Trip from Hempstead, NY to Dansville, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 33m

Distance

324.1 mi

522 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

6h 21m ★

6 AM

6h 33m

8 AM

6h 57m

10 AM

6h 42m

12 PM

6h 39m

3 PM

6h 43m

5 PM

6h 56m

8 PM

6h 26m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Dansville, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

Embarking from Hempstead, NY, to Dansville, NY, this 324.1-mile journey is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 6 hours and 33 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing I-86, the Christopher Columbus Highway, and I-81, this route focuses heavily on highway travel, making it an efficient way to cover ground. With a fuel cost estimated at $53, it's an economical option for a single-day excursion. You'll be navigating within the Northeast region throughout this trip, experiencing a straightforward drive from one New York destination to another. This is a practical choice if you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss.

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

162 miles from Hempstead, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 22m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 86	100 mi	1h 56m
Christopher Columbus Highway	68.2 mi	1h 20m
I 81	58.1 mi	1h 9m
I 380	27.7 mi	30m
Genesee Expressway	22.8 mi	26m
Keystone Shortway	17.3 mi	24m
Cross Bronx Expressway	6.6 mi	8m
Clearview Expressway	5 mi	5m

Longest stretch: I 86 — 100 mi, about 1h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Peninsula Boulevard

77 ft · 1 sec · Peninsula Boulevard

Turn left onto Clinton Street

359 ft · 17 sec · Clinton Street

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto NY 102

1.1 mi · 1 min · Front Street

Turn slight left onto NY 24

2.0 mi · 3 min · Hempstead Turnpike

Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road

0.4 mi · 53 sec · New Hyde Park Road

Turn left onto Tulip Avenue

2.0 mi · 3 min · Tulip Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto NY 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · Jamaica Avenue

Turn slight right onto NY 25

1.2 mi · 2 min · Braddock Avenue

Turn left onto NY 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hillside Avenue

Turn right onto I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway

Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck Bridge Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge

Continue on I 295

0.7 mi · 1 min · Throgs Neck Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 295

6.6 mi · 8 min · Cross Bronx Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway

Toward Upper Level

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.6 mi · 59 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)

Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

0.5 mi · 48 sec · I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

0.6 mi · 39 sec · I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 95 EXPR; NJTP

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 29 sec

Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 95; NJTP

2.0 mi · 2 min · New Jersey Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 69 Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 80

68 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Christopher Columbus Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec

Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380

Use the straight lane.

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17

100 mi · 1 hr 56 min · I 86; NY 17

Toward I 86: Corning

Keep slight left at fork onto I 390

23 mi · 26 min · Genesee Expressway

Toward I 390: Rochester

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 40 sec

Exit 4 Toward NY 36: Dansville

Turn left onto NY 36

0.6 mi · 1 min · Clara Barton Street

Turn left onto NY 36; NY 63

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Main Street

Turn left onto NY 36

53 ft · 0 sec · Ossian Street

Arrive at destination

NY 36

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Hempstead to maximize daylight and arrive in Dansville with time to spare. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to pace yourself; a single fuel and stretch break midway would be ideal. Be mindful of the longest stretch on I-86, approximately 100 miles, and plan your fuel accordingly before entering it. The estimated fuel cost of $53 is a good baseline for budgeting, but it's always wise to have a little extra. This route is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to complete the 324.1 miles without needing an overnight stay.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 162 miles from Hempstead, NY, or about 3h 22m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100 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 71 miles or 1h 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 162 miles or 3h 22m 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 24m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dansville, 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 324.1 miles and 6h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Hempstead, 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 I 86 for about 100 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

162 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

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vestal, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 162 miles from Hempstead, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Lumis Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fairfield, New Jersey

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $50 to $10 mile 46.3

Hours: 12–9:30 pm

+19739442049

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 23.1

+19172614093

Lumis Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $50 to $10 mile 46.3

Fairfield, New Jersey

Hours: 12–9:30 pm

+19739442049

Visit website

Bosphorus Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 46.3

Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+19733359690

Visit website

Park Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 23.1

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15167490697

Effy's Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 23.1

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+12122806200

Visit website

Fasil Mediterranean Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 46.3

Boonton, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19739173334

Visit website

Crabtree's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately

Floral Park, New York

Hours: 12–10 pm

+15163267769

Visit website

Paola's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $50 to $10 mile 23.1

New York, New York

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12127941890

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 115.7

Mt Pocono, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 277.8

Painted Post, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 23.1

New York, New York

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

Visit website

Fort Lee Historic Park, Palisades Interstate Park Commission

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 23.1

Fort Lee, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–4:45 pm

+12014611776

Visit website

Roberto Clemente State Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 23.1

Bronx, New York

Hours: 8:30 am–8:30 pm

+17182998750

Visit website

Yankee Stadium

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 23.1

Bronx, New York

+12129265337

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 8.1 and 27.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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...

15.8 mi into trip | ~25m in | I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

24.9 mi into trip | ~37m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

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. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

25.2 mi into trip | ~38m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

27.5 mi into trip | ~41m in

Take the exit toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack

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 69 Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$53.35 one way

$106.70 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 113 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.52	$57.69	$115.37
premium	$4.92	$62.82	$125.63
diesel	$5.61	$71.56	$143.11

Estimated Tolls: $22.97

George Washington Bridge $16.00

Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55

New Jersey Turnpike (2 mi) $0.28

Hempstead Turnpike (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

$53

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$101–$126

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 113.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	97.2	1	$34.03	$15.56
Efficient EV	81	0	$28.36	$12.96
EV Truck/SUV	129.6	1	$45.37	$20.74

Gas CO2

113 kg

EV CO2

38 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Hempstead, NY

Morning in Hempstead on Sunday

Local time

10:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Partly Cloudy

NE 5 to 8 mph 6% chance Live forecast

Destination

Dansville, NY

Morning in Dansville on Sunday

Local time

10:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Ramapo, NY

162 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

9 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

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 22.3

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 70% of the journey on major interstates. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, particularly on I-86, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted segment of approximately 100 miles. The character of the drive is largely defined by these efficient, high-speed roadways, designed for covering distance. While the majority is interstate, there will be transitions between these main roads, offering a change in scenery and pace as you move through New York. It's a route that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently.

70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 100 mi on I 86.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and Christopher Columbus Highway. 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 Effort 9/10

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 24 significant decision points across 324.1 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 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.9 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 Dansville, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Hackensack.

Upper Level

22.4 mi in | ~34m | via I 95; US 1

Njtp South: Hackensack

24.9 mi in | ~37m

Hackensack

27.5 mi in | ~41m

About the Cities

Starting 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 6h 33m. Total distance: 324.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 100 miles on I 86. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $22.97 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 Dansville, 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.

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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Dansville, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Hempstead, NY or browse trips ending in Dansville, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.

Trip from Hempstead, NY to Dansville, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Lumis Restaurant

Duaa’s Cafe

Lumis Restaurant

Bosphorus Restaurant

Park Cafe

Effy's Cafe

Fasil Mediterranean Restaurant

Crabtree's Restaurant

Paola's

Duaa’s Cafe

Lily and Liam

Cafe Amrita

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charge Point

J. Hood Wright Park

Bennett Park

Ross Dock Picnic Area

Fort Tryon Park

Fort Tryon

Fort Lee Historic Park, Palisades Interstate Park Commission

Roberto Clemente State Park

Yankee Stadium

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Hempstead, NY

Dansville, NY

Same local time

9 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 33m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

Stonewall National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

Federal Hall National Memorial

Castle Clinton National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Hempstead, NY

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Dansville, NY

More from Hempstead, NY

More trips to Dansville, NY