Origin
Fort Edward, NY
Late night in Fort Edward on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 26m
Distance
213.6 mi
344 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Edward, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Edward, NY to Hempstead, NY is 213.6 miles and takes about 4h 26m via I 87 and NJ 17, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York State, making it a straightforward journey. Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of the trip, with a significant portion on I 87. It's a practical option if you need to get from the Capital Region to Long Island efficiently. Consider this route for its directness and manageable duration.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
106.8 miles from Fort Edward, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 87 | 118.6 mi | 2h 17m |
| Adirondack Northway | 40.2 mi | 48m |
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Clearview Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| Reynolds Road | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| Tulip Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Edward, NY and Hempstead, NY.
Start on US 4; NY 197
Turn left onto NY 197
Continue on NY 197
At end of road, turn left onto US 9
Continue on US 9
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
Continue on I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto NJ 4
Continue on NJ 4
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
Continue on I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95; US 1
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
Merge onto I 295
Continue on I 295
Continue on I 295
Turn left onto NY 25
Turn right onto NY 25
Turn left onto NY 25
Continue on NY 25
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
Turn left onto NY 24
Turn slight right onto NY 102
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
Arrive at destination
Given the 4h 26m duration, this trip is easily achievable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic closer to Hempstead. With only one planned stop suggested, you can be flexible with when and where you take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest 118.6-mile stretch on I 87, as services can be more spaced out on interstates. This route is well-suited for a quick, no-fuss transit.
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.
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 47 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.8 miles or 2h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hempstead, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Fort Edward, 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 Fort Edward, NY
This is one driving day of about 213.6 miles and 4h 26m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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.
A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 106.8 miles from Fort Edward, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 46.9 and 195.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Regular Gas
$35.16 one way
$70.32 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $38.02 | $76.04 |
| premium | $4.92 | $41.40 | $82.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.16 | $94.32 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.73
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
$35
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.1 | 0 | $22.43 | $10.25 |
| Efficient EV | 53.4 | 0 | $18.69 | $8.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.4 | 1 | $29.90 | $13.67 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Fort Edward on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Hempstead on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Scattered Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy
49°F
Ramapo, NY
107 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 74% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll spend a considerable amount of time on I 87, also known as the Adirondack Northway, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 118.6 miles. While the highway dominates, you'll transition to NJ 17, offering a different highway experience as you approach your destination. The character is largely about covering distance efficiently, with fewer opportunities for spontaneous scenic detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 87 and Adirondack Northway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 46.9 miles in near I 87.
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 25 significant decision points across 213.6 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 46.9 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.7 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 165.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fort Edward, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Gsp South: Paterson and Fort Lee.
Albany
New York
Buffalo
Gsp South: Paterson
Fort Lee
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 26m. Total distance: 213.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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