This 307.2-mile journey from Jamaica, NY, to Holcomb, NY, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 6 hours and 45 minutes. Primarily following I 81 and US 11, this highway-focused route offers a straightforward path through the Northeast region of New York. With an estimated fuel cost of $51, it's an economical choice for a day trip. The drive is generally efficient, making it a manageable option for getting from point A to point B without requiring an overnight stop. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained highways.
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
153.6 miles from Jamaica, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
73.8 mi
1h 28m
Christopher Columbus Highway
44.6 mi
52m
US 11
30.6 mi
40m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
State Highway 96A
17.1 mi
23m
Routes 5 and 20
16.6 mi
25m
US 46
10.8 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 73.8 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jamaica, NY and Holcomb, 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
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
29
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward 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 right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
14 mi·16 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 8Toward NY 26 North: Whitney Point, Lisle
35
Turn right onto NY 26
0.5 mi·43 sec·NY 26
36
At end of road, turn left onto US 11; NY 26
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 11; NY 26
37
Continue on US 11; NY 79
31 mi·39 min·US 11; NY 79
38
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 79
0.1 mi·19 sec·Seneca Way
39
Continue on NY 79
0.9 mi·2 min·East Seneca Street
Use the straight lane.
40
Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard
338 ft·15 sec·Taughannock Boulevard
41
Turn left onto NY 96
0.2 mi·21 sec·West Buffalo Street
42
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·2 min·Cliff Street
43
Continue on NY 96
8.7 mi·12 min·Trumansburg Road
44
Continue on NY 96
1.4 mi·2 min·East Main Street
45
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi·11 sec·Trumansburg Road
46
Continue on NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 96
47
Turn right onto CR 141A
1.5 mi·2 min·Powell Road
48
Continue on CR 141
0.9 mi·1 min·County Road 141
49
Turn left onto NY 89
3.4 mi·4 min·State Highway 89
50
Turn left onto Center Road
1.4 mi·1 min·Center Road
51
Turn right onto NY 96
3.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 96
52
Continue on NY 96
485 ft·15 sec·North Town Line Road
53
Continue on NY 96A
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Street
54
Continue on NY 96A
17 mi·23 min·State Highway 96A
55
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.6 mi·2 min·Waterloo-Geneva Road
56
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.1 mi·1 min·Lake Front Drive
57
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.4 mi·3 min·Hamilton Street
58
Continue on US 20; NY 5
0.6 mi·1 min·Canandaigua Road
59
Continue on US 20; NY 5
11 mi·17 min·Routes 5 and 20
60
Continue on US 20; NY 5
2.0 mi·3 min·Eastern Boulevard
61
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; NY 5
2.2 mi·3 min·Western Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
62
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
5.5 mi·7 min·Routes 5 and 20
63
Turn right onto NY 444
1.2 mi·2 min·NY 444
64
Turn right onto East Main Street
48 ft·1 sec·East Main Street
65
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour 45-minute duration, starting early from Jamaica, NY, will allow you to reach Holcomb, NY, with daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically for a break and to refuel if needed, though the estimated $51 fuel cost suggests you may not need to fill up completely. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 73.8 miles on I 81, so be prepared for that segment. This route's highway-centric nature means you can maintain a steady pace, but always be mindful of posted speed limits and potential traffic, especially closer to urban areas at the start of your trip.
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 153.6 miles from Jamaica, NY, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.8 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 68 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.6 miles or 3h 14m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Holcomb, 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 307.2 miles and 6h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 81 for about 73.8 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 46
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
$50.57 one way
$101.13 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$54.68
$109.36
premium
$4.92
$59.54
$119.08
diesel
$5.61
$67.83
$135.65
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
$51
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.2
1
$32.26
$14.75
Efficient EV
76.8
0
$26.88
$12.29
EV Truck/SUV
122.9
1
$43.01
$19.66
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Jamaica, NY
Morning
in Jamaica on Tuesday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 6 to 10 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 8:15PM EDT until April 14 at 8:45PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:57PM EDT until April 14 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Holcomb, NY
Morning
in Holcomb on Tuesday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°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
17 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
6h 45m 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...
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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 10.6
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
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 10.6
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 10.6
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
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 10.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 64% of your journey on major roadways. The main arteries you'll traverse include I 81 and US 11, offering consistent speeds for much of the way. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 73.8 miles on I 81, providing a solid block of highway driving. While predominantly highway, the route may offer some variation as you transition between these main roads, but the overall character remains efficient and direct, minimizing time spent on slower, local roads.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
65 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.8 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. 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 46 significant decision points across 307.2 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 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.
Between Jamaica, NY and Holcomb, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah, Albany and Lisle.
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 6h 45m. Total distance: 307.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 45m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.8 miles on I 81. 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 Holcomb, 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 13.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Holcomb, NY before the return drive.
