Origin
Salem, NY
Morning in Salem on Sunday
Local time
10:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Salem, 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
4h 33m
Distance
203.9 mi
328 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 20m
★
6 AM
4h 33m
8 AM
5h 0m
10 AM
4h 43m
12 PM
4h 40m
3 PM
4h 44m
5 PM
4h 59m
8 PM
4h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Salem, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Jamaica, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Salem, NY to Jamaica, NY is 203.9 miles and takes about 4h 33m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip moves you from the Northeast region of New York down into the same region, ending in Queens. The route is a mix of highway and surface roads, offering a varied driving experience. With a recommended one-day drive time, it's a manageable trip for a single day's travel, suitable for those looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
102 miles from Salem, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 111.2 mi | 2h 8m |
| NY 40 | 22.3 mi | 34m |
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| I 787 | 10.5 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 29 | 10.3 mi | 16m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Van Wyck Expressway | 4.3 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 111.2 mi, about 2h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem, NY and Jamaica, NY.
1
Start on CR 30
40 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Broadway
2
Turn right onto 22
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
3
Continue on NY 22
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 22
4
Turn right onto NY 29
10 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 29
5
At end of road, turn left onto Main Street
60 ft
·
4 sec
·
Main Street
6
Turn right onto Hill Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Hill Street
7
Continue on Hegeman Bridge Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Hegeman Bridge Road
8
At end of road, turn left onto NY 40
22 mi
·
34 min
·
NY 40
9
Turn right onto NY 40; NY 142
465 ft
·
18 sec
·
Plank Road
10
Turn left onto NY 40
3.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Oakwood Avenue
11
Continue on NY 40
392 ft
·
14 sec
·
10th Street
12
Turn right onto NY 7
513 ft
·
16 sec
·
Hoosick Street
Use the right lane.
13
Turn right onto I 787; NY 7
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
I 787; NY 7
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 787
9.4 mi
·
13 min
·
I 787
Use the slight right lane.
15
Continue on I 787
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 787
Exit 1
Toward I 87 Toll: New York State Thruway
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1
17
Merge onto I 87
111 mi
·
2 hr 8 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
20
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.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
23
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
NJ 4
Use the right lane.
24
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
26
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
28
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
30
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 6A
Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Hutchinson River Expressway
33
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
34
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
35
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.
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 6
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic Avenue
Use the right lane.
37
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
38
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Turn left onto Liberty Avenue
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
40
Turn right onto Inwood Street
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Inwood Street
41
Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way
56 ft
·
2 sec
·
Tuskegee Airmen Way
42
Arrive at destination
Tuskegee Airmen Way
Trip Plan
This is a straightforward one-day drive, so you have flexibility in when you depart. Leaving early from Salem, NY, can help you avoid potential traffic as you approach the New York City metropolitan area. The longest stretch without a major road change is 111.2 miles on the New York State Thruway, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get too low. Given the 4h 33m estimated duration, you can easily complete this trip before evening, but keep an eye on the clock as you get closer to your destination in Jamaica, NY.
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 102 miles from Salem, NY, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.2 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 45 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102 miles or 2h 22m 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 38m
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 Salem, 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 Salem, NY
This is one driving day of about 203.9 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Salem, 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 111.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102 miles from Salem, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.2 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 285 decision points cluster between mile 162.5 and 202.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
162.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m 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
163.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m 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
192.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m 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
8
202.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m 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
202.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m 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
$33.14 one way
$66.28 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $35.87 | $71.73 |
| premium | $4.87 | $39.06 | $78.12 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $43.37 | $86.75 |
Estimated Tolls: $28.11
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Whitestone Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(111.2 mi)
$5.56
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
$33
Tolls
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.41 | $9.79 |
| Efficient EV | 51 | 0 | $17.84 | $8.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.6 | 1 | $28.55 | $13.05 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Morning in Jamaica on Sunday
Local time
10:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Montgomery, NY
102 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.
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
4h 33m 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?
About 40% of this 203.9-mile drive is on highways, with the longest continuous stretch being 111.2 miles on the New York State Thruway. You'll experience this highway cruising for a significant portion before transitioning to surface roads like NY 40 and NJ 17. Expect a mixed profile, meaning you'll shift between faster highway speeds and more local road conditions. This transition point will be noticeable as you exit the main Thruway.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.2 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 162.5 miles in near NY 17.
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 28 significant decision points across 203.9 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 162.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.9 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 192.7 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 Salem, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Queens.
Massachusetts Turnpike
50.8 mi in
|
~1h 22m
Exits 22-1
50.8 mi in
|
~1h 22m
Gsp South: Paterson
177.9 mi in
|
~3h 52m
Fort Lee
177.9 mi in
|
~3h 52m
New York
177.9 mi in
|
~3h 52m
Queens
192.7 mi in
|
~4h 13m
About the Cities
Starting in Salem, NY
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Salem Historic District — historic district in Salem, Washington County, New York, United States
- • Revolutionary War Cemetery — cemetery in Salem, Washington County, New York, USA
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 33m. Total distance: 203.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.2 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $28.11 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 162.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.9 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 192.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 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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