Origin
North Gates, NY
Late night in North Gates on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Gates, NY to Jamaica, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 9m
Distance
336.8 mi
542 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 59m
★
6 AM
7h 10m
8 AM
7h 32m
10 AM
7h 18m
12 PM
7h 15m
3 PM
7h 19m
5 PM
7h 31m
8 PM
7h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Gates, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Jamaica, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
North Gates, NY to Jamaica, NY is 336.8 miles and takes about 7h 9m via I 81, Keystone Shortway, and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, traversing New York. The route is mostly surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure interstate drive. With only one recommended day, this is a feasible drive for most people looking to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
168.4 miles from North Gates, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 98.8 mi | 1h 57m |
| Keystone Shortway | 80 mi | 1h 37m |
| New York State Thruway | 30 mi | 34m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Western Expressway | 18.4 mi | 24m |
| East Lake Road | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| State Highway 41 | 9.8 mi | 13m |
| Clark Street Road | 9.6 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 168 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,210 veh/hr typical · worst 4,900
Quietest
1 AM
~430 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Gates, NY and Jamaica, NY.
1
Start on CR 136
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Long Pond Road
2
Turn left onto NY 31
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
Spencerport Road
3
Continue on NY 31
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Lyell Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 390 South, I 490 West: Airport
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 490 East, I 390 South: Rochester, Airport
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 20A
Toward I 490 East: Rochester
7
Merge onto I 490
18 mi
·
24 min
·
Western Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
9
Merge onto I 90
30 mi
·
34 min
·
New York State Thruway
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft
·
7 sec
12
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
State Route 414
13
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
NY 318
Use the left lane.
14
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Auburn Road
15
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi
·
11 min
·
Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft
·
12 sec
·
State Street
17
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Dill Street
18
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft
·
16 sec
·
Loop Road
19
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Genesee Street
20
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
West Genesee Street Road
21
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Lake Street
22
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi
·
13 min
·
East Lake Road
23
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 41
24
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Lake Road
25
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 41
26
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North West Street
27
Take the ramp
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the left lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
29
Merge onto I 81
45 mi
·
54 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
Use the straight lane.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 6
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford
Use the straight lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 380
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
34
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
35
Merge onto I 80
80 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level
Use the slight right lane.
37
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
Use the slight right lane.
39
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 70A
Toward Leonia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft
·
9 sec
·
Degraw Avenue
41
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
42
Continue on CR 56
469 ft
·
13 sec
·
Main Street
43
Take the ramp
472 ft
·
12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
44
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Take the exit
312 ft
·
4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
46
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
48
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
50
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 6A
Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Hutchinson River Expressway
53
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
54
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
55
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.
56
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 6
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue
Use the right lane.
57
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
58
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
59
Turn left onto Liberty Avenue
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
60
Turn right onto Inwood Street
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Inwood Street
61
Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way
56 ft
·
2 sec
·
Tuskegee Airmen Way
62
Arrive at destination
Tuskegee Airmen Way
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, leaving in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight. You have two planned stops, which should be sufficient for stretching your legs and grabbing a bite. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longer highway stretches. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in departure time, but aim to start early to avoid potential late-day traffic as you approach Jamaica, NY. The fuel cost estimate of $55 is a good baseline, but check current prices.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 168.4 miles from North Gates, NY, or about 3h 40m 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 74 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.4 miles or 3h 40m 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 48m
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 North Gates, 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 North Gates, NY
This is one driving day of about 336.8 miles and 7h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from North Gates, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
168 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 168.4 miles from North Gates, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.8 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 435 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 335.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 490 East, I 390 South: Rochester, Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 490 East, I 390 South: Rochester, Airp...
8
51.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m 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
201.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 19m 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...
9
316.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 36m 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
335.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 6m 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
$54.74 one way
$109.47 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
118 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $59.24 | $118.49 |
| premium | $4.87 | $64.52 | $129.04 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $71.64 | $143.29 |
Estimated Tolls: $24.05
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Whitestone Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(30 mi)
$1.50
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
$55
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$104–$129
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 101 | 1 | $35.36 | $16.17 |
| Efficient EV | 84.2 | 0 | $29.47 | $13.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 134.7 | 1 | $47.15 | $21.56 |
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Jamaica, NY
Late night in Jamaica on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
14 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
7h 9m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
About 53% of this 336.8-mile drive is on highways, including a stretch of 98.8 miles on I 81. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface roads at some point, so be prepared for varying speed limits and traffic patterns. The longest continuous highway segment is nearly 100 miles, so you'll have extended periods of consistent driving before hitting more populated areas.
Only 53% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
62 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 1.7 miles in.
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 43 significant decision points across 336.8 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 1.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.5 miles (US 6): 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North Gates, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.
Clyde
51.2 mi in
|
~1h 3m
Mt Pocono
201.5 mi in
|
~4h 19m
|
via US 6
Milford
202.3 mi in
|
~4h 21m
|
via I 84; I 380
New York City
316 mi in
|
~6h 35m
Leonia
316.3 mi in
|
~6h 36m
Teaneck
316.3 mi in
|
~6h 36m
George Washington Bridge Upper Level
318.6 mi in
|
~6h 40m
About the Cities
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 7h 9m. Total distance: 336.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 $24.05 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 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.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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