If you are looking to head north from Hempstead to Philmont, you can expect a manageable 133.8-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 2 minutes. This trip is ideally suited for a one-day outing, as it fits easily within a standard travel window without needing an overnight stop. You will traverse the Northeast region primarily using a mix of I-684, I-84, and the Taconic State Parkway. Budgeting around $22 for fuel should cover your transit costs, making this a reasonably priced excursion. Because the route is highway-focused, it is a straightforward drive that prioritizes efficiency over local road navigation.
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
66.9 miles from Hempstead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Taconic State Parkway
53.9 mi
1h 13m
I 684
27 mi
31m
I 84
15.4 mi
18m
Hutchinson River Parkway
13.5 mi
19m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Throgs Neck Expressway
2.5 mi
3m
Tulip Avenue
2 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Taconic State Parkway
— 53.9 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Philmont, 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
26 mi·30 min·I 684
21
Continue on I 684
0.8 mi·1 min·I 684
Exit |; 9W|9E
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 9WToward I 84 West: NewburghUse the right lane.
23
Merge onto I 84
15 mi·18 min·I 84
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 52BToward Taconic State Parkway North, AlbanyUse the slight right lane.
25
Merge onto Taconic State Parkway
54 mi·1 hr 13 min·Taconic State Parkway
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward NY 217, CR 21C: Philmont, Harlemville
27
Keep slight left at fork
407 ft·13 sec
28
Continue on NY 217
1.5 mi·2 min·State Highway 217
29
Continue on NY 217
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
30
Turn right onto Rock Street
332 ft·19 sec·Rock Street
31
Turn left onto Prospect Street
45 ft·2 sec·Prospect Street
32
Arrive at destination
Prospect Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour trip, plan for at least one stop to break up the drive and keep your energy levels consistent. Since this is a highway-heavy route, try to depart early in the day to avoid peak congestion on the major interstates you will encounter. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, though the $22 estimated cost remains fairly stable across the region. Because you have the flexibility of a one-day trip, feel free to adjust your departure time based on real-time traffic conditions on I-684 or I-84. A helpful tip is to proactively map out your single stop along the Taconic State Parkway to ensure you have a comfortable place to stretch before reaching Philmont.
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 66.9 miles from Hempstead, NY, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.9 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 29 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.9 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philmont, 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 133.8 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 Taconic State Parkway for about 53.9 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.8 and 76.8 — 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
8
76.8 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward Taconic State Parkway North, Albany
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 52B
Toward Taconic State Parkway North, Albany
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.02 one way
$44.05 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$23.82
$47.63
premium
$4.92
$25.93
$51.87
diesel
$5.61
$29.54
$59.08
Estimated Tolls: $6.69
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
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
$22
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.1
0
$14.05
$6.42
Efficient EV
33.5
0
$11.71
$5.35
EV Truck/SUV
53.5
0
$18.73
$8.56
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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 13, 2026
Origin
Hempstead, NY
Afternoon
in Hempstead on Tuesday
Local time
12:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 10 to 17 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 13 at 12:55AM EDT until April 13 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 12:22AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Philmont, NY
Afternoon
in Philmont on Tuesday
Local time
12:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°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
36 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
3h 2m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 91% of the trip spent on highways, this drive is designed for consistent momentum rather than winding backroads. You will find yourself settling into a rhythm quickly, especially during the longest stretch of 53.9 miles along the Taconic State Parkway. The personality of this route is defined by its fast-paced nature, transitioning from the busier suburban corridors of Long Island to the more fluid flow of the state parkway system. Expect a functional, interstate-heavy experience that allows you to cover the distance in a single, efficient push. It is a practical drive where the pavement quality and highway connectivity dictate the pace of your journey.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.9 mi on Taconic State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Taconic State Parkway and I 684. 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
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 21 significant decision points across 133.8 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
695 ft11 ft
Total Climb
1,089 ft
Total Descent
735 ft
Highest Point
695 ft
~66.9 mi in
Elevation Range
684 ft
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 Philmont, NY, road signs point toward Hutchinson Parkway North, Hutchinson River Parkway North, Taconic State Parkway North and Albany.
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 3h 2m. Total distance: 133.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.9 miles on Taconic State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.69 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.
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 Philmont, 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 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Philmont, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
