrooklynUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, ManhattanUse 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 StreetUse 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 TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·29 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: SecaucusUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
453 ft·7 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: CliftonUse 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, MahwahUse the straight / slight left lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water GapUse 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
195 mi·3 hr 35 min·Keystone Shortway
29
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·32 sec
31
Turn straight onto PA 153
7.5 mi·13 min·State Park Road
32
Turn right onto PA 255
7.9 mi·12 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
33
Continue on PA 255
0.2 mi·20 sec·Million Dollar Highway
34
Continue on PA 255
2.6 mi·3 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
35
Turn straight onto PA 255
8.1 mi·12 min·Million Dollar Highway
36
Continue on PA 120; PA 255
0.1 mi·14 sec·South Saint Marys Street
37
Turn right onto PA 120; PA 255
147 ft·3 sec·Railroad Street
38
Turn left onto PA 120; PA 255
382 ft·8 sec·South Michael Street
39
Continue on PA 255
0.1 mi·14 sec·North Michael Street
40
Turn left onto PA 255
0.7 mi·1 min·Maurus Street
41
Continue on PA 255
4.4 mi·6 min·Johnsonburg Road
42
Continue on PA 255
2.3 mi·3 min·Johnsonburg-Saint Marys Road
43
Continue on PA 255
0.8 mi·1 min·Powers Avenue
44
Keep slight right at fork
149 ft·5 sec
45
Merge onto US 219
6.6 mi·7 min·US 219
46
Keep slight right at fork onto US 219
40 mi·44 min·US 219
47
Take the exit onto US 219
0.4 mi·46 sec·US 219
48
Merge onto I 86; US 219; NY 17
8.6 mi·9 min·Southern Tier Expressway
49
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 20Toward NY 417, NY 353: Salamanca
50
Turn right onto NY 417
0.3 mi·26 sec·State Highway 417
51
Continue on NY 417
0.3 mi·57 sec·Broad Street
52
Turn left onto NY 353
1.0 mi·2 min·Center Street
53
Continue on NY 353
5.2 mi·7 min·Route 353
54
Continue on NY 353; NY 242
0.3 mi·31 sec·State Highway 242
55
Continue on NY 353; NY 242
0.9 mi·2 min·Rock City Street
56
Continue on NY 353
1.3 mi·3 min·Erie Street
57
Continue on NY 353
5.1 mi·7 min·Route 353
58
Continue on NY 353
1.5 mi·2 min·South Main Street
59
Continue on NY 353
5.0 mi·7 min·State Highway 353
60
Continue on NY 353
2.0 mi·2 min·Route 353
61
Continue on NY 353
1.7 mi·2 min·State Highway 353
62
Turn left onto US 62
37 ft·0 sec·US 62
63
Arrive at destination
US 62
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 16m estimated drive time and the mostly surface road profile, planning for two days is a smart move. Consider departing early in the morning to make the most of your first day, aiming to cover roughly half the distance. This allows for a relaxed pace and opportunities to stop as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 200-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, as services might be less frequent than on interstates. Budgeting around $67 for fuel should cover your needs for the entire 401.3 miles.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 200.7 miles from Jamaica, NY, or about 4h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 200 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 88 miles or 1h 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 200.7 miles or 4h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 200.7 miles or 4h 1m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dayton, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jamaica, NY
Aim for roughly 201 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Dayton, NY
Aim for roughly 201 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Jamaica, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 200 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 42
5 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
$70.89 one way
$141.78 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg140 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$76.71
$153.41
premium
$5.28
$83.36
$166.71
diesel
$6.18
$97.62
$195.25
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
$71
Tolls
$16
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$217–$327
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
120.4
1
$42.14
$19.26
Efficient EV
100.3
1
$35.11
$16.05
EV Truck/SUV
160.5
2
$56.18
$25.68
Gas CO2
140 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (66% 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Jamaica, NY
Afternoon
in Jamaica on Saturday
Local time
4:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 12 mph74% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 16 at 6:13PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued October 16 at 6:11PM EDT until October 16 at 7:15PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Destination
Dayton, NY
Afternoon
in Dayton on Saturday
Local time
4:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
32°F
Rain Showers
N 12 to 15 mph82% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 16 at 6:13PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued October 16 at 6:11PM EDT until October 16 at 7:15PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
38 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
8h 16m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
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...
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 13.8
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...
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 13.8
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 13.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 27% of your time on highways, meaning much of this 401.3-mile trip will be on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a major road is 200 miles on the Keystone Shortway. After this, expect a transition to more varied road types, so be prepared for frequent changes in speed limits and road conditions. The overall profile suggests a drive with fewer exits and more consistent, non-highway travel for significant portions.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
63 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 200 mi on Keystone Shortway.
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 4.1 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 42 significant decision points across 401.3 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,090 ft41 ft
Total Climb
4,318 ft
Total Descent
3,023 ft
Highest Point
2,090 ft
~286.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,049 ft
Notable High Points
1,098 ft at ~57.3 miles+769 ft prominence
1,650 ft at ~114.7 miles+660 ft prominence
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 Dayton, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Penfield.
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.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 200 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 201 miles on day one.
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.
Yes — we found about 43 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Dayton, 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. There are 43 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 8.3 hours each way, a round trip means 16.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Dayton, NY before the return drive.
