Traveling from Lenox to Jamaica covers 252.5 miles of Northeast terrain, typically requiring about 5 hours and 34 minutes of driving time. Because this route is manageable in a single day, you can comfortably complete the trip without an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $41 on fuel for the journey, though your actual costs will depend on your vehicle’s efficiency. This highway-focused drive relies heavily on NY 17, State Highway 8, and NJ 17 to navigate between the two points. It is a straightforward transit route, making it an efficient choice for travelers prioritizing speed over leisurely sightseeing. If you are looking for a practical way to connect these two New York locations, this path offers a reliable, time-efficient solution.
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
126.3 miles from Lenox, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
106 mi
2h 12m
State Highway 8
36.8 mi
41m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
New York State Thruway
13.7 mi
15m
State Highway 12
10.2 mi
15m
Rexford Street
8.3 mi
9m
State Route 46
7 mi
10m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 106 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lenox, NY and Jamaica, NY.
1
Start on CR 54
0.2 mi·36 sec·South Court Street
2
Turn sharp left onto CR 92
0.4 mi·58 sec·Clockville Road
3
Turn right onto CR 29
0.2 mi·38 sec·Creek Road
4
Turn left onto CR 100
3.3 mi·7 min·Mount Hope Avenue
5
At end of road, turn right onto NY 46
5.6 mi·8 min·State Route 46
6
Continue on NY 46
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
7
Continue on NY 46
5.8 mi·7 min·Bear Path Road
8
Turn right onto NY 46
120 ft·8 sec·NY 46
9
Continue on US 20; NY 46
0.2 mi·24 sec·US 20; NY 46
10
Continue on NY 46
1.4 mi·1 min·State Route 46
11
Continue on NY 12B
2.0 mi·2 min·State Route 12B
12
Continue on NY 12B
1.1 mi·1 min·Utica Street
13
Turn slight right onto NY 12B
1.1 mi·1 min·Broad Street
14
Continue on NY 12B
4.6 mi·6 min·State Route 12B
15
Continue on NY 12B
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
16
Continue on NY 12B
3.7 mi·5 min·State Highway 12B
17
Continue on NY 12B
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
18
Continue on NY 12
10 mi·15 min·State Highway 12
19
Continue on NY 12
0.6 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
20
Turn left onto NY 23
8.3 mi·9 min·Rexford Street
21
Turn right onto NY 8
18 mi·20 min·State Highway 8
22
Continue on NY 8
0.4 mi·29 sec·Airport Road
23
Continue on NY 8
19 mi·21 min·State Highway 8
24
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.3 mi·18 sec·Oak Street
25
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.4 mi·44 sec·State Highway 10
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward NY 17 East
27
Merge onto NY 17
105 mi·2 hr 11 min·NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·59 sec
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York CityUse the slight right lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York CityUse the slight right lane.
30
Merge onto I 87
14 mi·15 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
32
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
33
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
36
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
37
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
39
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
41
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
43
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi·5 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 6AToward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Expressway
46
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi·2 min·Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
47
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi·3 min·Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
48
Keep slight left at fork onto I 678
4.3 mi·6 min·Van Wyck Expressway
Toward I 678 South: Kennedy AirportUse the slight left lane.
49
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 6Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic AvenueUse the right lane.
50
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica AvenueUse the slight right lane.
51
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi·2 min·Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
52
Turn left onto Liberty Avenue
0.2 mi·25 sec·Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
53
Turn right onto Inwood Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·Inwood Street
54
Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way
56 ft·2 sec·Tuskegee Airmen Way
55
Arrive at destination
Tuskegee Airmen Way
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 34-minute drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid potential congestion on the busier stretches of NJ 17. Since the plan includes one recommended stop, use that break to stretch and refuel effectively rather than making multiple short, time-consuming halts. Because this trip is designed as a one-day excursion, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure based on local traffic patterns. Keep a close eye on the 106-mile stretch along NY 17, as this is your best opportunity to make significant progress before needing to pull over for a rest. Planning your refueling around the $41 estimate will help you stay on budget while ensuring you reach Jamaica without unnecessary stress.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 126.3 miles from Lenox, NY, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106 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 56 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.3 miles or 2h 47m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jamaica, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lenox, 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 Lenox, NY
This is one driving day of about 252.5 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Lenox, 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 NY 17 for about 106 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 195.8 and 251.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
195.8 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
9
211.1 mi into trip|~4h 33m in|NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
212.5 mi into trip|~4h 34m in|NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
241.3 mi into trip|~5h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens
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 6A
Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens
9
251.1 mi into trip|~5h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.85 one way
$81.69 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$44.33
$88.65
premium
$4.85
$48.19
$96.39
diesel
$4.80
$47.68
$95.35
Estimated Tolls: $23.23
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Whitestone Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(13.7 mi)$0.68
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
$41
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.8
0
$26.51
$12.12
Efficient EV
63.1
0
$22.09
$10.10
EV Truck/SUV
101
1
$35.35
$16.16
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Lenox, NY
Morning
in Lenox on Tuesday
Local time
6:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Areas Of Smoke
SW 8 to 13 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:46AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 18 at 2:52AM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Jamaica, NY
Morning
in Jamaica on Tuesday
Local time
6:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Areas Of Smoke
S 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:46AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 18 at 2:52AM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
59°F
New Berlin, NY
126 mi in
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
12 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
5h 34m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 235.1
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 235.1
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...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 235.1
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 235.1
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 235.1
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
near mile 252.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as roughly 82% of your time will be spent on highways. The road personality shifts from regional routes to major corridors, providing a fairly consistent experience behind the wheel. You will encounter your longest stretch of uninterrupted driving during a 106-mile segment on NY 17, which serves as the backbone of your journey. While the transition across different state highways keeps the drive moving, the lack of frequent turns means you can maintain a steady pace for most of the 252.5-mile trip. Prepare for a focused drive that prioritizes efficiency and movement over technical or winding backroads.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
55 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and State Highway 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 195.8 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 29 significant decision points across 252.5 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 195.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.1 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.5 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,561 ft41 ft
Total Climb
1,672 ft
Total Descent
2,171 ft
Highest Point
1,561 ft
~72.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,520 ft
Notable High Points
1,561 ft at ~72.2 miles+511 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lenox, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany, New York City, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Nyst: Albany
195.8 mi in|~4h 14m
New York City
195.8 mi in|~4h 14m
Gsp South: Paterson
226.5 mi in|~4h 53m
Fort Lee
226.5 mi in|~4h 53m
New York
226.5 mi in|~4h 53m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 5h 34m. Total distance: 252.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.23 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.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Jamaica, 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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 195.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.1 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.5 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Jamaica, NY before the return drive.
