Hempstead, NY to Crown Heights, NY is 83.6 miles and takes about 2h 18m via Albany Post Road and NY 9A, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, connecting two points in the Northeast region. The route offers a mixed highway and surface road experience, suitable for a single-day excursion. It's a straightforward drive that gets you from point A to point B efficiently, with minimal planning required for a same-day return.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.8 miles from Hempstead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Albany Post Road
23.1 mi
30m
NY 9A
14.7 mi
22m
Sprain Brook Parkway
12.6 mi
17m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Throgs Neck Expressway
2.5 mi
3m
South Columbus Avenue
2.3 mi
3m
Tulip Avenue
2 mi
3m
New England Thruway
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Albany Post Road
— 23.1 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Crown Heights, NY.
1
Start on Peninsula Boulevard
77 ft·1 sec·Peninsula Boulevard
2
Turn left onto Clinton Street
359 ft·17 sec·Clinton Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto NY 102
1.1 mi·1 min·Front Street
4
Turn slight left onto NY 24
2.0 mi·3 min·Hempstead Turnpike
5
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi·53 sec·New Hyde Park Road
6
Turn left onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Tulip Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Jamaica Avenue
8
Turn slight right onto NY 25
1.2 mi·2 min·Braddock Avenue
9
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Hillside Avenue
10
Turn right onto I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck BridgeUse the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
12
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 695
1.8 mi·2 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Exit 10Toward I 695 North: New HavenUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 95
1.0 mi·1 min·Bruckner Expressway
15
Continue on I 95
2.0 mi·3 min·New England Thruway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Take the exit
351 ft·16 sec
Exit 13Toward Conner StreetUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto Tillotson Avenue
0.1 mi·22 sec·Tillotson Avenue
18
Turn left onto Conner Street
0.3 mi·30 sec·Conner Street
19
Continue on NY 22
0.3 mi·59 sec·Provost Avenue
20
Continue on NY 22
0.2 mi·17 sec·South 3rd Avenue
21
Turn slight right onto NY 22
2.3 mi·3 min·South Columbus Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Cross County Parkway WestUse the left lane.
23
Merge onto Cross County Parkway
0.6 mi·54 sec·Cross County Parkway
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 6Toward Bronx Parkway, Sprain ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward Bronx Parkway North, Sprain ParkwayUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto Bronx River Parkway
0.3 mi·32 sec·Bronx River Parkway
27
Keep slight left at fork onto Sprain Brook Parkway
13 mi·17 min·Sprain Brook Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on Taconic State Parkway
1.8 mi·2 min·Taconic State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 5Toward NY 9A, NY 100 NorthUse the slight right lane.
30
Continue on NY 9A; NY 100
15 mi·22 min·NY 9A; NY 100
31
Turn left onto US 6; US 9; US 202
0.2 mi·12 sec·US 6; US 9; US 202
32
Enter roundabout onto US 9
21 ft·0 sec·Albany Post Road
Toward Fishkill
33
Continue on US 9
23 mi·30 min·Albany Post Road
Toward FishkillUse the straight lane.
34
Continue on US 9
1.4 mi·2 min·South Road
35
Turn left onto Old Post Road
0.3 mi·45 sec·Old Post Road
Use the left lane.
36
Turn left onto Sheafe Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Sheafe Road
37
Turn right
0.9 mi·6 min
38
Turn sharp right
0.3 mi·1 min
39
Turn right
1.5 mi·9 min
40
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this shorter, same-day trip of just over 2 hours, departing mid-morning could help you avoid the worst of rush hour traffic. Since there are no designated stops, you have the flexibility to pull over as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $14. The longest stretch without a highway is 23.1 miles on Albany Post Road, so be prepared for varying speed limits and potential local traffic during that segment.
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 41.8 miles from Hempstead, NY, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.1 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 18 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.8 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Crown Heights, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hempstead, 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 Hempstead, NY
This is one driving day of about 83.6 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Hempstead, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Albany Post Road for about 23.1 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.1 and 40 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
8.1 mi into trip|~15m in|I 295 / Clearview Expressway
Turn right onto I 295 / Clearview Expressway toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck Bridge
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Throu...
8
15.8 mi into trip|~25m in|I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway toward I 695 North: New Haven
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10
Toward I 695 North: New Haven
8
24.8 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward Bronx Parkway, Sprain Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward Bronx Parkway, Sprain Parkway
8
24.9 mi into trip|~40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Bronx Parkway North, Sprain Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Bronx Parkway North, Sprain Parkway
8
40 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward NY 9A, NY 100 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward NY 9A, NY 100 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.76 one way
$27.52 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$14.88
$29.76
premium
$4.92
$16.20
$32.41
diesel
$5.61
$18.46
$36.92
Estimated Tolls: $6.83
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
Hempstead Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.14
New England Thruway
(2 mi)$0.14
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
$14
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.1
0
$8.78
$4.01
Efficient EV
20.9
0
$7.31
$3.34
EV Truck/SUV
33.4
0
$11.70
$5.35
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Hempstead, NY
Late night
in Hempstead on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Crown Heights, NY
Late night
in Crown Heights on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
11 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
2h 18m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 17.3
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 17.3
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 11.5
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 17.3
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 11.5
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 11.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll encounter a blend of highway and surface roads on this 83.6-mile trip, with 31% of the drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on surface roads is 23.1 miles along Albany Post Road. Expect to transition between faster parkway driving and more stop-and-go conditions as you navigate through varied terrain.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 23.1 mi on Albany Post Road.
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 8.1 miles in near I 295 / Clearview Expressway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 27 significant decision points across 83.6 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 8.1 miles (I 295 / Clearview Expressway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.8 miles (I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Hempstead, NY and Crown Heights, NY, road signs point toward Cross County Parkway West, Bronx Parkway North and Fishkill.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 83.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (31%). 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 23.1 miles on Albany Post Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.83 in tolls one way, starting with Throgs Neck 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 Crown Heights, 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 8.1 miles (I 295 / Clearview Expressway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.8 miles (I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Crown Heights, NY before heading back.
