Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 29m
Distance
362.1 mi
583 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hammond, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Hempstead to Hammond is 362.1 miles and takes about 7h 29m via NY 17 and the New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a solid choice if you're looking for a direct, efficient trip without much fuss, making it a good option for a single-day journey. Plan for a straightforward drive that prioritizes getting you from point A to point B.
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
181 miles from Hempstead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 41m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 117.5 mi | 2h 15m |
| New York State Thruway | 63 mi | 1h 12m |
| State Highway 12 | 24.3 mi | 31m |
| Bea Luck Road | 19.8 mi | 23m |
| State Highway 37 | 18 mi | 20m |
| State Route 37 | 15.9 mi | 18m |
| NJ 17 | 14.7 mi | 18m |
| State Highway 28 | 11.7 mi | 17m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Hammond, NY.
Start on Peninsula Boulevard
Turn left onto Clinton Street
Turn left onto NY 102
Turn slight left onto NY 24
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
Turn left onto Tulip Avenue
Turn left onto NY 25
Turn slight right onto NY 25
Turn left onto NY 25
Turn right onto I 295
Continue on I 295
Continue on I 295
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 4
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on I 287; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Continue on NY 169
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5; NY 167; NY 169
Turn right onto NY 167
At end of road, turn left onto NY 169
Continue on NY 28
Continue on NY 28
Continue on NY 28
Continue on NY 28
Continue on NY 8; NY 28
Turn right onto NY 28
Turn right onto NY 12
Continue on NY 12; NY 28
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12; NY 26
Turn left onto NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
At end of road, turn left onto NY 12
Turn right onto US 11; NY 12
Enter roundabout onto US 11
Continue on US 11
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 37
Continue on NY 26; NY 37
Continue on NY 37
Turn right onto Lake Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 7-hour 29-minute duration, departing in the morning is recommended to ensure you arrive with daylight. With two planned stops, you can break up the 362.1 miles comfortably, perhaps around the halfway point or a bit further. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches like the 117.5 miles on NY 17. The $60 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting. Since this is a feasible one-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as needed.
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181 miles or 3h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hammond, NY than in the middle of the route.
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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hempstead, NY
This is one driving day of about 362.1 miles and 7h 29m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
181 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 181 miles from Hempstead, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 117.5 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 24.9 and 227.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17 toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward NY 169: Little Falls, Dolgeville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$59.60 one way
$119.21 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $64.45 | $128.90 |
| premium | $4.92 | $70.18 | $140.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $79.95 | $159.89 |
Estimated Tolls: $25.84
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
$60
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$110–$135
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 108.6 | 1 | $38.02 | $17.38 |
| Efficient EV | 90.5 | 1 | $31.68 | $14.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 144.8 | 1 | $50.69 | $23.17 |
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Hempstead on Tuesday
Local time
5:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
Destination
Late night in Hammond on Tuesday
Local time
5:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a highway-focused experience for about 66% of this 362.1-mile route. You'll encounter stretches on NY 17 and the New York State Thruway, designed for steady progress. The longest uninterrupted segment spans 117.5 miles on NY 17, so settle in for some mileage. While the majority is highway driving, the inclusion of State Highway 12 suggests a potential shift in scenery or road type as you near your destination. Overall, it’s a drive that leans towards efficiency over winding backroads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and New York State Thruway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.9 miles in.
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 362.1 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 24.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hempstead, NY and Hammond, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark and Mahwah - among others.
Upper Level
Njtp South: Hackensack
Gsp South
Gsp North
Newark
Mahwah
New York State Thruway North: Albany
Dolgeville
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
Founded 1827
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 29m. Total distance: 362.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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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