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Trip from Hempstead, NY to Walton, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 34m

Distance

157.5 mi

253 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 22m ★
6 AM
3h 35m
8 AM
4h 0m
10 AM
3h 43m
12 PM
3h 41m
3 PM
3h 45m
5 PM
3h 58m
8 PM
3h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in Delaware County, New York, United States

Walton, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 157.5-mile drive from Hempstead, NY, to Walton, NY, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 34 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 88% of the journey on main roads like NY 17 and NJ 17, and also utilizes State Highway 206. With an estimated fuel cost of $26, this trip is quite budget-friendly. You'll spend most of your time on higher-speed roads, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points within the Northeast region.

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

78.8 miles from Hempstead, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NY 17 83.4 mi 1h 39m
NJ 17 14.7 mi 18m
State Highway 206 13.7 mi 24m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Cross Bronx Expressway 6.6 mi 8m
Clearview Expressway 5 mi 5m
Cat Hollow Road 4.6 mi 8m
State Highway 30 2.8 mi 4m
Longest stretch: NY 17 — 83.4 mi, about 1h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Walton, 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

1.6 mi · 2 min · Rockland Road
37

Continue on NY 206; CR 7

4.7 mi · 8 min · State Highway 206
38

Continue on NY 206; CR 7

4.6 mi · 8 min · Cat Hollow Road
39

At end of road, turn left onto NY 30; NY 206

2.8 mi · 4 min · State Highway 30
40

Continue on NY 30; NY 206

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Bridge Street
41

Continue on NY 206

9.0 mi · 16 min · State Highway 206
42

Continue on NY 206

0.9 mi · 1 min · Stockton Avenue
43

Turn right onto NY 206

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Bridge Street
44

At end of road, turn left onto NY 10; NY 206

242 ft · 6 sec · Delaware Street
45

Turn right onto CR 21

485 ft · 15 sec · Townsend Street
46

Turn right

147 ft · 10 sec
47

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 34 minutes, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. Aim to depart Hempstead, NY, in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and take advantage of lighter traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $26, you have a lot of flexibility in pacing yourself. A practical tip for this route is to be mindful of the transitions between highways, especially when shifting from NJ 17 to State Highway 206, as these can sometimes involve more complex intersections or changes in speed limits.

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 78.8 miles from Hempstead, NY, or about 1h 46m 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 35 miles or 51m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 78.8 miles or 1h 46m 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 46m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Walton, 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 157.5 miles and 3h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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.

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

79 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

Yonkers, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New Windsor, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 78.8 miles from Hempstead, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · first break window

Hainan

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Flushing, New York

Near the start, short detour

First break · 15min in 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19175637223

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Paramus, New Jersey

2.3 mi

Lima 33 Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Little Neck, New York

2.4 mi

Best coffee break · first break window

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 31min in 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

+19172614093

Hainan

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Flushing, New York

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19175637223

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12014871088

Visit website

Lima 33 Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Little Neck, New York

Hours: 1–9 pm

+17182254949

Visit website

Honey Day Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Glen Rock, New Jersey

Hours: 8:30 am–3 pm

+12013893535

Visit website

Park Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15167490697

Shogun Japan Japanese restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately

Hollis, New York

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13322041966

Visit website

Luigi's Restaurant And Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately

Queens, New York

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+17183477136

Visit website

Effy's Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+12122806200

Visit website

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

+19172614093

Cafe Amrita

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+12122220683

Visit website

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12015675111

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Middletown, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Mahwah, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

SWTCH Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Monroe, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18447982438

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Monroe, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Goshen, New York

+18887174544

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Middletown, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Goshen, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Middletown, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

J. Hood Wright Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, NY

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

Bennett Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, NY

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

Roberto Clemente State Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Bronx, New York

Hours: 8:30 am–8:30 pm

+17182998750

Visit website

Fort Tryon Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12127951388

Visit website

Yankee Stadium

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Bronx, New York

+12129265337

Visit website

Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Bronx, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

Fort Tryon

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

Visit website

The Bronx Museum of the Arts

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Bronx, New York

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+17186816000

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 26

5 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

$25.93 one way

$51.85 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $28.03 $56.07
premium $4.92 $30.53 $61.05
diesel $5.61 $34.77 $69.55

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

$26

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 55.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.3 0 $16.54 $7.56
Efficient EV 39.4 0 $13.78 $6.30
EV Truck/SUV 63 0 $22.05 $10.08

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Hempstead, NY

Late night in Hempstead on Tuesday

Local time

5:09 AM

EDT

Current temp

83°F

Partly Sunny

S 12 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Destination

Walton, NY

Late night in Walton on Tuesday

Local time

5:09 AM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

63°F

Ramapo, NY

79 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

42 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 34m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

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 ~8 min detour Free near mile 21.7
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
View on nps.gov
Hamilton Grange National Memorial

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...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 21.7
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

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 ~22 min detour Free near mile 21.7
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

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 21.7
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

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 ~28 min detour Free near mile 21.7
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 21.7
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 157.5-mile journey. With 88% of the route on main roads, you'll experience the efficiency of high-speed travel for much of your time behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 83.4 miles, primarily on NY 17, which means you can settle in for a solid period of driving. While the focus is on the highway, the inclusion of State Highway 206 suggests a potential shift in scenery and road type as you approach your destination.

88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 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 26 significant decision points across 157.5 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 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 Walton, 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

Arriving in Walton, 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 3h 34m. Total distance: 157.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). 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.

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 Walton, 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 — 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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Walton, 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.

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