Trip from Hempstead, NY to Stockbridge, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 25m
Distance
250.3 mi
403 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hempstead, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Stockbridge, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Hempstead to Stockbridge is 250.3 miles and takes about 5h 25m via NY 17 and State Highway 8, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within New York for its entirety, making for a straightforward drive. With over 80% of the route on highways, you'll cover ground efficiently. It's a good option if you want a relatively quick drive to your destination without much fuss.
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
125.2 miles from Hempstead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 119.5 mi | 2h 27m |
| State Highway 8 | 36.8 mi | 42m |
| NJ 17 | 14.7 mi | 18m |
| State Highway 12 | 10.2 mi | 15m |
| West Street | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| State Route 12B | 6.6 mi | 9m |
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,060 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,244 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 72 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Stockbridge, NY.
Start on Peninsula Boulevard
Turn left onto Clinton Street
Turn left onto NY 102
Turn slight left onto NY 24
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
Turn left onto Tulip Avenue
Turn left onto NY 25
Turn slight right onto NY 25
Turn left onto NY 25
Turn right onto I 295
Continue on I 295
Continue on I 295
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 4
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on I 287; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on NY 17
Take the exit
Turn right onto NY 8; NY 10
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
Turn straight onto NY 8; NY 10
Continue on NY 8
Continue on NY 8
Turn left onto NY 23
Turn right onto NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12B
Continue on NY 12B
Continue on NY 12B
Continue on NY 12B
Continue on NY 12B
Continue on NY 12B
Continue on NY 46
Turn left onto US 20; NY 46
Turn straight onto NY 46
Continue on NY 46
Continue on NY 46
Turn sharp right onto CR 38
Turn left onto CR 33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider leaving Hempstead in the morning to arrive in Stockbridge with plenty of daylight. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your timing. There's one recommended stop noted, which is a good opportunity to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach the 119.5-mile stretch on NY 17, ensuring you have enough to comfortably complete that segment before needing to refuel again. The estimated fuel cost is around $41.
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.
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 55 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.2 miles or 2h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stockbridge, 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 250.3 miles and 5h 25m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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
A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 125.2 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 119.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
East Branch Rest Area
Roscoe
Pilot Travel Center
Rest Area
Service Plaza
Middletown Rest Area
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 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.
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
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
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.81 one way
$87.62 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.82 | $47.48 | $94.96 |
| premium | $5.23 | $51.54 | $103.08 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $61.85 | $123.69 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.69
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
$44
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.1 | 0 | $26.28 | $12.01 |
| Efficient EV | 62.6 | 0 | $21.90 | $10.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.1 | 1 | $35.04 | $16.02 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Hempstead, NY
Late night in Hempstead on Friday
Local time
1:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Sunny
Destination
Stockbridge, NY
Late night in Stockbridge on Friday
Local time
1:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
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
3 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
5h 25m 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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend most of your time on highways, with an 87% highway share. The longest continuous stretch on these faster roads is 119.5 miles, primarily on NY 17. You'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of the trip, which will likely involve more local traffic and a different pace. Be prepared for a higher density of exits and merging traffic as you navigate the highway portions.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and State Highway 8. 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.
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 26 significant decision points across 250.3 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
2,186 ft
Total Descent
1,567 ft
Highest Point
1,647 ft
~125.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,603 ft
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 Stockbridge, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark and Mahwah - among others.
Upper Level
Njtp South: Hackensack
Gsp South
Gsp North
Newark
Mahwah
New York State Thruway North: Albany
Walton
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
Arriving in Stockbridge, NY
Full guide →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 5h 25m. Total distance: 250.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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