Origin
Belfast, NY
Late night in Belfast on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Belfast, NY to 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
7h 1m
Distance
344.6 mi
555 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 50m
★
6 AM
7h 1m
8 AM
7h 24m
10 AM
7h 9m
12 PM
7h 7m
3 PM
7h 10m
5 PM
7h 22m
8 PM
6h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Belfast, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Belfast, NY to Hempstead, NY is 344.6 miles and takes about 7h 1m via Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and I 81, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive will take you across New York State, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Given its relatively short duration and high highway share, this route is best suited for a single-day trip when you want to cover ground efficiently. Consider this a straightforward journey for getting from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
172.3 miles from Belfast, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 26m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Tier Expressway | 140.6 mi | 2h 44m |
| Keystone Shortway | 80 mi | 1h 37m |
| I 81 | 53.4 mi | 1h 3m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 5.5 mi | 5m |
| Clearview Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| I 84 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Southern Tier Expressway
— 140.6 mi, about 2h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belfast, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on Chapel Street
179 ft
·
9 sec
·
Chapel Street
2
Turn right onto Sherman Street
277 ft
·
19 sec
·
Sherman Street
3
Turn left onto NY 19
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
4
Continue on NY 19
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Transit Hill Road
5
Turn left onto CR 16
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
County Highway 16
6
Continue on West Main Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
7
Enter roundabout onto East Main Street
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Main Street
8
Continue on East Main Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Main Street
9
Turn right onto Peacock Hill Road
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Peacock Hill Road
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
11
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
141 mi
·
2 hr 44 min
·
Southern Tier Expressway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 6
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 380
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
16
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
17
Merge onto I 80
80 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 70A
Toward Leonia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft
·
9 sec
·
Degraw Avenue
23
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on CR 56
469 ft
·
13 sec
·
Main Street
25
Take the ramp
472 ft
·
12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
26
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
312 ft
·
4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
28
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
30
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
32
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6B
Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
34
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
35
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
38
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Braddock Avenue
39
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Jamaica Avenue
40
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Jericho Turnpike
41
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
42
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
New Hyde Park Road
43
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
44
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
Use the right lane.
45
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
46
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 7 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart early in the morning to allow for a comfortable pace and a couple of brief stops. You'll have two recommended stops along the way, which are perfect for stretching your legs and refueling. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 140.6-mile stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway, as services might be less frequent than you'd expect on other interstates. Planning your fuel stops around these longer highway segments is a smart move.
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 172.3 miles from Belfast, NY, or about 3h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.6 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 172.3 miles or 3h 26m 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 39m
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 Belfast, 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 Belfast, NY
This is one driving day of about 344.6 miles and 7h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Belfast, 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 140.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
172 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 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 172.3 miles from Belfast, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 140.6 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 335 decision points cluster between mile 149.2 and 326.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
149.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
|
I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
202.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 2m 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
317.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 18m 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
317.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 18m 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
326.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 32m 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
$56.72 one way
$113.45 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
121 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $61.34 | $122.67 |
| premium | $4.92 | $66.79 | $133.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $76.08 | $152.17 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.73
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
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
$57
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$104–$129
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 103.4 | 1 | $36.18 | $16.54 |
| Efficient EV | 86.2 | 0 | $30.15 | $13.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 137.8 | 1 | $48.24 | $22.05 |
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.
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Late night in Hempstead on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Ramapo, NY
172 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
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 1m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 320.8
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 320.8
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...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 320.8
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument
National Monument
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 320.8
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial
National Memorial
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 320.8
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument
National Monument
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 320.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 70% of the route utilizing major expressways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and I 81. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 140.6 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway, meaning you can maintain a consistent pace for a good while. Expect a generally fast-paced experience, characteristic of long-distance interstate travel, with limited opportunities for slower, scenic cruising.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140.6 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 149.2 miles in near I 81.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 33 significant decision points across 344.6 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 149.2 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 317.1 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Belfast, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.
Mt Pocono
202.6 mi in
|
~4h 2m
|
via US 6
Milford
203.4 mi in
|
~4h 3m
|
via I 84; I 380
New York City
317.1 mi in
|
~6h 18m
Leonia
317.4 mi in
|
~6h 18m
Teaneck
317.4 mi in
|
~6h 18m
George Washington Bridge Upper Level
319.7 mi in
|
~6h 22m
About the Cities
Starting in Belfast, NY
Full guide →Founded 1824
Arriving in Hempstead, NY
Full guide →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
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 7h 1m. Total distance: 344.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 1m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.6 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $22.73 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 149.2 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 317.1 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 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.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Hempstead, NY
More trips to Hempstead, NY
Explore more options from Belfast, NY or browse trips ending in Hempstead, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.