This 305.9-mile drive from Newark, NY to Jamaica, NY is estimated to take about 6 hours and 31 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll primarily navigate via I 81 and the Keystone Shortway, with a portion on I 380. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $50. Given the relatively short duration and the fact that both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, this route offers a straightforward connection. With only one recommended stop and a manageable longest stretch of 98.8 miles, you can complete this trip in a single day.
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
152.9 miles from Newark, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Geneva Street
7.6 mi
9m
New York State Thruway
6.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newark, NY and Jamaica, NY.
1
Start on NY 88
32 ft·8 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto NY 31
1.3 mi·1 min·East Union Street
3
Continue on NY 31
4.5 mi·5 min·State Route 31
4
Continue on NY 31
0.2 mi·21 sec·Forgham Street
5
Turn right onto NY 14
7.6 mi·9 min·Geneva Street
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Use the right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
8
Merge onto I 90
6.3 mi·7 min·New York State Thruway
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
11
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
12
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
14
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
16
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
17
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
18
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
19
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
20
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
21
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
22
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
23
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
24
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
25
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
26
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
28
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
33
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
34
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
36
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
38
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
40
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
41
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
42
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
43
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
45
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
47
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
49
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi·5 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 6AToward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Expressway
52
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi·2 min·Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
53
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi·3 min·Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
54
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.
55
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 6Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic AvenueUse the right lane.
56
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica AvenueUse the slight right lane.
57
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi·2 min·Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
58
Turn left onto Liberty Avenue
0.2 mi·25 sec·Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
59
Turn right onto Inwood Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·Inwood Street
60
Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way
56 ft·2 sec·Tuskegee Airmen Way
61
Arrive at destination
Tuskegee Airmen Way
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour and 31-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Newark, NY, to maximize daylight and potentially avoid some traffic. Although it's recommended as a one-day trip with only one stop, be prepared for the 'turn-heavy local drive' character by pacing yourself and taking breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before longer stretches like the 98.8 miles on I 81, and plan your single stop strategically. The $50 fuel cost is an estimate, so monitor your consumption.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 152.9 miles from Newark, NY, or about 3h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 67 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.9 miles or 3h 20m 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 16m
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 Newark, 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 Newark, NY
This is one driving day of about 305.9 miles and 6h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Newark, 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 I 81 for about 98.8 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 41
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.3 and 304.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
20.3 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
170.6 mi into trip|~3h 41m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
285.1 mi into trip|~5h 57m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
285.4 mi into trip|~5h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
9
304.4 mi into trip|~6h 27m 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
$50.35 one way
$100.71 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$54.45
$108.90
premium
$4.92
$59.29
$118.58
diesel
$5.61
$67.54
$135.08
Estimated Tolls: $22.87
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Whitestone Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(6.3 mi)$0.32
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
$50
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.8
1
$32.12
$14.68
Efficient EV
76.5
0
$26.77
$12.24
EV Truck/SUV
122.4
1
$42.83
$19.58
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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 16, 2026
Origin
Newark, NY
Late night
in Newark on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jamaica, NY
Late night
in Jamaica on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 6 to 12 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
24 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 31m 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.
Women's Rights National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 21.1
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 284.8
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 284.8
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 31.6
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
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 284.8
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 305.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile for this 305.9-mile journey, despite 54% of it being on highways. While you'll experience stretches like the 98.8-mile segment on I 81, the route isn't solely a monotonous interstate cruise. The 'turn-heavy' description suggests you'll encounter more varied road conditions, potentially including more frequent changes in speed limits and road types as you transition between major highways and local roads. This mix means you’ll need to stay engaged behind the wheel.
Only 54% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
61 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 81.
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 20.3 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 41 significant decision points across 305.9 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 20.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 285.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Newark, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.
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 6h 31m. Total distance: 305.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $22.87 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 20.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 285.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Women's Rights National Historical Park, General Grant National Memorial and Hamilton Grange National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 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.
