Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Fowler, NY to Hempstead, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 9m
Distance
346.2 mi
557 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 58m
★
6 AM
7h 9m
8 AM
7h 31m
10 AM
7h 17m
12 PM
7h 15m
3 PM
7h 18m
5 PM
7h 30m
8 PM
7h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fowler, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
Fowler to Hempstead is 346.2 miles and takes about 7h 9m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, connecting the Northeast region to itself. Expect a drive that balances highway travel with more local roads as you make your way south. With only one recommended day, you can comfortably cover the distance without feeling overly rushed. Plan for a couple of stops to break up the 7-hour drive.
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
173.1 miles from Fowler, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 201.9 mi | 3h 53m |
| State Highway 12 | 22.8 mi | 31m |
| Bea Luck Road | 19.6 mi | 23m |
| State Highway 812 | 16.7 mi | 20m |
| Indian River Road | 16.1 mi | 19m |
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| Erwin Parkway | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fowler, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on Little York Road
78 ft
·
10 sec
·
Little York Road
2
Turn left onto Balmat-Fowler Road
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Balmat-Fowler Road
3
Continue on NY 812
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 812
4
At end of road, turn right onto NY 3; NY 812
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
State Highway 812
5
Continue on NY 3; NY 812
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
State Street
6
Continue on NY 3; NY 812
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
7
Continue on NY 3; NY 812
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
State Route 3
8
Turn left onto NY 812
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Indian River Road
9
Continue on NY 812
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Indian River Road
10
Continue on NY 812
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
11
Continue on NY 812
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 812
12
Turn left onto East State Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East State Street
13
Continue on Ross Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Ross Road
14
Turn left onto NY 12
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Bea Luck Road
15
Continue on NY 12
0.8 mi
·
51 sec
·
State Highway 12
16
Continue on NY 12
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Erwin Parkway
17
Continue on NY 12
22 mi
·
30 min
·
State Highway 12
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
19
Merge onto NY 49
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
State Route 49
20
Continue on I 790; NY 5
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
I 790; NY 5
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 90 East
24
Merge onto I 90
84 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
New York State Thruway
25
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway
118 mi
·
2 hr 16 min
·
New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
Use the slight right lane.
26
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.
27
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
28
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.
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
31
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
NJ 4
Use the right lane.
32
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
34
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
36
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
38
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
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.
40
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
41
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
44
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Braddock Avenue
45
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Jamaica Avenue
46
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Jericho Turnpike
47
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
48
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
New Hyde Park Road
49
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
50
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
Use the right lane.
51
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
52
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
53
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
Trip Plan
For a 7-hour drive, leaving in the morning around 9 AM should give you ample time to reach Hempstead before dark, even with two planned stops. Consider making your first stop around the halfway point, perhaps after completing the 201.9-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway. This break will help you refresh before tackling the remaining local roads. Budget around $57 for fuel, but always check current prices. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility in your timing, but aim to avoid peak rush hour traffic as you approach Hempstead.
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 173.1 miles from Fowler, NY, or about 3h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.9 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 76 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.1 miles or 3h 35m 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 45m
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 Fowler, 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 Fowler, NY
This is one driving day of about 346.2 miles and 7h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Fowler, 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 New York State Thruway for about 201.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
173 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 173.1 miles from Fowler, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 201.9 miles.
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.
Indian Castle Travel Plaza
0 mi from route
Guilderland Travel Plaza
0 mi from route
I-90 Eastbound Parking/Rest Area
0 mi from route
I-90 Westbound Parking/Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area I-87 (South Bound)
0 mi from route
Ulster Travel Plaza
0 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0 mi from route
Malden Service Area
0.1 mi from route
Modena Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Sloatsburg Service Area
0.1 mi from route
Iroquois Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pattersonville Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Schuyler Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Plattkill Service Area
0.1 mi from route
Modena Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Mohawk Valley Welcome Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Mohawk Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
Plaza 23 Truck Stop
1.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 305 decision points cluster between mile 179.9 and 328.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
179.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m in
|
New York State Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
9
298 mi into trip
|
~5h 59m 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
299.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 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
313.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 19m 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
8
328.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 41m 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
$56.99 one way
$113.97 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
121 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $61.62 | $123.24 |
| premium | $4.92 | $67.10 | $134.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $76.44 | $152.87 |
Estimated Tolls: $32.82
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(201.9 mi)
$10.09
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
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$115–$140
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 103.9 | 1 | $36.35 | $16.62 |
| Efficient EV | 86.6 | 0 | $30.29 | $13.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138.5 | 1 | $48.47 | $22.16 |
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Fowler, NY
Morning in Fowler on Tuesday
Local time
9:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Morning in Hempstead on Tuesday
Local time
9:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
E 6 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
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
19 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
7h 9m 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 322.3
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 322.3
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 322.3
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 322.3
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 322.3
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 322.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 27% of your 346.2-mile trip on highways, with the longest continuous stretch being 201.9 miles on the New York State Thruway. After this major highway segment, you'll transition to State Highway 12 and Bea Luck Road, which will involve more frequent turns and potentially slower speeds. Keep an eye out for the change in scenery and traffic patterns as you move from the open highway to these more local routes.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
53 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 201.9 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 179.9 miles in near New York State Thruway.
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 30 significant decision points across 346.2 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 179.9 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 298 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 299.4 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Fowler, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South, Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Genesee Street South
94.9 mi in
|
~2h 3m
Boston
179.9 mi in
|
~3h 42m
|
via New York State Thruway
Gsp South: Paterson
313.5 mi in
|
~6h 19m
Fort Lee
313.5 mi in
|
~6h 19m
New York
313.5 mi in
|
~6h 19m
About the Cities
Starting in Fowler, NY
Full guide →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 9m. Total distance: 346.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 201.9 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $32.82 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.
Yes — we found about 26 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 179.9 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 298 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 299.4 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 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.
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