This 414.7-mile journey from Hempstead, NY to Sheridan, NY spans approximately 8 hours and 51 minutes of driving time. Given the distance and duration, it's best planned as a two-day trip, allowing for a more relaxed pace and the opportunity to enjoy the drive. You'll primarily be navigating on I-86 and I-81, with a section of Christopher Columbus Highway. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $68. This highway-focused drive stays within the Northeast region, offering a straightforward path across New York State. Planning for two stops along the way is recommended to break up the driving.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
207.3 miles from Hempstead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
100 mi
1h 56m
Christopher Columbus Highway
68.2 mi
1h 20m
I 81
58.1 mi
1h 9m
State Highway 39
35.6 mi
51m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Genesee Expressway
22.8 mi
26m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
Nunda-Dansville Road
12.4 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 100 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Sheridan, 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 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: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 69Toward I 80 West: Paterson, HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 80
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
26
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
27
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
28
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
23 mi·26 min·Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·40 sec
Exit 4Toward NY 36: Dansville
32
Turn left onto NY 36
0.4 mi·37 sec·Clara Barton Street
33
Turn left onto Lincoln Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·Lincoln Street
34
Turn left onto NY 36
0.7 mi·1 min·Ossian Street
35
Continue on NY 436
12 mi·16 min·Nunda-Dansville Road
36
Continue on NY 436
1.0 mi·1 min·Mill Street
37
Continue on NY 436
5.6 mi·8 min·Portage Street
38
Continue on NY 436
360 ft·10 sec·Main Street
39
Turn right onto NY 436
0.3 mi·43 sec·Hamilton Street
40
Continue on NY 19A; NY 436
2.2 mi·3 min·NY 19A; NY 436
41
Turn left onto NY 436
1.8 mi·2 min·Denton Corners Road
42
Turn left onto NY 39
2.7 mi·3 min·State Highway 39
43
Continue on NY 39
15 mi·22 min·State Highway 39
44
Continue on NY 39
2.3 mi·5 min·East Main Street
45
Continue on NY 39
1.1 mi·2 min·State Route 39
46
Turn right onto NY 16; NY 39
0.2 mi·19 sec·Olean Road
47
Continue on NY 16; NY 39
0.6 mi·1 min·State Highway 16
48
Turn left onto NY 39
1.4 mi·1 min·Schutt Road
49
Turn slight left onto NY 39
0.2 mi·10 sec·State Highway 39
50
Continue on NY 39
7.7 mi·8 min·Springville Sardinia Highway
51
Continue on NY 39
2.5 mi·6 min·East Main Street
52
Continue on NY 39
4.2 mi·5 min·State Highway 39
53
Continue on NY 39
8.7 mi·14 min·Main Street
54
At end of road, turn left onto US 62; NY 39
1.8 mi·2 min·US 62; NY 39
55
Turn left onto US 62; NY 39
0.7 mi·1 min·Buffalo Street
56
At end of road, turn right onto US 62; NY 39
468 ft·10 sec·East Main Street
57
Continue on NY 39
0.5 mi·47 sec·West Main Street
58
Continue on NY 39
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 39
59
Continue on NY 39
1.6 mi·2 min·State Highway 39
60
Continue on NY 39
1.1 mi·1 min·Main Street
61
Continue on NY 39
8.0 mi·11 min·State Highway 39
62
Continue on NY 39
0.6 mi·1 min·Lodi Street
63
Continue on NY 39
0.5 mi·43 sec·Main Street
64
Continue on NY 39
2.6 mi·3 min·State Highway 39
65
Turn right onto CTR 79
1.4 mi·3 min·Center Road
66
Turn sharp left onto US 20
95 ft·2 sec·East Main Street
67
Arrive at destination
US 20
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 8-hour, 51-minute drive, consider splitting it over two days. Leaving early in the morning on your first day will help you cover a significant portion before stopping for the night. With two recommended stops, plan to break up the 414.7 miles to avoid fatigue. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 100-mile stretch on I-86, as services can be spaced out. Having a good playlist or podcast ready will enhance your experience on the highway sections.
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 drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 207.3 miles from Hempstead, NY, or about 4h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 91 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 207.3 miles or 4h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 207.3 miles or 4h 16m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sheridan, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hempstead, NY
Aim for roughly 207 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Sheridan, NY
Aim for roughly 207 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Hempstead, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 86 for about 100 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 34
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.1 and 27.5 — 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...
6
15.8 mi into trip|~25m in|I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
8
25.2 mi into trip|~38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
27.5 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Paterson, 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.
Exit 69
Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.26 one way
$136.52 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg145 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$73.81
$147.63
premium
$4.92
$80.38
$160.75
diesel
$5.61
$91.56
$183.12
Estimated Tolls: $22.97
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New Jersey Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.28
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
$68
Tolls
$23
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$221–$331
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 145.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
124.4
1
$43.54
$19.91
Efficient EV
103.7
1
$36.29
$16.59
EV Truck/SUV
165.9
2
$58.06
$26.54
Gas CO2
145 kg
EV CO2
49 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Hempstead, NY
Late night
in Hempstead on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
Destination
Sheridan, NY
Late night
in Sheridan on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Union, NY
207 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
8 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
8h 51m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 28.6
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 28.6
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
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 28.6
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...
11 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 28.6
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 28.6
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 28.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for about 64% of this route, featuring longer stretches of Interstate travel. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is a substantial 100 miles on I-86, which means you can settle in for some solid cruising. While primarily on major highways, the route isn't without its changes in scenery and road type as you transition between I-86, Christopher Columbus Highway, and I-81. It offers a consistent pace for much of the journey, making it efficient for covering ground.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
67 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100 mi on I 86.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and Christopher Columbus Highway. 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 Effort9/10
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 34 significant decision points across 414.7 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 15.8 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Sheridan, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack and Hackensack.
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
The longest stretch is about 100 miles on I 86. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 207 miles on day one.
Expect about $22.97 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 Sheridan, 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 2 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 15.8 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sheridan, NY before the return drive.
