Theresa, NY to Jamaica, NY is 345.3 miles and takes about 7h 4m via New York State Thruway, State Highway 12, and Bea Luck Road, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region down towards the more populated areas of the state. Given its mostly surface road profile, expect a more relaxed pace than a pure highway drive. It's a solid option for a single day if you're looking to cover ground efficiently without feeling rushed, especially if you prefer a bit more local flavor on your way.
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
172.6 miles from Theresa, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
201.9 mi
3h 53m
State Highway 12
35.1 mi
46m
Bea Luck Road
19.8 mi
23m
State Route 37
15.9 mi
18m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
Erwin Parkway
9.7 mi
11m
Van Allen Road
8.4 mi
9m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Theresa, NY and Jamaica, NY.
1
Start on NY 26
42 ft·3 sec·Commercial Street
2
Turn right onto NY 26
0.6 mi·49 sec·Main Street
3
Continue on NY 26
1.1 mi·1 min·La Fargeville Road
4
Turn left onto NY 37
16 mi·18 min·State Route 37
5
Merge onto US 11
0.6 mi·39 sec·US 11
6
Enter roundabout onto US 11
204 ft·3 sec·Mill Street
7
Continue on US 11
1.4 mi·1 min·Mill Street
8
Continue on NY 3; NY 12
314 ft·7 sec·Public Square
9
Continue on NY 3; NY 12
1.7 mi·3 min·State Street
10
Turn right onto NY 12
2.4 mi·2 min·Gifford Street
11
Continue on NY 12
8.4 mi·9 min·Van Allen Road
12
Continue on NY 12
1.4 mi·1 min·State Highway 12
13
Continue on NY 12
0.6 mi·41 sec·Main Street
14
Continue on NY 12
0.6 mi·38 sec·High Street
15
Continue on NY 12
0.3 mi·22 sec·County Road 14
16
Continue on NY 12
11 mi·13 min·State Highway 12
17
Continue on NY 12
0.5 mi·1 min·Dayan Street
18
Turn right onto NY 12; NY 26
0.6 mi·1 min·South State Street
19
Continue on NY 12
0.5 mi·1 min·Utica Boulevard
20
Continue on NY 12
20 mi·23 min·Bea Luck Road
21
Continue on NY 12
0.8 mi·51 sec·State Highway 12
22
Continue on NY 12
9.7 mi·11 min·Erwin Parkway
23
Continue on NY 12
22 mi·30 min·State Highway 12
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
25
Merge onto NY 49
0.4 mi·26 sec·State Route 49
26
Continue on I 790; NY 5
0.2 mi·13 sec·I 790; NY 5
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 90
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 90 East
30
Merge onto I 90
84 mi·1 hr 36 min·New York State Thruway
31
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, BostonUse the slight right lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
33
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
34
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
36
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
37
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
38
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
40
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
42
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
44
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.4 mi·5 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 6AToward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, QueensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Merge onto I 678
0.8 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Expressway
47
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi·2 min·Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
48
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi·3 min·Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
49
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.
50
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 6Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Atlantic AvenueUse the right lane.
51
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica AvenueUse the slight right lane.
52
Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West
0.9 mi·2 min·Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
53
Turn left onto Liberty Avenue
0.2 mi·25 sec·Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
54
Turn right onto Inwood Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·Inwood Street
55
Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way
56 ft·2 sec·Tuskegee Airmen Way
56
Arrive at destination
Tuskegee Airmen Way
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 345.3-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from Theresa, NY, to maximize daylight hours. With a duration of around 7 hours, it's feasible to complete in one day, but plan for your two recommended stops to stretch your legs and grab a bite. The longest stretch on the New York State Thruway offers a chance to cover significant distance, so aim to complete a good portion of that before needing your first break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $56, and it's always wise to top off before heading onto the less populated surface road sections.
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 172.6 miles from Theresa, NY, or about 3h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.9 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 76 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.6 miles or 3h 31m 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 41m
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 Theresa, 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 Theresa, NY
This is one driving day of about 345.3 miles and 7h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Theresa, 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 New York State Thruway for about 201.9 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 185.6 and 343.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
185.6 mi into trip|~3h 46m in|New York State Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
9
303.8 mi into trip|~6h 3m 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
305.2 mi into trip|~6h 4m 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
334 mi into trip|~6h 44m 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
343.8 mi into trip|~7h 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
$56.12 one way
$112.24 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$60.74
$121.48
premium
$4.87
$66.15
$132.30
diesel
$5.40
$73.45
$146.90
Estimated Tolls: $32.64
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(201.9 mi)$10.09
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
$56
Tolls
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$114–$139
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.6
1
$36.26
$16.57
Efficient EV
86.3
0
$30.21
$13.81
EV Truck/SUV
138.1
1
$48.34
$22.10
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Forecast as of Apr 25, 2026
Origin
Theresa, NY
Night
in Theresa on Saturday
Local time
9:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jamaica, NY
Night
in Jamaica on Saturday
Local time
9:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Rain Showers
E 12 mph97% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 1:03PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
40°F
Nassau, NY
173 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
2 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 4m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a 29% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of the 7-hour drive on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on the New York State Thruway covers 201.9 miles, offering a period of consistent cruising. After this, you'll transition to State Highway 12 and Bea Luck Road, which will likely involve more varied speed limits and local traffic. Expect to encounter more frequent intersections and potential slowdowns as you move off the main highway.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
56 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 201.9 mi on New York State Thruway.
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 185.6 miles in near New York State Thruway.
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 30 significant decision points across 345.3 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 185.6 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 303.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 305.2 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Theresa, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South, Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
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 7h 4m. Total distance: 345.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 4m 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 201.9 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $32.64 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 185.6 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 303.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 305.2 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 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.
