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Trip from Little Falls, NY to Jamaica, NY

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

Drive Time

4h 35m

Distance

225 mi

362 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 22m ★
6 AM
4h 35m
8 AM
5h 2m
10 AM
4h 45m
12 PM
4h 42m
3 PM
4h 46m
5 PM
5h 1m
8 PM
4h 27m

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

city in Herkimer County, New York, United States

Little Falls, NY

Wikimedia Commons

neighborhood of Queens, New York City, United States

Jamaica, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 225-mile journey from Little Falls, NY to Jamaica, NY should take about 4 hours and 35 minutes, making it a feasible one-day trip. You'll primarily navigate the New York State Thruway, NJ 17, and NJ 4, with about 18% of the drive on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $37 for this route. The overall feel is that of a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for frequent adjustments rather than a straight shot. Given its manageable distance and duration, it's a straightforward drive within the Northeast region.

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

112.5 miles from Little Falls, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 179.9 mi 3h 27m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Cross Bronx Expressway 4.4 mi 5m
Van Wyck Expressway 4.3 mi 6m
Whitestone Expressway 2.3 mi 3m
NY 169 2 mi 3m
I 95 EXPR 1.5 mi 2m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 179.9 mi, about 3h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Little Falls, NY and Jamaica, NY.

1

Start on NY 169

0.1 mi · 13 sec · North Ann Street
2

At end of road, turn left onto NY 5; NY 167

0.6 mi · 1 min · NY 5; NY 167
3

Continue on NY 169

2.0 mi · 3 min · NY 169
4

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
5

Turn straight

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 East
6

Merge onto I 90

62 mi · 1 hr 11 min · New York State Thruway
7

Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway

118 mi · 2 hr 16 min · New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17

0.9 mi · 59 sec · NY 17
Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey Use the slight right lane.
9

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
10

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17

14 mi · 18 min · NJ 17
Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah Use the slight left / straight lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
13

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4
Use the right lane.
14

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
18

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
20

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.4 mi · 5 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min
Exit 6A Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Merge onto I 678

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hutchinson River Expressway
23

Continue on I 678

1.3 mi · 2 min · Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
24

Continue on I 678

2.3 mi · 3 min · Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
25

Keep slight left at fork onto I 678

4.3 mi · 6 min · Van Wyck Expressway
Toward I 678 South: Kennedy Airport Use the slight left lane.
26

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 6 Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue Use the right lane.
27

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue Use the slight right lane.
28

Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West

0.9 mi · 2 min · Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
29

Turn left onto Liberty Avenue

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
30

Turn right onto Inwood Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Inwood Street
31

Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way

56 ft · 2 sec · Tuskegee Airmen Way
32

Arrive at destination

Tuskegee Airmen Way

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 225-mile drive, consider departing early in the morning to bypass potential local traffic, especially as you get closer to your destination. With a total duration of 4 hours and 35 minutes, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day with a single planned stop. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $37. A key piece of advice for this particular route is to stay alert on NJ 17 and NJ 4, as these roads often have many intersections and varying speed limits that demand your focus.

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 112.5 miles from Little Falls, NY, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 179.9 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 50 miles or 1h in

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

Halfway reset

Around 112.5 miles or 2h 12m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 35m

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 Little Falls, 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 Little Falls, NY

This is one driving day of about 225 miles and 4h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Little Falls, 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 New York State Thruway for about 179.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

113 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

Schenectady, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hunter, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 112.5 miles from Little Falls, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 179.9 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 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 65.4 and 223.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
65.4 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in | New York State Thruway

Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
9
183.6 mi into trip | ~3h 34m 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
185 mi into trip | ~3h 35m 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
213.8 mi into trip | ~4h 15m 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
223.6 mi into trip | ~4h 31m 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

$37.04 one way

$74.07 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $40.05 $80.10
premium $4.92 $43.61 $87.22
diesel $5.61 $49.68 $99.35

Estimated Tolls: $31.54

George Washington Bridge $16.00
New York State Thruway (179.9 mi) $8.99
Whitestone Bridge $6.55

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

$37

Tolls

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$94–$119

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 78.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 67.5 0 $23.63 $10.80
Efficient EV 56.3 0 $19.69 $9.00
EV Truck/SUV 90 1 $31.50 $14.40

Gas CO2

79 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (67% 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 Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Little Falls, NY

Night in Little Falls on Saturday

Local time

10:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

--

Unavailable

Destination

Jamaica, NY

Night in Jamaica on Saturday

Local time

10:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Sunny

S 13 mph 7% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 3:55PM EDT until April 14 at 4:15PM EDT by NWS Albany NY

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 2:52PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY

49°F

Ramapo, NY

113 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.

Road read

4h 35m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route offers a dynamic driving experience, blending highway stretches with more involved local roads. While 18% of the drive is on highways, the majority will be on roads like NJ 17 and NJ 4, which can feel more like a busy arterial than a pure interstate. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 179.9 miles on the New York State Thruway, offering a period of consistent cruising before you transition to more active local driving. Be ready for a driving personality that requires your attention with numerous turns and traffic light sequences.

Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 179.9 mi on New York State Thruway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 65.4 miles in near New York State Thruway.

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 20 significant decision points across 225 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 65.4 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 183.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Little Falls, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Queens.

Boston

65.4 mi in | ~1h 17m | via New York State Thruway

Gsp South: Paterson

199 mi in | ~3h 54m

Fort Lee

199 mi in | ~3h 54m

New York

199 mi in | ~3h 54m

Queens

213.8 mi in | ~4h 15m

About the Cities

Starting in Little Falls, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1723

Little Falls is a small city in Central New York, located along the Erie Canal.

Top landmarks

  • Little Falls Historic District — historic district in New York, United States

Arriving 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 4h 35m. Total distance: 225 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 179.9 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $31.54 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 65.4 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 183.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Jamaica, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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