Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Albany, NY to New Hempstead, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 24m
Distance
119.2 mi
192 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 15m
★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 44m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 43m
8 PM
2h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Hempstead, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
Albany to New Hempstead is 119.2 miles and takes about 2h 24m via New York State Thruway and Palisades Interstate Parkway, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New York, taking you from the Northeast region down toward the southern part of the state. Most of the route involves surface roads, so expect a more typical driving experience rather than a constant highway pace. It's a straightforward trip that's well within reach for a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.6 miles from Albany, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 96.2 mi | 1h 51m |
| Palisades Interstate Parkway | 9.4 mi | 10m |
| US 6 | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| I 787 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| State Highway 45 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Broadway | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Averell Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Pine Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 96.2 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany, NY and New Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on this road
30 ft
·
4 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto NY 5
352 ft
·
10 sec
·
Washington Avenue
3
Turn left onto Eagle Street
156 ft
·
4 sec
·
Eagle Street
4
Turn slight right onto Pine Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Pine Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto Broadway
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Broadway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto Broadway
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Broadway
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 787 South
8
Merge onto I 787
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 787
9
Continue on I 787
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 787
Exit 1
Toward I 87 Toll: New York State Thruway
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1
11
Merge onto I 87
96 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
New York State Thruway
12
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 16
Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
13
Continue on this road
152 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 131
Toward NY 17 South, NY 32 North: Woodbury, Harriman
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
301 ft
·
9 sec
Toward NY 17 South: Harriman
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on NY 17
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Averell Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward US 6 East: Palisades Interstate Parkway, Bear Mountain, West Point
Use the left lane.
18
Merge onto US 6
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
US 6
19
Enter roundabout
346 ft
·
4 sec
Exit 18
Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
20
Continue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 18
Toward Palisades Interstate Parkway South
21
Merge onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Palisades Interstate Parkway
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 12
Toward NY 45: New Hempstead, Spring Valley
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
476 ft
·
12 sec
Exit 12
Toward NY 45: New Hempstead, Spring Valley
24
Turn straight onto NY 45
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 45
25
Arrive at destination
NY 45
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 24 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with when you depart. Aiming for a mid-morning start should allow you to avoid the worst of any potential rush hour traffic in the Albany or New Hempstead areas. With only 119.2 miles, you won't need to worry about breaking up the drive for rest stops, but keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $20. The transition from highway to surface roads means you'll need to adjust your driving style accordingly as you get closer to New Hempstead.
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 59.6 miles from Albany, NY, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.2 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 26 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.6 miles or 1h 11m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Hempstead, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Albany, 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 Albany, NY
This is one driving day of about 119.2 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Albany, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 96.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.6 miles from Albany, 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 96.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Rest Area I-87 (South Bound)
0 mi from route
Ulster Travel Plaza
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Malden Service Area
0.1 mi from route
Modena Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Plattkill Service Area
0.1 mi from route
Modena Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Plaza 23 Truck Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 100.4 and 117.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
10
100.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 17 South, NY 32 North: Woodbury, Harriman
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 131
Toward NY 17 South, NY 32 North: Woodbury, Harr...
8
100.5 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 17 South: Harriman
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward NY 17 South: Harriman
7
100.9 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Turn left toward US 6 East: Palisades Interstate Parkway, Bear Mountain, West Point
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 6 East: Palisades Interstate Parkway,...
8
117.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward NY 45: New Hempstead, Spring Valley
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 12
Toward NY 45: New Hempstead, Spring Valley
8
117.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 45: New Hempstead, Spring Valley
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 12
Toward NY 45: New Hempstead, Spring Valley
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.62 one way
$39.24 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $21.22 | $42.43 |
| premium | $4.92 | $23.10 | $46.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.32 | $52.64 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.81
New York State Thruway
(96.2 mi)
$4.81
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
$20
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.52 | $5.72 |
| Efficient EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.43 | $4.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.7 | 0 | $16.69 | $7.63 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Origin
Albany, NY
Afternoon in Albany on Sunday
Local time
1:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Hempstead, NY
Afternoon in New Hempstead on Sunday
Local time
1:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°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
16 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 24m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 119.2
View on nps.gov
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 119.2
View on nps.gov
Saratoga National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 119.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features 16% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest stretch on a highway is 96.2 miles along the New York State Thruway. After this, you'll transition to surface roads, which will likely involve more frequent intersections and varying speed limits. Be prepared for a mix of cruising and navigating through local traffic as you approach your destination.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.2 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 100.4 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 19 significant decision points across 119.2 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 100.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.9 miles: 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 Albany, NY and New Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Harriman, Bear Mountain, Point and Palisades Interstate Parkway South.
Harriman
100.4 mi in
|
~1h 59m
Bear Mountain
100.9 mi in
|
~2h
Point
100.9 mi in
|
~2h
Palisades Interstate Parkway South
107.3 mi in
|
~2h 9m
About the Cities
Starting in Albany, NY
Full guide →Founded 1686
Albany is the capital of New York. Albany is an interesting showcase of several centuries' worth of architectural styles, including the modernistic Empire State Plaza.
Top landmarks
- • New York State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of New York
- • Fort Orange — fort in New Netherland (now Albany, New York)
- • Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — historic cathedral in Albany, New York, United States
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 24m. Total distance: 119.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.2 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.81 in tolls one way, starting with New York State Thruway. 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.
Yes — we found about 11 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 New Hempstead, 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. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 100.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Saratoga National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at New Hempstead, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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