Origin
Hempstead, NY
Late night in Hempstead on Sunday
Local time
3:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hempstead, NY to Rotterdam, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 38m
Distance
174.5 mi
281 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 26m
★
6 AM
3h 38m
8 AM
4h 3m
10 AM
3h 47m
12 PM
3h 45m
3 PM
3h 48m
5 PM
4h 2m
8 PM
3h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rotterdam, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 174.5-mile drive from Hempstead, NY, to Rotterdam, NY, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 38 minutes. Primarily a highway-focused experience, you'll spend about 89% of your time on major roadways, making for an efficient journey. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $29, and you'll likely make just one planned stop. Given its relatively short duration and highway nature, it’s well-suited for a single day of travel without feeling overly rushed. You'll remain within the Northeast region throughout this trip.
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
87.3 miles from Hempstead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 117.5 mi | 2h 15m |
| NJ 17 | 14.7 mi | 18m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| New York State Thruway | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| Clearview Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| Curry Road | 2.8 mi | 6m |
| Tulip Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 117.5 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Rotterdam, 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
118 mi
·
2 hr 15 min
·
NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
New York State Thruway
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
31
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 25
Toward I 890, NY 146, NY 7: Schenectady
Use the slight right lane.
32
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
Toward NY 7 West
Use the right lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork
389 ft
·
16 sec
Toward NY 7 West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on NY 7
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Curry Road
35
Enter roundabout onto NY 7
115 ft
·
6 sec
·
Curry Road
36
Continue on NY 7
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Curry Road
37
Continue on NY 7
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Curry Road
38
Turn right onto CR 160
98 ft
·
2 sec
·
Guilderland Avenue
39
Arrive at destination
CR 160
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 38-minute journey, departing Hempstead, NY, in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential evening traffic. With a total distance of 174.5 miles, you can comfortably complete this in one day. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, considering the $29 fuel cost. The longest stretch on NY 17 is over 100 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with extended periods of highway driving before you embark.
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 87.3 miles from Hempstead, NY, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.5 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 38 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.3 miles or 1h 53m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rotterdam, 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 174.5 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 117.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 87.3 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 24.9 and 170.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
47.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
NY 17
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State...
8
170.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
Take the exit toward I 890, NY 146, NY 7: Schenectady
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 25
Toward I 890, NY 146, NY 7: Schenectady
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.72 one way
$57.45 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $31.06 | $62.12 |
| premium | $4.92 | $33.82 | $67.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.53 | $77.05 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.99
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(6.1 mi)
$0.30
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
$29
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.4 | 0 | $18.32 | $8.38 |
| Efficient EV | 43.6 | 0 | $15.27 | $6.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.8 | 0 | $24.43 | $11.17 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Rotterdam, NY
Late night in Rotterdam on Sunday
Local time
3:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Ramapo, NY
87 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
15 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 38m 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
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 24.1
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 24.1
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 24.1
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 24.1
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 24.1
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 24.1
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 the majority of this trip, with 89% of the route utilizing major roadways like NY 17 and NJ 17. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 117.5 miles on NY 17, offering a substantial period of consistent driving. This profile suggests a journey characterized by steady progress and efficient travel, rather than winding country roads or intricate local routes. The highway nature means you’ll likely experience consistent speeds and fewer opportunities for spontaneous detours.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.5 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 24.9 miles in.
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 23 significant decision points across 174.5 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.
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 Rotterdam, 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 3h 38m. Total distance: 174.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 117.5 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $22.99 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 Rotterdam, 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 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.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Rotterdam, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
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 Rotterdam, NY
More trips to Rotterdam, NY
Explore more options from Hempstead, NY or browse trips ending in Rotterdam, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.