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Trip from Ontario, 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

6h 56m

Distance

330.7 mi

532 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$54

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
6h 45m ★
6 AM
6h 56m
8 AM
7h 19m
10 AM
7h 4m
12 PM
7h 2m
3 PM
7h 5m
5 PM
7h 18m
8 PM
6h 49m

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

town in Wayne County, New York, United States

Ontario, NY

Wikimedia Commons

neighborhood of Queens, New York City, United States

Jamaica, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Ontario, NY to Jamaica, NY covers 330.7 miles and takes about 6h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 81, Keystone Shortway, NY 104 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 128.7 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $54.44 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

165.3 miles from Ontario, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 30m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 128.7 mi 2h 32m
Keystone Shortway 80 mi 1h 37m
NY 104 26.8 mi 37m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
I 690 8.7 mi 10m
State Highway 370 7.9 mi 10m
NY 31 5.9 mi 7m
West Genesee Road 5.7 mi 8m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 128.7 mi, about 2h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on CR 103

91 ft · 5 sec · Ridge Road
2

Turn right onto CR 110

0.4 mi · 1 min · Furnace Road
3

Turn right onto NY 104

27 mi · 37 min · NY 104
4

Turn right onto CR 163

2.2 mi · 2 min · Ridge Road
5

Turn slight right onto NY 370

2.1 mi · 2 min · State Route 370
6

Continue on NY 370

7.9 mi · 10 min · State Highway 370
7

Continue on NY 370

3.6 mi · 7 min · West Main Street
8

Continue on NY 370

1.7 mi · 2 min · State Route 370
9

Continue on NY 370

0.7 mi · 53 sec · Main Street
10

Continue on NY 370

5.7 mi · 8 min · West Genesee Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
11

Take the exit onto NY 31

5.9 mi · 7 min · NY 31
Use the left lane.
12

Continue on I 690

8.7 mi · 10 min · I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 81

2.8 mi · 4 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I-81

0.8 mi · 48 sec · I-81
16

Continue on I 81

73 mi · 1 hr 25 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

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.
18

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.
19

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.
20

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
21

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
22

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
23

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.
24

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.
25

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.
26

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue
28

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
29

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
30

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
31

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
33

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
35

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
37

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.4 mi · 5 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min
Exit 6A Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39

Merge onto I 678

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hutchinson River Expressway
40

Continue on I 678

1.3 mi · 2 min · Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
41

Continue on I 678

2.3 mi · 3 min · Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
42

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.
43

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 6 Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue Use the right lane.
44

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue Use the slight right lane.
45

Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West

0.9 mi · 2 min · Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
46

Turn left onto Liberty Avenue

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
47

Turn right onto Inwood Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Inwood Street
48

Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way

56 ft · 2 sec · Tuskegee Airmen Way
49

Arrive at destination

Tuskegee Airmen Way

Trip Plan

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 165.3 miles from Ontario, NY, or about 3h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.7 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 73 miles or 1h 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 165.3 miles or 3h 30m 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 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 Ontario, 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 Ontario, NY

This is one driving day of about 330.7 miles and 6h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Ontario, 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 128.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Broome County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vestal, NY

165 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

LaFayette, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Endwell, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 165.3 miles from Ontario, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 128.7 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 30

5 decision points cluster between mile 195.4 and 329.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
195.4 mi into trip | ~4h 6m 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
310 mi into trip | ~6h 22m 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
310.2 mi into trip | ~6h 22m 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
8
319.4 mi into trip | ~6h 36m 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
329.3 mi into trip | ~6h 52m 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

$54.44 one way

$108.87 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 116 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $58.86 $117.72
premium $4.92 $64.10 $128.19
diesel $5.61 $73.01 $146.03

Estimated Tolls: $22.55

George Washington Bridge $16.00
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

$54

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$102–$127

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 115.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 99.2 1 $34.72 $15.87
Efficient EV 82.7 0 $28.94 $13.23
EV Truck/SUV 132.3 1 $46.30 $21.16

Gas CO2

116 kg

EV CO2

39 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 18, 2026

Origin

Ontario, NY

Morning in Ontario on Sunday

Local time

10:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jamaica, NY

Morning in Jamaica on Sunday

Local time

10:27 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny

E 5 to 12 mph 0% chance 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

4 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 56m 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.

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 322.8
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour Free near mile 322.8
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

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 334.4
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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...

10 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 311.3
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 334.4
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free near mile 334.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

330.7 mi in 6h 56m, mostly highway — 128.7 mi of that is on I 81.

68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
49 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.7 mi on I 81.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 195.4 miles in near US 6.

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 30 significant decision points across 330.7 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 195.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 310 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 310.2 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 Ontario, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.

Mt Pocono

195.4 mi in | ~4h 6m | via US 6

Milford

196.2 mi in | ~4h 7m | via I 84; I 380

New York City

310 mi in | ~6h 22m

Leonia

310.2 mi in | ~6h 22m

Teaneck

310.2 mi in | ~6h 22m

George Washington Bridge Upper Level

312.5 mi in | ~6h 26m

About the Cities

Starting in Ontario, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1806

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 6h 56m. Total distance: 330.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 56m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 128.7 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $22.55 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 195.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 310 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 310.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Gateway National Recreation Area (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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