Origin
Hempstead, NY
Morning in Hempstead on Tuesday
Local time
11:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hempstead, NY to Rockland, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 53m
Distance
133.9 mi
216 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 42m
★
6 AM
2h 53m
8 AM
3h 15m
10 AM
3h 1m
12 PM
2h 59m
3 PM
3h 2m
5 PM
3h 14m
8 PM
2h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rockland, NY
Peter Olexa
Trip Overview
Hempstead to Rockland is 133.9 miles and takes about 2h 53m via NY 17 and NJ 17, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New York, making it a straightforward same-day trip. It's a highway-focused journey that's mostly about covering ground efficiently. You'll find the fuel costs are quite reasonable for this distance, especially considering the high highway share. This route is ideal if you need to get from point A to point B without a lot of fuss.
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
67 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 |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 83.4 mi | 1h 39m |
| NJ 17 | 14.7 mi | 18m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Clearview Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| Tulip Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
| Throgs Neck Bridge | 2 mi | 3m |
| Hempstead Turnpike | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 83.4 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Rockland, 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 Bridge
Use 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 left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
15
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
16
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
17
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.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
I 95 EXPR; NJTP
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 72A
Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto NJ 4
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
NJ 4
Use the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, Mahwah
Use the straight lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
NJ 17
27
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 17
28
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
I 287; NY 17
29
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
14 mi
·
16 min
·
NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
30
Take the exit
1.5 mi
·
3 min
Exit 16
Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
Use the slight right lane.
31
Continue on this road
152 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Toward NY 17 West: Binghamton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on NY 17
69 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 94
Toward NY 206: Roscoe, Walton
35
Turn left onto NY 206; CR 179
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Old Route 17
36
Continue on NY 206; CR 91
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Rockland Road
37
Turn left onto Wilcox Avenue
33 ft
·
1 sec
·
Wilcox Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
Wilcox Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You'll only need to plan for one stop, so consider making it around the halfway point to stretch your legs. The fuel cost is estimated at $22, so keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the longest stretch on NY 17. Since it's a highway-heavy route, pay attention to traffic patterns, particularly as you approach populated areas in New Jersey. Leaving mid-morning can help you avoid peak commuter times.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67 miles from Hempstead, NY, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.4 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 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rockland, 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 133.9 miles and 2h 53m.
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 NY 17 for about 83.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 67 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 83.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 8.1 and 61.6 — 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
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
9
25.2 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
8
32.2 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
8
61.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
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 16
Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.04 one way
$44.08 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $23.83 | $47.67 |
| premium | $4.92 | $25.95 | $51.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.56 | $59.13 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.69
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
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
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
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 | 40.2 | 0 | $14.06 | $6.43 |
| Efficient EV | 33.5 | 0 | $11.72 | $5.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.75 | $8.57 |
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.
Destination
Rockland, NY
Morning in Rockland on Tuesday
Local time
11:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Ramapo, NY
67 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
17 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 53m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 23.1
View on nps.gov
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 23.1
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument
National Monument
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...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 23.1
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument
National Monument
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 23.1
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 23.1
View on nps.gov
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 23.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 91% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a good portion of your time on NY 17 and NJ 17, which are designed for efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 83.4 miles on NY 17, meaning you can settle in for a solid period of driving. This route generally maintains a consistent pace, prioritizing speed over winding scenic byways.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.4 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. 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
10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 133.9 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 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Rockland, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark and Mahwah - among others.
Upper Level
22.4 mi in
|
~34m
|
via I 95; US 1
Njtp South: Hackensack
24.9 mi in
|
~37m
Gsp South
32 mi in
|
~47m
Gsp North
32 mi in
|
~47m
Newark
32 mi in
|
~47m
Mahwah
32 mi in
|
~47m
New York State Thruway North: Albany
47.3 mi in
|
~1h 7m
|
via NY 17
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 2h 53m. Total distance: 133.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 53m 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 83.4 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $22.69 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.
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 Rockland, 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 8.1 miles (I 295 / Clearview Expressway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Rockland, NY before heading back.
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
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Rockland, NY
More trips to Rockland, NY
Explore more options from Hempstead, NY or browse trips ending in Rockland, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.