Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
22m
Distance
12.2 mi
20 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kensington, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Jamaica, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning just 12.2 miles, this short trek between Kensington and Jamaica, NY, is a straightforward trip that fits easily into a single day. You can expect a quick transit time of approximately 22 minutes, making it an ideal choice if you need to navigate between these two Northeast hubs efficiently. With a total fuel cost of only $2, it is an incredibly budget-friendly drive. Because the distance is so manageable, there is no need to plan for overnight stays or complex logistics. Whether you are running errands or heading to an appointment, this route offers a practical, no-nonsense connection within the region.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Linden Boulevard | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| Church Avenue | 2.9 mi | 7m |
| Nassau Expressway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Van Wyck Expressway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| South Conduit Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Inwood Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Liberty Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Van Wyck Expressway East | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kensington, NY and Jamaica, NY.
Start on Albemarle Road
Turn right onto Coney Island Avenue
Turn right onto Church Avenue
Turn right onto Linden Boulevard
Take the ramp
Merge onto NY 27
Continue on NY 27
Continue on NY 27
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 878
Take the exit
Merge onto I 678
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 678
Take the exit
Continue on Van Wyck Expressway East
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
Turn right onto Inwood Street
Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.8 and 11.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 878 / Nassau Expressway toward NY 878 East: Nassau Expressway, Van Wyck Expressway, Kennedy Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 678 North: Bronx, Whitestone Bridge, Van Wyck Expressway
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 Rockaway Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Liberty Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$2.01 one way
$4.02 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $2.17 | $4.34 |
| premium | $4.92 | $2.36 | $4.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.69 | $5.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.28 | $0.59 |
| Efficient EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.07 | $0.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.71 | $0.78 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Morning in Kensington on Sunday
Local time
7:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Clear
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 2:05PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Morning in Jamaica on Sunday
Local time
7:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This trip features a mixed driving profile, alternating between local surface streets and faster expressway segments. You will spend about 31% of your time on highways, providing a balance between steady traffic flow and neighborhood navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 3.8-mile run along Linden Boulevard, which serves as a primary artery for your journey. As you transition from the local streets of Church Avenue onto the Nassau Expressway, the driving rhythm shifts from stop-and-go city pace to a more consistent highway speed. Expect a functional drive that prioritizes directness over scenery as you make your way across the borough.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.8 miles in near NY 878 / Nassau Expressway.
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 12.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 22m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.8 miles (NY 878 / Nassau Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
50 ft
Total Descent
55 ft
Highest Point
53 ft
~0.5 mi in
Elevation Range
43 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Kensington, NY to Jamaica, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Kennedy Airport along the way.
Kennedy Airport
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 22m. Total distance: 12.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (31%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Kensington, NY or browse trips ending in Jamaica, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.
