If you are planning to travel from Amity to Hempstead, you are looking at a 77.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 53 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited as a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stops along the way. Expect to budget roughly $12 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Northeast locations. Navigating this route involves primarily using the Christopher Columbus Highway, the Paterson - Hamburg Turnpike, and Vernon Warwick Road. Because the drive is relatively short, it offers a straightforward transition between these New York points without the need for complex multi-day scheduling.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.9 miles from Amity, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Christopher Columbus Highway
14 mi
15m
Paterson - Hamburg Turnpike
9.8 mi
11m
Vernon Warwick Road
7.6 mi
13m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
NJ 23
6.2 mi
7m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Newfoundland Road
5 mi
6m
Prices Switch Road
3.8 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Christopher Columbus Highway
— 14 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amity, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on this road
31 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Walling Road
0.2 mi·44 sec·Walling Road
3
Turn right onto Prices Switch Road
1.3 mi·3 min·Prices Switch Road
4
Continue on Prices Switch Road
1.6 mi·3 min·Prices Switch Road
5
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 515
0.8 mi·1 min·Prices Switch Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto NJ 94; CR 515
7.6 mi·13 min·Vernon Warwick Road
7
Continue on CR 515
3.2 mi·5 min·Stockholm Vernon Road
8
Turn left onto NJ 23
5.0 mi·6 min·Newfoundland Road
9
Continue on NJ 23
9.8 mi·11 min·Paterson - Hamburg Turnpike
10
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 23
6.2 mi·7 min·NJ 23
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
297 ft·7 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 46 East: New York, Clifton
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 80 East: New YorkUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 80
8.5 mi·9 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
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.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
19
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
21
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
22
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
24
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
26
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
28
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
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.
30
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
31
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
34
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi·2 min·Braddock Avenue
35
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi·34 sec·Jamaica Avenue
36
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi·56 sec·Jericho Turnpike
37
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
38
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·New Hyde Park Road
39
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi·3 min·Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
40
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the right lane.
41
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
42
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi·26 sec·Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under two hours, you have significant flexibility when choosing your departure window. To avoid potential traffic congestion, consider checking local road reports before you head out on the Paterson - Hamburg Turnpike. Because there are no scheduled stops required for this 77.7-mile trek, you can easily complete the journey in one go without feeling rushed. Make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, keeping that $12 estimate in mind for your travel budget. A smart tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between the Christopher Columbus Highway and the smaller turnpikes, as these junctions are where you will likely spend the most focus during your drive.
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 38.9 miles from Amity, NY, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14 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 17 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.9 miles or 57m 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 33m
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 Amity, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Amity, NY
This is one driving day of about 77.7 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Amity, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Christopher Columbus Highway for about 14 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 35.8 and 60 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
35.8 mi into trip|~54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 80 East: New York
7
44.9 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Lev...
8
50.3 mi into trip|~1h 10m 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
50.6 mi into trip|~1h 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
60 mi into trip|~1h 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
$12.79 one way
$25.58 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$13.83
$27.66
premium
$4.92
$15.06
$30.12
diesel
$5.61
$17.16
$34.31
Estimated Tolls: $23.42
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
Paterson - Hamburg Turnpike
(9.8 mi)$0.69
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
$13
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.3
0
$8.16
$3.73
Efficient EV
19.4
0
$6.80
$3.11
EV Truck/SUV
31.1
0
$10.88
$4.97
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 18, 2026
Origin
Amity, NY
Late night
in Amity on Tuesday
Local time
5:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Late night
in Hempstead on Tuesday
Local time
5:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Inwood, NY
39 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
10 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
1h 53m 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...
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...
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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 53.6
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 53.6
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 53.6
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 53.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed driving profile, balancing highway travel with local road navigation. You will spend 42% of your time on highways, though the terrain shifts frequently as you transition between the specified main roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 14-mile segment on the Christopher Columbus Highway. While you should be prepared for varying road conditions, the route avoids the monotony of a purely interstate-focused trip. You can expect a varied experience behind the wheel that keeps you engaged as you move from the quieter start in Amity toward your destination in Hempstead.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14 mi on Christopher Columbus Highway.
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 35.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.7 miles you will encounter 27 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 35.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.9 miles (I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Amity, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Clifton, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.
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 1h 53m. Total distance: 77.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (42%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14 miles on Christopher Columbus Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.42 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.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 35.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.9 miles (I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 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 Hempstead, NY before heading back.
