Origin
Greenville, NY
Afternoon in Greenville on Sunday
Local time
12:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Greenville, NY to Hempstead, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 9m
Distance
144.8 mi
233 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 58m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 15m
3 PM
3h 19m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Greenville, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
Greenville, NY to Hempstead, NY is 144.8 miles and takes about 3h 9m via New York State Thruway and NJ 17, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, offering a mixed drive that transitions from New York's upstate areas to its more populated downstate. The route is generally straightforward, making it a practical choice for a single-day journey. You'll primarily use major highways, so expect consistent travel speeds for most of the drive.
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
72.4 miles from Greenville, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 70.5 mi | 1h 21m |
| State Highway 32 | 17.9 mi | 26m |
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| King's Highway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Clearview Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| Tulip Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 70.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greenville, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on NY 81
17 ft
·
6 sec
·
NY 81
2
Turn left onto NY 32
8.7 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 32
3
Turn left onto NY 23; NY 32
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 23
4
Turn right onto NY 32
9.2 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 32
5
Continue on NY 32
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
King's Highway
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
7
Merge onto I 87
71 mi
·
1 hr 21 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
Given the 3h 9m estimated duration, departing from Greenville, NY in the morning is advisable to allow ample time for unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $24, this is an easy day trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 70.5 miles on the New York State Thruway, so plan a brief stop before or after this segment if you prefer shorter driving periods. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you get closer to the NYC metropolitan area, especially on NJ 17.
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 72.4 miles from Greenville, NY, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.5 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 32 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.4 miles or 1h 31m 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 29m
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 Greenville, 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 Greenville, NY
This is one driving day of about 144.8 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Greenville, 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 New York State Thruway for about 70.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72.4 miles from Greenville, 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 70.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 96.6 and 127 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
96.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 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
98 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m 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
112.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m 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
119.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m 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
127 mi into trip
|
~2h 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
$23.83 one way
$47.67 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $25.77 | $51.55 |
| premium | $4.92 | $28.06 | $56.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.97 | $63.94 |
Estimated Tolls: $26.26
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(70.5 mi)
$3.53
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
$24
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.20 | $6.95 |
| Efficient EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.67 | $5.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.9 | 0 | $20.27 | $9.27 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Afternoon in Hempstead on Sunday
Local time
12:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Partly Sunny
S 12 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
49°F
Ramapo, NY
72 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
29 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 9m 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.
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 119.8
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 119.8
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
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 119.8
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 119.8
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 119.8
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...
11 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 119.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a mixed drive, with about 40% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of the New York State Thruway, including a continuous 70.5-mile segment, which allows for steady progress. As you move south, the landscape may change, incorporating sections of State Highway 32 and NJ 17, potentially offering a different driving feel compared to the Thruway. Expect a blend of faster highway driving and possibly some more varied road conditions as you approach your destination.
40% 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: 70.5 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 96.6 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 144.8 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 96.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.2 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Greenville, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Gsp South: Paterson
112.1 mi in
|
~2h 20m
Fort Lee
112.1 mi in
|
~2h 20m
New York
112.1 mi in
|
~2h 20m
About the Cities
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 3h 9m. Total distance: 144.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.5 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $26.26 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 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 96.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall 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 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Hempstead, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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