Jamaica, NY to De Kalb, NY is 352.6 miles and takes about 7h 18m via NY 17 and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Expect a route that's mostly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $59, it’s a budget-friendly way to cover the distance.
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
176.3 miles from Jamaica, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
117.5 mi
2h 15m
New York State Thruway
63 mi
1h 12m
Bea Luck Road
19.6 mi
23m
State Highway 812
19.1 mi
23m
Indian River Road
16.1 mi
19m
NJ 17
14.7 mi
18m
State Highway 12
12 mi
16m
State Highway 28
11.7 mi
17m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 117.5 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jamaica, NY and De Kalb, 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
5.7 mi·7 min·Van Wyck Expressway
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 678
2.0 mi·2 min·Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi·1 min·Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
9
Continue on I 678
0.8 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 19S-W; 19NToward I 95 South, I 278 West, I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Manhattan, New Haven ConnecticutUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 19S-WToward I 95 South, I 278 West: George Washington Bridge, ManhattanUse the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 95 South
13
Merge onto I 95
4.8 mi·6 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
15
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
16
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi·39 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 72AToward NJ 4 West: ParamusUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto NJ 4
6.7 mi·9 min·NJ 4
Use the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, MahwahUse the straight lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: MahwahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
27
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
28
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
29
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
118 mi·2 hr 15 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
63 mi·1 hr 12 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 29AToward NY 169: Little Falls, DolgevilleUse the slight right lane.
32
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·54 sec·this road
33
Continue on NY 169
1.9 mi·2 min·NY 169
34
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5; NY 167; NY 169
0.7 mi·1 min·NY 5; NY 167; NY 169
35
Turn right onto NY 167
0.3 mi·36 sec·South Ann Street
36
At end of road, turn left onto NY 169
9.7 mi·15 min·West Monroe Street
37
Continue on NY 28
3.2 mi·4 min·State Highway 28
38
Continue on NY 28
1.2 mi·1 min·Main Street
39
Continue on NY 28
2.5 mi·3 min·State Highway 28
40
Continue on NY 28
1.4 mi·2 min·South Main Street
41
Continue on NY 8; NY 28
0.7 mi·1 min·State Highway 8
42
Turn right onto NY 28
6.0 mi·8 min·State Highway 28
43
Turn right onto NY 12
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 12
44
Continue on NY 12; NY 28
9.7 mi·11 min·Erwin Parkway
45
Continue on NY 12
0.8 mi·51 sec·State Highway 12
46
Continue on NY 12
20 mi·23 min·Bea Luck Road
47
Turn right onto Ross Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Ross Road
48
Continue on East State Street
1.5 mi·3 min·East State Street
49
At end of road, turn right onto NY 812
8.4 mi·10 min·State Highway 812
50
Continue on NY 812
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
51
Continue on NY 812
16 mi·19 min·Indian River Road
52
At end of road, turn right onto NY 3; NY 812
2.9 mi·4 min·State Route 3
53
Continue on NY 3; NY 812
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
54
Continue on NY 3; NY 812
0.4 mi·59 sec·State Street
55
Continue on NY 3; NY 812
0.3 mi·38 sec·State Highway 812
56
Continue on NY 812
7.9 mi·9 min·State Highway 812
57
Continue on NY 812
2.1 mi·2 min·Balmat-Fowler Road
58
Turn left onto NY 58; NY 812
5.5 mi·6 min·State Highway 58
59
Continue on NY 58; NY 812
0.5 mi·40 sec·William Street
60
Turn right onto US 11; NY 812
11 mi·13 min·East Main Street
61
Continue on NY 812
2.4 mi·2 min·State Highway 812
62
Turn right onto CR 17
79 ft·2 sec·County Road 17
63
Arrive at destination
CR 17
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 18m duration, starting your drive from Jamaica, NY, in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With only 2 planned stops and a longest stretch of 117.5 miles, you can comfortably cover this distance in one day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the end of the longer highway segments. The estimated $59 fuel cost is a good baseline for budgeting, but actual prices may vary. Consider packing snacks and drinks to minimize the need for quick stops.
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 176.3 miles from Jamaica, NY, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.5 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 78 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.3 miles or 3h 33m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near De Kalb, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jamaica, NY
This is one driving day of about 352.6 miles and 7h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Jamaica, 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 NY 17 for about 117.5 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 33
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.3 and 25.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
10.3 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, I 278 West, I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Manhattan, New Haven Connecticut
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 19S-W; 19N
Toward I 95 South, I 278 West, I 95 North: Geor...
10
10.5 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, I 278 West: George Washington Bridge, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 19S-W
Toward I 95 South, I 278 West: George Washingto...
8
18.4 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
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.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
9
18.6 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
8
25.6 mi into trip|~37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.04 one way
$114.08 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$61.90
$123.80
premium
$4.85
$67.30
$134.60
diesel
$4.80
$66.58
$133.16
Estimated Tolls: $25.70
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Whitestone Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(63 mi)$3.15
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
$57
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$108–$133
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.8
1
$37.02
$16.92
Efficient EV
88.2
1
$30.85
$14.10
EV Truck/SUV
141
1
$49.36
$22.57
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Jamaica, NY
Late night
in Jamaica on Tuesday
Local time
5:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Smoke
N 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
De Kalb, NY
Late night
in De Kalb on Tuesday
Local time
5:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
W 1 to 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
5 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
7h 18m 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.
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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 12.2
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 12.2
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...
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 12.2
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...
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 62% of your 352.6 miles on highways like NY 17 and the New York State Thruway. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 117.5 miles on NY 17. After the highway sections, you'll transition to roads like Bea Luck Road, which will likely feel more rural. Expect a steady pace for most of the drive, with a significant portion dedicated to cruising on major thoroughfares.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
63 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.5 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and New York State Thruway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.3 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 33 significant decision points across 352.6 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 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
864 ft41 ft
Total Climb
1,142 ft
Total Descent
846 ft
Highest Point
864 ft
~277 mi in
Elevation Range
823 ft
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 De Kalb, NY, road signs point toward Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark, Mahwah and New York State Thruway North: Albany - among others.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 18m. Total distance: 352.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 117.5 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $25.70 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.
Yes — we found about 27 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 De Kalb, 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange 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 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at De Kalb, NY before the return drive.
