This 394-mile journey from Collins, NY, to Hempstead, NY, will take approximately 8 hours and 18 minutes of driving time. With a recommended two-day trip, you'll want to plan for at least two stops along the way. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $64. This route offers a turn-heavy local drive experience, so don't expect long stretches of highway. It's a solid option for exploring the Northeast region of New York over a couple of days, allowing for a more relaxed pace than a single-day push.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
197 miles from Collins, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 14m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Collins, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on NY 39
8.3 mi·13 min·Main Street
2
Continue on NY 39
4.2 mi·5 min·State Highway 39
3
Continue on NY 39
2.5 mi·6 min·West Main Street
4
Continue on NY 39
7.7 mi·8 min·Springville Sardinia Highway
5
Continue on NY 39
0.2 mi·10 sec·State Highway 39
6
Continue on NY 39
1.4 mi·1 min·Schutt Road
7
Turn right onto NY 16; NY 39
0.6 mi·56 sec·State Highway 16
8
Continue on NY 16; NY 39
0.2 mi·26 sec·Olean Road
9
Turn left onto NY 39
1.1 mi·2 min·State Route 39
10
Continue on NY 39
2.3 mi·5 min·West Main Street
11
Continue on NY 39
18 mi·25 min·State Highway 39
12
Turn right onto NY 436
1.8 mi·2 min·Denton Corners Road
13
Turn right onto NY 19A; NY 436
2.2 mi·3 min·NY 19A; NY 436
14
Turn left onto NY 436
0.3 mi·46 sec·Hamilton Street
15
Turn left onto NY 436
360 ft·8 sec·Main Street
16
Continue on NY 436
5.6 mi·8 min·Portage Street
17
Continue on NY 436
1.0 mi·1 min·Mill Street
18
Continue on NY 436
12 mi·16 min·Nunda-Dansville Road
19
Continue on NY 436
0.7 mi·1 min·Ossian Street
20
Turn right onto Spruce Street
0.1 mi·32 sec·Spruce Street
21
Turn slight right onto NY 36
0.9 mi·1 min·Clara Barton Street
22
Continue on NY 36
0.1 mi·11 sec·Hornell Road
23
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
24
Merge onto I 390
22 mi·25 min·Genesee Expressway
25
Merge onto I 86
105 mi·2 hr 2 min·Southern Tier Expressway
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
27
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.
28
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.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
30
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
31
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
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.
33
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.
34
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
35
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
37
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
39
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
40
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
42
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
44
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
46
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47
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.
48
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
49
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
52
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi·2 min·Braddock Avenue
53
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi·34 sec·Jamaica Avenue
54
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi·56 sec·Jericho Turnpike
55
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
56
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·New Hyde Park Road
57
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi·3 min·Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
58
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the right lane.
59
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
60
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi·26 sec·Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
61
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 8-hour and 18-minute drive, consider splitting it over two days with your two planned stops. Leaving early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight hours, especially since this route involves many turns and local roads where visibility can change. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as local roads might have fewer services than major highways. A specific tip for this route: be prepared for potential traffic delays when passing through populated areas, as local roads often go directly through town centers.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 197 miles from Collins, NY, or about 4h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 87 miles or 2h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 197 miles or 4h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 197 miles or 4h 14m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 56m
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 Collins, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Collins, NY
Aim for roughly 197 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Hempstead, NY
Aim for roughly 197 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Collins, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Southern Tier Expressway for about 104.5 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 35
5 decision points cluster between mile 198.6 and 376.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
198.6 mi into trip|~4h 16m 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
252 mi into trip|~5h 19m 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
366.5 mi into trip|~7h 35m 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
366.8 mi into trip|~7h 36m 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
376.2 mi into trip|~7h 50m 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
$64.85 one way
$129.71 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg138 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$70.13
$140.26
premium
$4.92
$76.36
$152.73
diesel
$5.61
$86.99
$173.98
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
$65
Tolls
$23
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$218–$328
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
23 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Dollar Tree - Tesla Supercharger
Painted Post, NY
Tesla
12 DCFC
Dandy Mini Mart - Tesla Supercharger
Elmira, NY
Tesla
12 DCFC
Oakdale Commons Shopping Mall - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
118.2
1
$41.37
$18.91
Efficient EV
98.5
1
$34.47
$15.76
EV Truck/SUV
157.6
1
$55.16
$25.22
Gas CO2
138 kg
EV CO2
46 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 19, 2026
Origin
Collins, NY
Late night
in Collins on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Late night
in Hempstead on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Areas Of Fog then Chance Rain Showers
SE 6 to 9 mph35% chanceLive forecast
53°F
Union, NY
197 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
12 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
8h 18m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for the entirety of this 394-mile trip, with 0% highway share. The route primarily follows local roads like Highway 39 and West Main Street, transitioning onto the Springville Sardinia Highway. Given the nature of the roads, you won't encounter any long uninterrupted stretches; instead, anticipate frequent turns and varying speeds as you navigate through various communities. This road personality means you'll be more engaged with the local scenery and less focused on covering ground quickly.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
61 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.5 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 198.6 miles in near I 81.
Driving Effort9/10
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 35 significant decision points across 394 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 198.6 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 252 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 366.5 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 Collins, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, 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
The longest stretch is about 104.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 197 miles on day one.
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 198.6 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 252 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 366.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.3 hours each way, a round trip means 16.6 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.
