Hempstead to Mahopac is 59.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 31 minutes via I 684 and Hutchinson River Parkway, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip, making it a good option if you're looking for efficiency. With a duration under two hours, this route is easily manageable as a same-day excursion, allowing for a relaxed start and arrival.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
29.9 miles from Hempstead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 684
15.6 mi
18m
Hutchinson River Parkway
13.5 mi
19m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Lovell Street
2.9 mi
6m
Primrose Street
2.7 mi
5m
Throgs Neck Expressway
2.5 mi
3m
Tulip Avenue
2 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 684
— 15.6 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Mahopac, 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
0.2 mi·18 sec·New England Thruway
16
Take the exit
430 ft·14 sec
Exit 9Toward Hutchinson Parkway NorthUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Hutchinson River Parkway NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
18
Merge onto HR
14 mi·19 min·Hutchinson River Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
1.6 mi·2 min
Exit 16AToward I 684 North: BrewsterUse the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto I 684
16 mi·18 min·I 684
21
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 6Toward NY 35: Cross River, KatonahUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 35: Katonah, Cross RiverUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
244 ft·8 sec
Toward NY 35 West: Katonah
24
Turn left onto NY 35
0.2 mi·36 sec·Cross River Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Continue on NY 35
1.4 mi·1 min·Woods Bridge Road
26
Turn right onto NY 100
0.6 mi·57 sec·Somerstown Turnpike
27
Turn slight left onto NY 139
2.7 mi·5 min·Primrose Street
28
Continue on NY 139
361 ft·8 sec·Primrose Drive
29
Turn right onto US 202
2.9 mi·6 min·Lovell Street
30
Continue on Kennicut Hill Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Kennicut Hill Road
31
At end of road, turn right onto Bucks Hollow Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·Bucks Hollow Road
32
Turn right
88 ft·6 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 31 minutes, this trip offers flexibility; consider departing mid-morning to avoid peak commuter traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $10, you likely won't need to worry about frequent stops for gas. The longest stretch without a need to exit is 15.6 miles on I 684, so plan any brief breaks before or after this segment. Since the drive is under two hours and focused on highways, your primary consideration will be navigating expressways like the Hutchinson River Parkway efficiently.
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 29.9 miles from Hempstead, NY, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.6 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 13 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.9 miles or 46m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mahopac, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hempstead, NY
This is one driving day of about 59.7 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Hempstead, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 684 for about 15.6 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.8 and 50.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
18.8 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward Hutchinson Parkway North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9
Toward Hutchinson Parkway North
8
18.9 mi into trip|~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Hutchinson River Parkway North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Hutchinson River Parkway North
8
32.6 mi into trip|~50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 684 North: Brewster
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 16A
Toward I 684 North: Brewster
9
50.5 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 35: Katonah, Cross River
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6
Toward NY 35: Katonah, Cross River
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.83 one way
$19.65 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg21 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$10.63
$21.25
premium
$4.92
$11.57
$23.14
diesel
$5.61
$13.18
$26.36
Estimated Tolls: $6.73
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
Hempstead Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.14
Somerstown Turnpike
(0.6 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
$10
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
17.9
0
$6.27
$2.87
Efficient EV
14.9
0
$5.22
$2.39
EV Truck/SUV
23.9
0
$8.36
$3.82
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Hempstead, NY
Late night
in Hempstead on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Mahopac, NY
Late night
in Mahopac on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Mount Vernon, NY
30 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
3 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
1h 31m 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.
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 18.5
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 16.5
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 10.3
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 16.5
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 10.3
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 10.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive is predominantly on major arteries, with 67% of the journey utilizing expressways. You'll experience stretches of uninterrupted driving, including a notable 15.6-mile segment on I 684. The route generally keeps you moving at a good pace, primarily on the Clearview Expressway and Hutchinson River Parkway before merging onto I 684. Expect a consistent driving experience that prioritizes direct travel over winding scenic byways.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 15.6 mi on I 684.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 684 and Hutchinson River Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.8 miles in near I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.7 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 15.8 miles (I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles: 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.
Between Hempstead, NY and Mahopac, NY, road signs point toward Hutchinson Parkway North, Hutchinson River Parkway North, Katonah and Cross River.
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 1h 31m. Total distance: 59.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 15.6 miles on I 684. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.73 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.
Yes — we found about 2 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 Mahopac, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.8 miles (I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and African Burial Ground National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Mahopac, NY before heading back.
