Traveling from Hempstead to Springfield covers 201.4 miles across the Northeast, a trip that typically takes 4 hours and 32 minutes of driving time. Because this route is manageable within a single day, you can easily complete the journey without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via NY 17, NY 145, and US 20 to reach your destination. Budgeting approximately $33 for fuel is a safe estimate for the trip. This highway-focused drive is straightforward, making it an efficient choice if your goal is to reach Springfield quickly and reliably.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
100.7 miles from Hempstead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
71 mi
1h 21m
NY 145
33.9 mi
50m
US 20
17.7 mi
24m
NJ 17
14.7 mi
18m
State Highway 32
9.2 mi
13m
State Highway 145
7.6 mi
10m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 71 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Springfield, 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 right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 72AToward NJ 4 West: ParamusUse 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, MahwahUse the straight lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: MahwahUse 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
71 mi·1 hr 21 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
30
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 20Toward NY 32: Saugerties
31
Turn left onto NY 32
0.2 mi·23 sec·NY 32
32
Turn straight onto NY 32
6.0 mi·8 min·NY 32
33
Continue on NY 32
1.0 mi·1 min·King's Highway
34
Continue on NY 32
9.2 mi·13 min·State Highway 32
35
At end of road, turn left onto NY 23; NY 32
1.5 mi·2 min·State Highway 23
36
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 145
29 mi·43 min·NY 145
37
Turn right onto NY 145
7.6 mi·10 min·State Highway 145
38
At end of road, turn left onto NY 7; NY 145
3.4 mi·6 min·NY 7; NY 145
39
Turn right onto NY 10; NY 145
2.1 mi·4 min·North Grand Street
40
Turn right onto NY 145
5.0 mi·7 min·NY 145
41
Turn left onto US 20
18 mi·24 min·US 20
42
Turn right onto Hinds Road
23 ft·0 sec·Hinds Road
43
Arrive at destination
Hinds Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward one-day drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time to avoid potential traffic bottlenecks. Planning for at least one stop is a smart way to break up the 4-hour and 32-minute duration and keep your energy levels up. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer 71-mile segment on NY 17, as service opportunities may be more spaced out. By checking the traffic conditions on NY 145 and US 20 before you leave Hempstead, you can better anticipate any necessary adjustments to your arrival schedule.
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 100.7 miles from Hempstead, NY, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71 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 44 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.7 miles or 2h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, 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 201.4 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 71 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.1 and 32.2 — 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
7
32 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, Mahwah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17...
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.15 one way
$66.30 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$35.85
$71.70
premium
$4.92
$39.04
$78.07
diesel
$5.61
$44.47
$88.93
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
$33
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.4
0
$21.15
$9.67
Efficient EV
50.4
0
$17.62
$8.06
EV Truck/SUV
80.6
1
$28.20
$12.89
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
24 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 16, 2026
Origin
Hempstead, NY
Morning
in Hempstead on Tuesday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Partly Sunny
S 12 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Springfield, NY
Morning
in Springfield on Tuesday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Ramapo, NY
101 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
25 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
4h 32m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 20.8
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 20.8
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 20.8
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 20.8
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 20.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by its highway-focused nature, with 93% of the journey spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 71 miles while navigating NY 17, which sets the pace for the first leg of your travel. The character of the road shifts as you transition between the state highways and US 20, moving from high-speed transit to different roadway configurations. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for a consistent, steady driving experience that prioritizes forward progress over winding local detours.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NY 145. 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 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 27 significant decision points across 201.4 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.
Between Hempstead, NY and Springfield, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark and Mahwah - among others.
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 4h 32m. Total distance: 201.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71 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.
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 Springfield, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Springfield, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
