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Trip from Wellsville, NY to Jamaica, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 58m

Distance

191.2 mi

308 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 46m ★
6 AM
3h 59m
8 AM
4h 25m
10 AM
4h 8m
12 PM
4h 5m
3 PM
4h 9m
5 PM
4h 23m
8 PM
3h 51m

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

town in Allegany County, New York, United States of America

Wellsville, NY

Wikimedia Commons

neighborhood of Queens, New York City, United States

Jamaica, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Wellsville, NY to Jamaica, NY is 191.2 miles and takes about 3h 58m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily traversing New York before a short stint in New Jersey. Given the relatively short duration and the primary use of the New York State Thruway, this route is ideal for a single-day drive. It offers a straightforward path with minimal complexity, making it a practical choice for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

95.6 miles from Wellsville, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 142.8 mi 2h 44m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Cross Bronx Expressway 4.4 mi 5m
Van Wyck Expressway 4.3 mi 6m
Whitestone Expressway 2.3 mi 3m
Mill Point Road 1.7 mi 3m
State Highway 161 1.6 mi 2m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 142.8 mi, about 2h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Herrick Road

78 ft · 8 sec · Herrick Road
2

Turn left onto CR 143

0.9 mi · 2 min · Youngs Corners Road
3

Turn right onto NY 161

1.7 mi · 3 min · Mill Point Road
4

Continue on NY 161

1.6 mi · 2 min · State Highway 161
5

Continue on NY 30

0.5 mi · 44 sec · State Highway 30
6

Continue on NY 30

1.5 mi · 2 min · Minaville Road
7

Take the ramp

367 ft · 9 sec
8

Continue on this road

525 ft · 14 sec · this road
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 East
10

Merge onto I 90

25 mi · 28 min · New York State Thruway
11

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, Boston Use the slight right lane.
12

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.
13

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
14

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.
15

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
17

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4
Use the right lane.
18

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
22

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
24

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.4 mi · 5 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min
Exit 6A Toward I 678 South: Whitestone Bridge, Queens Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Merge onto I 678

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hutchinson River Expressway
27

Continue on I 678

1.3 mi · 2 min · Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
28

Continue on I 678

2.3 mi · 3 min · Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
29

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.
30

Take the exit

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

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue Use the slight right lane.
32

Turn straight onto Van Wyck Expressway West

0.9 mi · 2 min · Van Wyck Expressway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
33

Turn left onto Liberty Avenue

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
34

Turn right onto Inwood Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Inwood Street
35

Turn right onto Tuskegee Airmen Way

56 ft · 2 sec · Tuskegee Airmen Way
36

Arrive at destination

Tuskegee Airmen Way

Trip Plan

For this 191.2-mile drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for potential traffic delays, especially as you near Jamaica, NY. The 3h 58m estimated duration means you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, budgeting around $31, and consider topping off before you leave the New York State Thruway, as services can be more spaced out on the highway compared to the surface roads you'll encounter later in the trip.

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 95.6 miles from Wellsville, NY, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.8 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 42 miles or 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 95.6 miles or 1h 55m 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 6m

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 Wellsville, 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 Wellsville, NY

This is one driving day of about 191.2 miles and 3h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Wellsville, 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 142.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Cheshire, England

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chester, NY

96 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

Albany, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Poughkeepsie, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 95.6 miles from Wellsville, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 142.8 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 23

5 decision points cluster between mile 31.6 and 189.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
31.6 mi into trip | ~41m 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
149.8 mi into trip | ~2h 57m 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
151.2 mi into trip | ~2h 59m 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
180 mi into trip | ~3h 39m 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
189.8 mi into trip | ~3h 55m 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

$31.07 one way

$62.15 round trip

$4.13/gal 25.4 MPG avg 67 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.47 $33.63 $67.27
premium $4.87 $36.63 $73.26
diesel $5.40 $40.67 $81.34

Estimated Tolls: $29.69

George Washington Bridge $16.00
New York State Thruway (142.8 mi) $7.14
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

$31

Tolls

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$86–$111

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 66.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 57.4 0 $20.08 $9.18
Efficient EV 47.8 0 $16.73 $7.65
EV Truck/SUV 76.5 0 $26.77 $12.24

Gas CO2

67 kg

EV CO2

22 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 24, 2026

Origin

Wellsville, NY

Afternoon in Wellsville on Sunday

Local time

12:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jamaica, NY

Afternoon in Jamaica on Sunday

Local time

12:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

38°F

Chester, NY

96 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

15 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

3h 58m 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 mostly surface roads, with about 20% of the total mileage on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 142.8 miles on the New York State Thruway, which means a significant portion of your travel will be on this limited-access road. After exiting the Thruway, expect to navigate through towns and local traffic on NJ 17 and NJ 4. The transition from highway cruising to surface street driving will be noticeable as you approach your destination.

Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 142.8 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 31.6 miles in near New York State Thruway.

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 191.2 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 31.6 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.2 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 Wellsville, NY and Jamaica, NY, road signs point toward Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Queens.

Boston

31.6 mi in | ~41m | via New York State Thruway

Gsp South: Paterson

165.2 mi in | ~3h 17m

Fort Lee

165.2 mi in | ~3h 17m

New York

165.2 mi in | ~3h 17m

Queens

180 mi in | ~3h 39m

About the Cities

Starting in Wellsville, NY

Full guide →

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 3h 58m. Total distance: 191.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 142.8 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $29.69 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 31.6 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.2 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 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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