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Trip from Jamaica, NY to Theresa, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 1m

Distance

338.6 mi

545 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$56

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
6h 50m ★
6 AM
7h 1m
8 AM
7h 24m
10 AM
7h 9m
12 PM
7h 7m
3 PM
7h 10m
5 PM
7h 22m
8 PM
6h 54m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

neighborhood of Queens, New York City, United States

Jamaica, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Theresa, NY, NY

Theresa, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

Jamaica, NY to Theresa, NY is 338.6 miles and takes about 7h 1m via NY 17 and the New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $56 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. It's a highway-focused drive that can be comfortably completed in a single day. If you're looking for a straightforward journey with minimal fuss, this route should fit the bill, especially if you're starting from the New York City metro area.

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

169.3 miles from Jamaica, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 25m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NY 17 117.5 mi 2h 15m
New York State Thruway 63 mi 1h 12m
State Highway 12 24.3 mi 31m
Bea Luck Road 19.8 mi 23m
State Route 37 15.9 mi 18m
NJ 17 14.7 mi 18m
State Highway 28 11.7 mi 17m
Erwin Parkway 9.7 mi 11m
Longest stretch: NY 17 — 117.5 mi, about 2h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jamaica, NY and Theresa, 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; 19N Toward I 95 South, I 278 West, I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Manhattan, New Haven Connecticut Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 50 sec
Exit 19S-W Toward I 95 South, I 278 West: George Washington Bridge, Manhattan Use 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: Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 72A Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus Use 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, Mahwah Use the straight lane.
23

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah Use 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: Albany Use 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 29A Toward NY 169: Little Falls, Dolgeville Use 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

Continue on NY 12

0.5 mi · 1 min · Utica Boulevard
48

Continue on NY 12; NY 26

0.6 mi · 1 min · South State Street
49

Turn left onto NY 12

0.5 mi · 1 min · Dayan Street
50

Continue on NY 12

11 mi · 13 min · State Highway 12
51

Continue on NY 12

0.3 mi · 22 sec · County Road 14
52

Continue on NY 12

0.6 mi · 38 sec · High Street
53

Continue on NY 12

0.6 mi · 41 sec · Main Street
54

Continue on NY 12

1.4 mi · 1 min · State Highway 12
55

Continue on NY 12

8.4 mi · 9 min · Van Allen Road
56

Continue on NY 12

2.4 mi · 2 min · Gifford Street
57

At end of road, turn left onto NY 12

1.8 mi · 4 min · State Street
58

Turn right onto US 11; NY 12

1.4 mi · 1 min · Mill Street
59

Enter roundabout onto US 11

122 ft · 1 sec · US 11
60

Continue on US 11

0.6 mi · 38 sec · US 11
61

Keep slight left at fork onto NY 37

16 mi · 18 min · State Route 37
62

Turn right onto NY 26

1.1 mi · 1 min · La Fargeville Road
63

Continue on NY 26

0.6 mi · 55 sec · Main Street
64

Turn left onto NY 26

42 ft · 0 sec · Commercial Street
65

Arrive at destination

NY 26

Trip Plan

Given the 7-hour duration, leaving Jamaica, NY in the morning, perhaps around 8 or 9 AM, will allow you to arrive in Theresa, NY well before evening. With only 2 planned stops suggested, you can afford to be flexible with your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 117.5-mile stretch on NY 17, as services can be spaced out. The fuel cost estimate of $56 is based on average prices, so adjust based on current rates. This is a manageable one-day trip, so no need to rush or split it over two days.

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 169.3 miles from Jamaica, NY, or about 3h 25m 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 74 miles or 1h 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 169.3 miles or 3h 25m 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 45m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Theresa, 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 338.6 miles and 7h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Albany, NY

169 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Schenectady, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 169.3 miles from Jamaica, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 117.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 34

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

$55.74 one way

$111.47 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 119 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $60.27 $120.54
premium $4.92 $65.63 $131.25
diesel $5.61 $74.76 $149.52

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

$56

Tolls

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$106–$131

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 118.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 101.6 1 $35.55 $16.25
Efficient EV 84.7 0 $29.63 $13.54
EV Truck/SUV 135.4 1 $47.40 $21.67

Gas CO2

118 kg

EV CO2

40 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

Night in Jamaica on Saturday

Local time

9:31 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Theresa, NY

Night in Theresa on Saturday

Local time

9:31 PM

EDT

Current temp

38°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

18 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

7h 1m 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.

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

National Memorial

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 ~13 min detour Free near mile 11.7
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

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...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour Free near mile 11.7
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

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...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

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...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 11.7
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~26 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly a highway experience, with 65% of it on major roads like NY 17 and the New York State Thruway. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on NY 17, covering 117.5 miles without a major change in scenery. While much of the journey involves efficient travel, the inclusion of State Highway 12 offers a slight shift in pace as you approach your destination. Expect a consistent driving feel for the majority of the trip, designed for steady progress rather than winding backroads.

65% 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: 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 Effort 10/10

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 34 significant decision points across 338.6 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.

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 Theresa, NY, road signs point toward Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark, Mahwah and New York State Thruway North: Albany - among others.

Njtp South: Hackensack

18.4 mi in | ~27m

Gsp South

25.4 mi in | ~37m

Gsp North

25.4 mi in | ~37m

Newark

25.4 mi in | ~37m

Mahwah

25.4 mi in | ~37m

New York State Thruway North: Albany

40.7 mi in | ~57m | via NY 17

Dolgeville

221.1 mi in | ~4h 25m

About the Cities

Starting in Jamaica, NY

Full guide →

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).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 1m. Total distance: 338.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 1m 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.

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 Theresa, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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 — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant 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 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Theresa, NY before the return drive.

How this page is built

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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