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Trip from Esopus, NY to Hempstead, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 19m

Distance

105.3 mi

170 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 10m ★
6 AM
2h 20m
8 AM
2h 39m
10 AM
2h 26m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 27m
5 PM
2h 38m
8 PM
2h 14m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in New York

Esopus, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 105.3-mile drive from Esopus, NY to Hempstead, NY is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 19 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via the New York State Thruway, NJ 17, and NJ 4, with about 42% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $17, making it an economical choice. Both your starting and ending points are within the Northeast region, so you won't be crossing major geographical divides. This route offers a straightforward path with no planned stops, perfect for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

52.7 miles from Esopus, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 44.9 mi 51m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Cross Bronx Expressway 6.6 mi 8m
Broadway 5.8 mi 7m
NY 299 5.2 mi 7m
Clearview Expressway 5 mi 5m
Tulip Avenue 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 44.9 mi, about 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Esopus, NY and Hempstead, NY.

1

Start on Main Street

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Main Street
2

Turn slight left onto US 9W

5.8 mi · 7 min · Broadway
3

Turn right onto NY 299

5.2 mi · 7 min · NY 299
Use the right lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Use the left lane.
5

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 22 sec · this road
Toward I 87
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 87 South: New York City
7

Merge onto I 87

45 mi · 51 min · New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17

0.9 mi · 59 sec · NY 17
Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey Use the slight right lane.
9

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
10

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17

14 mi · 18 min · NJ 17
Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah Use the slight left / straight lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
13

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4
Use the right lane.
14

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
18

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
20

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

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.
22

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
23

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Turn left onto NY 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
26

Turn right onto NY 25

1.1 mi · 2 min · Braddock Avenue
27

Turn left onto NY 25

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Jamaica Avenue
28

Continue on NY 25

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Jericho Turnpike
29

Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue

2.0 mi · 3 min · Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
30

Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road

0.4 mi · 56 sec · New Hyde Park Road
31

Turn left onto NY 24

2.0 mi · 3 min · Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
32

Turn slight right onto NY 102

0.8 mi · 1 min · Front Street
Use the right lane.
33

Turn right onto Greenwich Street

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
34

Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35

Arrive at destination

Peninsula Boulevard

Trip Plan

For this relatively short 2-hour and 19-minute drive, flexibility is key. You could depart in the morning to avoid peak traffic, aiming to arrive in Hempstead by midday. While there are no mandatory stops built into this route, consider taking a brief break during the longest stretch on the New York State Thruway if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 44.9-mile segment, as services can be spaced out on some highway sections. The estimated fuel cost of $17 suggests it's a good idea to start with a full tank.

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 52.7 miles from Esopus, NY, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.9 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 23 miles or 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 52.7 miles or 1h 4m 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 49m

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 Esopus, 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 Esopus, NY

This is one driving day of about 105.3 miles and 2h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Esopus, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 44.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

53 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

New Windsor, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ramapo, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.7 miles from Esopus, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Paramus, New Jersey

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third · 40min to go 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12014871088

Visit website

Shogun Japan Japanese restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hollis, New York

0.9 mi

Crabtree's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Floral Park, New York

2.3 mi

Best coffee break · final third

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third · 30min to go 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

+19172614093

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hackensack, New Jersey

1.6 mi

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Englewood, New Jersey

3 mi

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12014871088

Visit website

Shogun Japan Japanese restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Hollis, New York

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13322041966

Visit website

Crabtree's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Floral Park, New York

Hours: 12–10 pm

+15163267769

Visit website

Luigi's Restaurant And Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Queens, New York

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+17183477136

Visit website

Honey Day Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Glen Rock, New Jersey

Hours: 8:30 am–3 pm

+12013893535

Visit website

Lima 33 Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Little Neck, New York

Hours: 1–9 pm

+17182254949

Visit website

Park Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15167490697

Hainan

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30

Flushing, New York

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19175637223

Visit website

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

+19172614093

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12015675111

Visit website

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3 mi from route ~7 min detour

South Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12014265898

Visit website

Cafe Amrita

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+12122220683

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Newburgh, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Newburgh, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Newburgh, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Mahwah, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Central Valley, New York

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

New Windsor, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Central Valley, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887800062

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Newburgh, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

J. Hood Wright Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, NY

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

Bennett Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, NY

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

Shooting Zone

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 12–9 pm

+12014401329

Visit website

Ready to Golf

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

River Edge, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+16093887728

Visit website

Roberto Clemente State Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Bronx, New York

Hours: 8:30 am–8:30 pm

+17182998750

Visit website

Fort Tryon Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12127951388

Visit website

iFLY Indoor Skydiving- Paramus

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–8:30 pm

+12017334359

Visit website

Yankee Stadium

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Bronx, New York

+12129265337

Visit website

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 57.2 and 87.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
57.2 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in | NY 17

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
58.6 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in | NJ 17

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
6
72.7 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
6
79.9 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in

Take the exit toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
8
87.6 mi into trip | ~1h 51m 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

$17.33 one way

$34.67 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $18.74 $37.49
premium $4.92 $20.41 $40.82
diesel $5.61 $23.25 $46.50

Estimated Tolls: $24.98

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55
New York State Thruway (44.9 mi) $2.25
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

$17

Tolls

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 36.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.6 0 $11.06 $5.05
Efficient EV 26.3 0 $9.21 $4.21
EV Truck/SUV 42.1 0 $14.74 $6.74

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (68% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Esopus, NY

Late night in Esopus on Tuesday

Local time

4:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hempstead, NY

Late night in Hempstead on Tuesday

Local time

4:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

83°F

Partly Sunny

S 12 mph 2% chance Live forecast

63°F

Ramapo, NY

53 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

41 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

2h 19m 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

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 83.5
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

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 ~8 min detour Free near mile 83.5
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

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 ~22 min detour Free near mile 83.5
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

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 83.5
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

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 ~28 min detour Free near mile 83.5
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 83.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed drive on this route, blending highway speeds with some more varied road conditions. With 42% of the trip on highways, you'll experience stretches of consistent speed, including a significant 44.9-mile segment on the New York State Thruway. As you transition between the Thruway, NJ 17, and NJ 4, the road character will evolve, offering a dynamic driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate journey. This blend means you'll need to be adaptable to changing speed limits and traffic patterns.

42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.9 mi on New York State Thruway.

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 57.2 miles in near NY 17.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 105.3 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 57.2 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.6 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Esopus, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.

Gsp South: Paterson

72.6 mi in | ~1h 30m

Fort Lee

72.6 mi in | ~1h 30m

New York

72.6 mi in | ~1h 30m

About the Cities

Starting in Esopus, NY

Full guide →

Top landmarks

  • • Slabsides — historic house in New York, United States
  • • Kingston–Port Ewen Suspension Bridge — bridge in Ulster County, New York, United States

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 2h 19m. Total distance: 105.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 19m 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 44.9 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $24.98 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.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 57.2 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.6 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

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.

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