Fiorentini Restaurant
Near the start, short detour
Rutherford, New Jersey
Hours: 5–8:30 pm
+19737213404
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 11m
Distance
288.8 mi
465 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jamaica, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Sylvan Beach, NY
David Kanigan
Embark on a 288.8-mile journey from Jamaica, NY, to Sylvan Beach, NY, with an estimated driving time of 6 hours and 11 minutes. This route is primarily highway-focused, with 65% of the drive on major interstates, making it a feasible day trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. You'll navigate on I 86, I 81, and Christopher Columbus Highway. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $48. Given the duration, planning for a single, well-paced day is realistic, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, keeping the travel geographically consistent.
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
144.4 miles from Jamaica, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 86 | 60.9 mi | 1h 11m |
| I 81 | 58.1 mi | 1h 9m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 44.6 mi | 52m |
| I 380 | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| Keystone Shortway | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| Watkins Road | 11.6 mi | 15m |
| US 46 | 10.8 mi | 12m |
| NJ 3 | 10.2 mi | 12m |
Step-by-step road directions between Jamaica, NY and Sylvan Beach, 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 left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
Take the exit
Turn left onto CR 64
Take the exit
Merge onto NY 14
At end of road, turn left onto NY 14
Continue on NY 14
Continue on NY 14
Continue on NY 14
Continue on NY 14
Continue on NY 14
Turn left onto Dundee-Glenora Road
Continue on Saunders Street
Turn right onto NY 14A
Continue on NY 14A
Turn left onto NY 14A
Continue on NY 14A
Turn left onto NY 230
Turn left onto CR 26
Turn left onto Lake Street
Continue on Lakeshore Drive
Turn right onto Bubbling Spring Road
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 288.8-mile trip, consider an early morning departure from Jamaica, NY, to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you begin on the interstates. With a total duration of 6 hours and 11 minutes, you'll want to plan for one main stop to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 60.9 miles on I 86, so be sure to take advantage of services before entering that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $48, it's a relatively budget-friendly journey. Since this is a single-day drive, flexibility is key; however, knowing the longest stretch helps you plan your breaks strategically.
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 64 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.4 miles or 3h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sylvan Beach, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jamaica, NY
This is one driving day of about 288.8 miles and 6h 11m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
144 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 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 144.4 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 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Rutherford, New Jersey
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 5–8:30 pm
+19737213404
Hapgoods Restaurant & Bar
Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
Bosphorus Restaurant
Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey
Near the start, short detour
Rutherford, New Jersey
Hours: 5–8:30 pm
+19737213404
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+19732993399
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey
Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm
+19733359690
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Forest Hills, New York
Hours: 12–9 pm
+13475310873
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Boonton, New Jersey
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+19739173334
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Hollis, New York
Hours: 12–9 pm
+13322041966
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Flushing, New York
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+19175637223
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~10 min detour
Owego, New York
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+16072231652
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
South Hackensack, New Jersey
Hours: 10 am–7 pm
+12014265898
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Binghamton, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Watkins Glen, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Waverly, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18668167584
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Horseheads, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Watkins Glen, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887800062
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
New Milford, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+15704652974
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
New Milford, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+15704652974
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Sayre, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Parsippany, New Jersey
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+19732637254
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Whippany, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
Near the start, short detour
Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+12017132156
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Whippany, New Jersey
Hours: Closed
+19738878177
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Montour Falls, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
Near the start, short detour
Secaucus, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+12019151388
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Teterboro, New Jersey
Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm
+12012886344
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
North Bergen, New Jersey
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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.
Take the exit toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
Regular Gas
$47.54 one way
$95.08 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $51.40 | $102.81 |
| premium | $4.92 | $55.97 | $111.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $63.76 | $127.53 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$48
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.6 | 1 | $30.32 | $13.86 |
| Efficient EV | 72.2 | 0 | $25.27 | $11.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115.5 | 1 | $40.43 | $18.48 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Jamaica on Sunday
Local time
5:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Sylvan Beach on Sunday
Local time
5:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°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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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 65% of your time spent on major interstates like I 86 and I 81. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including one segment of 60.9 miles on I 86 without significant interruption. While the majority of the route prioritizes efficient travel, the inclusion of Christopher Columbus Highway suggests potential for varied road conditions as you approach your destination. It's a route designed for covering distance, rather than winding through small towns, so prepare for a steady pace for most of the 6 hours and 11 minutes.
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.
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 288.8 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Jamaica, NY and Sylvan Beach, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Cr 64: Watkins Glen.
Del Water Gap
Mahwah
Cr 64: Watkins Glen
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 11m. Total distance: 288.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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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