Planning a trip from Chatham to Hempstead? This 142.1-mile drive will take you approximately 3 hours and 13 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day excursion. The route is heavily focused on highways, with 92% of the journey on major roads like the Taconic State Parkway, I-684, and I-84. You can expect to spend around $23 on fuel for this trip. Given its relatively short duration and highway-centric profile, this drive is ideal for a single day, allowing for a straightforward journey between these two points within New York.
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
71 miles from Chatham, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Taconic State Parkway
62.3 mi
1h 24m
I 684
26.8 mi
31m
I 84
15.5 mi
18m
Hutchinson River Parkway
13.6 mi
19m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Throgs Neck Expressway
2.2 mi
3m
Tulip Avenue
2 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Taconic State Parkway
— 62.3 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chatham, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on Austerlitz Street
34 ft·1 sec·Austerlitz Street
2
Enter roundabout onto NY 66
111 ft·1 sec·Main Street
3
Continue on NY 66
0.1 mi·19 sec·Main Street
4
Continue on NY 66
0.5 mi·1 min·Hudson Avenue
5
Turn left onto NY 203
0.3 mi·30 sec·Coleman Street
6
Continue on NY 203
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 203
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·1 min
8
Merge onto Taconic State Parkway
62 mi·1 hr 24 min·Taconic State Parkway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Toward I 84 East: Danbury
10
Merge onto I 84
15 mi·18 min·I 84
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 68AToward I 684 South: White PlainsUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 684
27 mi·31 min·I 684
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.5 mi·2 min
Exit 1Toward Hutchinson River Parkway, New York CityUse the straight lane.
14
Merge onto Hutchinson River Parkway
7.7 mi·10 min·Hutchinson River Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto Hutchinson River Parkway
5.9 mi·8 min·Hutchinson River Parkway
Toward Whitestone BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
141 ft·4 sec
Exit 2AToward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, Stillwell AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·47 sec
Toward I 95 South: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 95
0.4 mi·31 sec·New England Thruway
19
Continue on I 95
1.3 mi·2 min·Bruckner Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695
2.2 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Exit 7AToward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long IslandUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi·2 min·Braddock Avenue
25
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi·34 sec·Jamaica Avenue
26
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi·56 sec·Jericho Turnpike
27
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
28
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·New Hyde Park Road
29
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi·3 min·Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
30
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the right lane.
31
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
32
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi·26 sec·Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour, 13-minute drive, starting earlier in the day is recommended to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Hempstead. With only one recommended stop and a significant portion on highways, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. The $23 fuel cost is modest, so ensure your tank is full before departing Chatham. A key tip for this route is to be mindful of the transition between the Taconic State Parkway and I-684/I-84, as these road changes can sometimes be less intuitive than standard interstate merges.
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 71 miles from Chatham, NY, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.3 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 31 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71 miles or 1h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 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 Chatham, 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 Chatham, NY
This is one driving day of about 142.1 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Chatham, 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 Taconic State Parkway for about 62.3 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 80.3 and 124.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
80.3 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 684 South: White Plains
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 68A
Toward I 684 South: White Plains
9
107.7 mi into trip|~2h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Hutchinson River Parkway, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 1
Toward Hutchinson River Parkway, New York City
8
122.8 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, Stillwell Avenue
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 2A
Toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, St...
8
122.8 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge
9
124.7 mi into trip|~2h 46m in|I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway toward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 7A
Toward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Is...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.39 one way
$46.78 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$25.29
$50.59
premium
$4.92
$27.54
$55.08
diesel
$5.61
$31.37
$62.75
Estimated Tolls: $6.73
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
$23
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.6
0
$14.92
$6.82
Efficient EV
35.5
0
$12.43
$5.68
EV Truck/SUV
56.8
0
$19.89
$9.09
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
Chatham, NY
Afternoon
in Chatham on Tuesday
Local time
12:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Afternoon
in Hempstead on Tuesday
Local time
12:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 5 to 8 mph6% 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
9 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 13m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 122.5
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 122.5
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 132.3
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 132.3
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 132.3
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 132.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is largely a highway-focused experience, designed for efficient travel. You'll spend the majority of your time on major parkways and interstates, covering 92% of the distance on these high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 62.3 miles along the Taconic State Parkway, offering a sustained period of highway driving. Expect a consistent pace as you navigate these well-maintained routes, with minimal interruptions to your journey.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.3 mi on Taconic State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Taconic State Parkway and I 684. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 80.3 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 22 significant decision points across 142.1 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 80.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Chatham, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward New York City and Long Island.
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 3h 13m. Total distance: 142.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.3 miles on Taconic State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.73 in tolls one way, starting with Throgs Neck 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 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 80.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and African Burial Ground National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Hempstead, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
