Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 26m
Distance
344.9 mi
555 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jamaica, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Hilton, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
This 344.9-mile drive from Jamaica, NY, to Hilton, NY, will take approximately 7 hours and 26 minutes, making it a feasible one-day trip. You'll primarily navigate via I-81 and the New York State Thruway, with 53% of the journey on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $57 for this journey. With two planned stops, this route offers a good balance between covering distance and taking breaks. It’s a straightforward drive through the Northeast region, specifically within New York State, designed for efficiency.
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
172.4 miles from Jamaica, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 36m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 97.3 mi | 1h 55m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 44.6 mi | 52m |
| New York State Thruway | 30.3 mi | 34m |
| I 380 | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| Keystone Shortway | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| Eastern Expressway | 10.8 mi | 13m |
| US 46 | 10.8 mi | 12m |
| Clinton Street | 10.5 mi | 15m |
Step-by-step road directions between Jamaica, NY and Hilton, NY.
Start on Tuskegee Airmen Way
Turn right onto Pinegrove Street
At end of road, turn left onto Liberty Avenue
Turn right onto Van Wyck Expressway East
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 678
Take the exit
Merge onto I 495
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 495
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
Keep slight left at fork
Turn slight left onto East 37th Street
Take the ramp
Turn right
Merge onto NY 495
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 495
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto NJ 3
Merge onto US 46
Take the exit
Continue on I 80W
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Take the exit
Continue on I 380
Merge onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Take the exit
Turn right onto NY 13
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
Continue on Albany Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
Turn left onto NY 41
Continue on NY 41
Continue on NY 41
Continue on NY 41
Continue on NY 41
Turn left onto US 20
Turn right onto US 20
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
Continue on US 20; NY 5
Turn right onto NY 318
Continue on NY 318
Turn right onto NY 414
Continue on NY 414
Take the ramp
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Continue on I 490
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NY 590
Take the exit
Merge onto NY 104
Continue on NY 104
Continue on NY 104
Continue on NY 104
Turn right onto NY 261
Turn left onto NY 18
Turn right onto NY 18; NY 259
Continue on NY 18; NY 259
At end of road, turn left onto NY 18; NY 259
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 7-hour, 26-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Jamaica, NY, to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With two stops suggested, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps one around the halfway point to refuel and stretch. The longest stretch without a major turn is 97.3 miles on I-81, which could be a good time for your primary stop. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $57, and ensure you have enough for the 344.9-mile journey, especially before entering longer highway segments.
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 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 76 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.4 miles or 3h 36m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hilton, NY than in the middle of the route.
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 344.9 miles and 7h 26m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
172 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.
A short stop after about 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 172.4 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 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 9 and 323.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 590 South, NY 590 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 590 North: Irondequoit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$56.77 one way
$113.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $61.39 | $122.78 |
| premium | $4.92 | $66.85 | $133.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $76.15 | $152.30 |
Estimated Tolls: $17.52
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
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 103.5 | 1 | $36.21 | $16.56 |
| Efficient EV | 86.2 | 0 | $30.18 | $13.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138 | 1 | $48.29 | $22.07 |
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Jamaica on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Night in Hilton on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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This route presents a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you'll encounter more frequent changes in direction and road type than a pure interstate journey. While 53% of the drive is on highways like I-81 and the New York State Thruway, the "turn-heavy" nature suggests a significant portion involves navigating local roads and exits. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 97.3 miles on I-81, offering a period of consistent speed before you transition back to more varied driving conditions. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires attention to navigation.
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 9 miles in.
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 54 significant decision points across 344.9 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 9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Jamaica, NY and Hilton, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Albany.
Del Water Gap
Mahwah
Albany
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.
Founded 1885
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 26m. Total distance: 344.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 26m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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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