Origin
Jamaica, NY
Night in Jamaica on Saturday
Local time
9:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jamaica, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Theresa, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Jamaica, NY and Theresa, 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
Merge onto I 678
Continue on I 678
Continue on I 678
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 4
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on I 287; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Continue on NY 169
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5; NY 167; NY 169
Turn right onto NY 167
At end of road, turn left onto NY 169
Continue on NY 28
Continue on NY 28
Continue on NY 28
Continue on NY 28
Continue on NY 8; NY 28
Turn right onto NY 28
Turn right onto NY 12
Continue on NY 12; NY 28
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12; NY 26
Turn left onto NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
At end of road, turn left onto NY 12
Turn right onto US 11; NY 12
Enter roundabout onto US 11
Continue on US 11
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 37
Turn right onto NY 26
Continue on NY 26
Turn left onto NY 26
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop 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.
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.
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
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
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
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$55.74 one way
$111.47 round trip
| 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
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Jamaica on Saturday
Local time
9:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Theresa on Saturday
Local time
9:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°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 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.
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.
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.
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
Gsp South
Gsp North
Newark
Mahwah
New York State Thruway North: Albany
Dolgeville
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 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.
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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