Traveling from Albion to Hempstead covers 371.7 miles across New York State, a journey that takes approximately 7 hours and 52 minutes of drive time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you can complete this trip in a single day, though it requires sustained focus behind the wheel. Expect to budget around $61 for fuel to cover the distance. While the drive remains within the Northeast region, the transition from the Albion area down to Hempstead involves significant changes in traffic density. Planning for two strategic stops will help you maintain your pace while managing the nearly eight-hour duration. This route is best suited for drivers who prefer a direct, purposeful trek rather than a leisurely sightseeing tour.
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
185.8 miles from Albion, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
New York State Thruway
30 mi
34m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Western Expressway
20.1 mi
26m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albion, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on NY 98
0.4 mi·49 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto NY 31
1.4 mi·1 min·East Avenue
3
Continue on NY 31
3.8 mi·4 min·State Route 31
4
Continue on NY 31
1.1 mi·1 min·Fancher Road
5
Turn straight onto NY 31
0.3 mi·18 sec·State Route 31
6
Continue on NY 31
2.3 mi·2 min·Holley Road
7
Continue on NY 31
0.5 mi·36 sec·West Albion Street
8
Continue on NY 31
0.1 mi·7 sec·Wright Street
9
Continue on NY 31
408 ft·5 sec·Public Square
10
Continue on NY 31
382 ft·5 sec·Mechanic Street
11
Continue on NY 31
0.5 mi·1 min·State Street
12
Continue on NY 31
1.6 mi·2 min·Brockport-Holley Road
13
Continue on NY 31
1.0 mi·1 min·West Avenue
14
Turn right onto NY 19 Truck; NY 31
1.5 mi·1 min·Redman Road
15
Turn left onto NY 19 Truck; NY 31
1.2 mi·1 min·Fourth Section Road
16
Continue on NY 31
4.8 mi·5 min·Brockport-Spencerport Road
17
Continue on NY 531
7.5 mi·8 min·NY 531
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 490 East: Rochester
19
Merge onto I 490
20 mi·26 min·Western Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
21
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
24
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
25
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
26
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
27
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
29
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
30
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
31
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
32
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
33
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
34
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
35
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
36
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
37
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
38
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
39
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
40
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
41
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
43
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
44
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
45
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
46
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
47
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
48
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
49
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
51
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
53
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
54
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
55
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
56
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
57
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
58
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
59
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
60
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
61
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
62
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
63
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
2.0 mi·2 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6BToward I 295 South: Throgs Neck BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
64
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
65
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
66
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
67
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
68
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi·2 min·Braddock Avenue
69
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi·34 sec·Jamaica Avenue
70
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi·56 sec·Jericho Turnpike
71
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
72
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·New Hyde Park Road
73
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi·3 min·Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
74
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the right lane.
75
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
76
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi·26 sec·Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
77
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 371.7-mile trek, aim for an early morning departure to navigate the turn-heavy segments before peak local traffic intensifies. Since your total travel time is nearly eight hours, pacing your two required stops is essential to avoid fatigue. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer stretches, particularly when moving off the primary highway systems. Given the technical nature of the local roads, use a reliable GPS to assist with the frequent turns throughout the journey. Because this is a demanding one-day trip, staying flexible with your schedule will provide a much more comfortable experience as you approach the Hempstead area.
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 185.8 miles from Albion, NY, or about 4h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 82 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.8 miles or 4h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hempstead, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Albion, 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 Albion, NY
This is one driving day of about 371.7 miles and 7h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Albion, 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 I 81 for about 98.8 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 44
5 decision points cluster between mile 79.4 and 354 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
79.4 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
229.7 mi into trip|~4h 54m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
344.3 mi into trip|~7h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
344.6 mi into trip|~7h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
354 mi into trip|~7h 24m in|I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 6B
Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.18 one way
$122.37 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$66.16
$132.32
premium
$4.92
$72.04
$144.08
diesel
$5.61
$82.07
$164.13
Estimated Tolls: $24.23
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(30 mi)$1.50
Hempstead Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.14
Jericho Turnpike
(0.5 mi)$0.04
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
$61
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$110–$135
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.5
1
$39.03
$17.84
Efficient EV
92.9
1
$32.52
$14.87
EV Truck/SUV
148.7
1
$52.04
$23.79
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 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 18, 2026
Origin
Albion, NY
Late night
in Albion on Tuesday
Local time
4:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Late night
in Hempstead on Tuesday
Local time
4:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Scattered Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy
NE 5 to 8 mph32% chanceLive 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
8 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 52m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
3 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 346.1
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...
3 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 346.1
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 89.7
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 76.9
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 346.1
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 346.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You will navigate a varied landscape where only 52% of your journey consists of high-speed highway driving. The route relies on a combination of I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and the New York State Thruway to bridge the gap between your starting point and your destination. You should prepare for a turn-heavy local experience that demands more engagement than a standard interstate cruise. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-81, which spans 98.8 miles. As you progress, the road environment shifts frequently, requiring you to transition between major highway corridors and more winding local sections.
Only 52% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
77 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 81.
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 79.4 miles in.
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 44 significant decision points across 371.7 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 79.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 229.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 344.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,932 ft55 ft
Total Climb
2,429 ft
Total Descent
2,908 ft
Highest Point
1,932 ft
~247.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,877 ft
Notable High Points
1,932 ft at ~247.8 miles+852 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Albion, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.
Hempstead is the most populous town in America, with a whopping 700,000 residents, located on the South Shore of Nassau County, New York. The town is highly urbanized and fragmented, containing 22 semi-autonomous villages within its boundaries, and forty other neighborhoods.
Garden City, encompassing the "Nassau Hub" region, has its own article. The other prominent communities in Hempstead include Floral Park, Hempstead Village, Valley Stream, Rockville Centre, Freeport, Merrick, and the Five Towns area.
Top landmarks
•Mitchel Air Force Base — US Air Force base in Long Island, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 52m. Total distance: 371.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 52m 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 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $24.23 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 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. 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 79.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 229.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 344.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hempstead, NY before the return drive.
