Origin
Poughkeepsie, NY
Evening in Poughkeepsie on Sunday
Local time
5:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Poughkeepsie, 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
2h
Distance
81.5 mi
131 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 52m
★
6 AM
2h 0m
8 AM
2h 18m
10 AM
2h 6m
12 PM
2h 5m
3 PM
2h 7m
5 PM
2h 17m
8 PM
1h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Poughkeepsie, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Jamaica, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Poughkeepsie, NY to Jamaica, NY is 81.5 miles and takes about 2h via US 9, US 6, and Sprain Brook Parkway, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within New York, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a predominantly highway experience for most of this drive, making it a straightforward transit. With only one recommended day, this route is well-suited for a quick trip or a segment of a larger journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.8 miles from Poughkeepsie, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 9 | 30.1 mi | 40m |
| US 6 | 14.9 mi | 23m |
| Sprain Brook Parkway | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| Hutchinson River Parkway | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| Van Wyck Expressway | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| Whitestone Expressway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Taconic State Parkway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Bronx-Whitestone Bridge | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 9
— 30.1 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Poughkeepsie, NY and Jamaica, NY.
1
Start on Reservoir Square
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Reservoir Square
2
Continue on South Clinton Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
South Clinton Street
3
Turn left onto Little Smith Street
271 ft
·
11 sec
·
Little Smith Street
4
Turn slight right
110 ft
·
5 sec
5
Merge onto US 44; NY 55
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Mill Street
6
Turn straight onto US 44; NY 55
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
East-West Arterial
7
Continue on US 44; NY 55
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Columbus Drive
8
Continue on US 44; NY 55
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Church Street
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward US 9: Hyde Park, Wappingers Falls
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto US 9
24 ft
·
0 sec
·
US 9
11
Take the exit
512 ft
·
22 sec
Toward US 44 West, NY 55 West, US 9 South: Wappingers Falls
Use the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto US 9
30 mi
·
40 min
·
US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Enter roundabout onto US 6; US 9; US 202
201 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 6; US 9; US 202
Toward Peekskill
14
Continue on US 6; US 9; US 202
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
US 6; US 9; US 202
Toward Peekskill
15
Continue on US 6; US 9; US 202
15 mi
·
23 min
·
US 6; US 9; US 202
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward New York City
17
Merge onto Taconic State Parkway
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Taconic State Parkway
18
Keep slight left at fork onto Sprain Brook Parkway
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Sprain Brook Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on Bronx River Parkway
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Bronx River Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 11E
Toward Cross County Parkway East, Mount Vernon
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 9
Toward Hutchinson Parkway South, Whitestone Bridge
23
Merge onto Hutchinson River Parkway
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Hutchinson River Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 678
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Hutchinson River Expressway
25
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
26
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
27
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.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 6
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue
Use the right lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
30
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Turn left onto Liberty Avenue
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
32
Turn right onto Inwood Street
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Inwood Street
33
Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way
56 ft
·
2 sec
·
Tuskegee Airmen Way
34
Arrive at destination
Tuskegee Airmen Way
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours, leaving Poughkeepsie anytime in the morning or early afternoon should allow you to reach Jamaica, NY with ample daylight. You have flexibility with stops since the drive is less than half a day. Consider a brief stop around the halfway point if needed, but the longest stretch of 30.1 miles on US 9 shouldn't require a break for most drivers. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $13; topping up before you leave Poughkeepsie is a good idea.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.8 miles from Poughkeepsie, NY, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.1 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.8 miles or 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 39m
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 Poughkeepsie, 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 Poughkeepsie, NY
This is one driving day of about 81.5 miles and 2h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Poughkeepsie, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 9 for about 30.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 40.8 miles from Poughkeepsie, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 235 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 80.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the exit toward US 9: Hyde Park, Wappingers Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 9: Hyde Park, Wappingers Falls
8
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the exit toward US 44 West, NY 55 West, US 9 South: Wappingers Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 44 West, NY 55 West, US 9 South: Wapp...
8
62 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward Cross County Parkway East, Mount Vernon
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 11E
Toward Cross County Parkway East, Mount Vernon
8
79.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 6
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlanti...
9
80.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m 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
$13.25 one way
$26.49 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $14.34 | $28.67 |
| premium | $4.87 | $15.61 | $31.23 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $17.34 | $34.67 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.55
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
$13
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.56 | $3.91 |
| Efficient EV | 20.4 | 0 | $7.13 | $3.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.6 | 0 | $11.41 | $5.22 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Evening in Jamaica on Sunday
Local time
5:35 PM
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
13 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
2h on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 94% highway, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for the vast majority of the 81.5 miles. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 30.1 miles, primarily on US 9. You'll transition from highway driving to surface roads for the final 6% of your trip, which will involve navigating local traffic and intersections. Be prepared for numerous exits and merges as you approach your destination.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.1 mi on US 9.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 9 and US 6. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 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 23 significant decision points across 81.5 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 1.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Poughkeepsie, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Peekskill, New York City, Cross County Parkway East, Mount Vernon and Hutchinson Parkway South.
Peekskill
31.5 mi in
|
~42m
|
via US 6; US 9; US 202
New York City
46.4 mi in
|
~1h 6m
Cross County Parkway East
62 mi in
|
~1h 27m
Mount Vernon
62 mi in
|
~1h 27m
Hutchinson Parkway South
63.6 mi in
|
~1h 31m
About the Cities
Starting in Poughkeepsie, NY
Full guide →Founded 1686
Poughkeepsie (pronounced "puh-kip-see") is the name of both a town and a city in Dutchess County in New York's Hudson Valley. The City of Poughkeepsie is along the Hudson River on its eastern shore, where the river marks the boundary of the city and of the county (Ulster County is on the other side). The Town of Poughkeepsie encompasses surrounding areas of Dutchess County bordering on the city, and is more suburban in character.
Top landmarks
- • Vassar College Observatory — observatory
- • Poughkeepsie station — railway station in Poughkeepsie, New York
- • Mill Street-North Clover Street Historic District — historic district in Poughkeepsie, New York
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 2h. Total distance: 81.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 30.1 miles on US 9. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.55 in tolls one way, starting with Whitestone 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Jamaica, NY before heading back.
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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