Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 14m
Distance
300.7 mi
484 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wilmington, NY
Mel Audelo
Hempstead, NY to Wilmington, NY is 300.7 miles and takes about 6h 14m via NY 17 and Adirondack Northway, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, moving from one part of New York to another. It's primarily a highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day journey. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on major roadways, so expect a consistent pace for most of the 300.7 miles. This route is a good choice if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without extensive detours.
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
150.3 miles from Hempstead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 111.7 mi | 2h 8m |
| Adirondack Northway | 97.7 mi | 1h 53m |
| NJ 17 | 14.7 mi | 18m |
| State Highway 9N | 11.5 mi | 17m |
| State Highway 73 | 11.5 mi | 16m |
| I 787 | 9 mi | 12m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Wilmington, 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 I 787
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 787
Take the exit
Merge onto NY 7
Take the exit
Merge onto I 87
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 9
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 73
Continue on NY 9N; NY 73
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 9N
Continue on NY 9N
Turn left onto NY 86
Turn left onto CR 83
Arrive at destination
Given the 6h 14m estimated duration, you can comfortably complete this drive in a single day, so a morning departure is ideal to maximize daylight. With one recommended stop, plan to take a break around the halfway point or after the longest stretch of 111.7 miles on NY 17. Fuel costs are estimated at $50, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Hempstead and consider topping up before embarking on the 111.7-mile segment on NY 17, as services might be less frequent. The flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust your pace as needed, but staying on schedule is easy with this highway-centric route.
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 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 66 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.3 miles or 3h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilmington, NY than in the middle of the route.
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 300.7 miles and 6h 14m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
150 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.
A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 150.3 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 111.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 24.9 and 159 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
Take the exit toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$49.50 one way
$98.99 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $53.52 | $107.04 |
| premium | $4.92 | $58.28 | $116.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $66.39 | $132.78 |
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
$50
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.2 | 1 | $31.57 | $14.43 |
| Efficient EV | 75.2 | 0 | $26.31 | $12.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 120.3 | 1 | $42.10 | $19.24 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Hempstead on Sunday
Local time
8:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Evening in Wilmington on Sunday
Local time
8:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This drive is largely highway-focused, with 64% of the route utilizing major roadways like NY 17 and the Adirondack Northway. You'll encounter stretches where the speed limit is higher and the scenery is less immediate. The longest uninterrupted drive segment is 111.7 miles along NY 17, which means you can maintain a steady pace for a considerable duration. While predominantly highway, expect some transitions as you navigate between these main arteries. The overall feel is one of efficient travel, designed to get you to your destination with minimal fuss.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and Adirondack Northway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.9 miles in.
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 29 significant decision points across 300.7 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 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hempstead, NY and Wilmington, 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
Troy
Saratoga Springs
Glens Falls
Keene Valley
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 14m. Total distance: 300.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 14m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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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