This 259.3-mile journey from Lenox, NY to Hempstead, NY is designed for a single day, requiring approximately 5 hours and 43 minutes of driving time. The route is heavily focused on highways, with 81% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll be looking at an estimated fuel cost of $43 for this trip. Given its manageable length and highway-intensive profile, it’s a straightforward drive that doesn't necessitate an overnight stop. The experience is primarily a transit-focused one, efficiently connecting two points within the Northeast region.
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
129.6 miles from Lenox, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
106 mi
2h 12m
State Highway 8
36.8 mi
41m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
New York State Thruway
13.7 mi
15m
State Highway 12
10.2 mi
15m
Rexford Street
8.3 mi
9m
State Route 46
7 mi
10m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 106 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lenox, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on CR 54
0.2 mi·36 sec·South Court Street
2
Turn sharp left onto CR 92
0.4 mi·58 sec·Clockville Road
3
Turn right onto CR 29
0.2 mi·38 sec·Creek Road
4
Turn left onto CR 100
3.3 mi·7 min·Mount Hope Avenue
5
At end of road, turn right onto NY 46
5.6 mi·8 min·State Route 46
6
Continue on NY 46
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
7
Continue on NY 46
5.8 mi·7 min·Bear Path Road
8
Turn right onto NY 46
120 ft·8 sec·NY 46
9
Continue on US 20; NY 46
0.2 mi·24 sec·US 20; NY 46
10
Continue on NY 46
1.4 mi·1 min·State Route 46
11
Continue on NY 12B
2.0 mi·2 min·State Route 12B
12
Continue on NY 12B
1.1 mi·1 min·Utica Street
13
Turn slight right onto NY 12B
1.1 mi·1 min·Broad Street
14
Continue on NY 12B
4.6 mi·6 min·State Route 12B
15
Continue on NY 12B
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
16
Continue on NY 12B
3.7 mi·5 min·State Highway 12B
17
Continue on NY 12B
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
18
Continue on NY 12
10 mi·15 min·State Highway 12
19
Continue on NY 12
0.6 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
20
Turn left onto NY 23
8.3 mi·9 min·Rexford Street
21
Turn right onto NY 8
18 mi·20 min·State Highway 8
22
Continue on NY 8
0.4 mi·29 sec·Airport Road
23
Continue on NY 8
19 mi·21 min·State Highway 8
24
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.3 mi·18 sec·Oak Street
25
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.4 mi·44 sec·State Highway 10
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward NY 17 East
27
Merge onto NY 17
105 mi·2 hr 11 min·NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·59 sec
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York CityUse the slight right lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York CityUse the slight right lane.
30
Merge onto I 87
14 mi·15 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
32
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
33
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
36
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
37
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
39
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
41
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
43
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
2.0 mi·2 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6BToward I 295 South: Throgs Neck BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
45
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
46
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
49
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi·2 min·Braddock Avenue
50
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi·34 sec·Jamaica Avenue
51
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi·56 sec·Jericho Turnpike
52
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
53
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·New Hyde Park Road
54
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi·3 min·Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
55
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the right lane.
56
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
57
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi·26 sec·Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
58
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour, 43-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Lenox, NY, to bypass potential traffic as you approach Hempstead, NY. With the longest stretch covering 106 miles on NY 17, plan for one well-timed stop for fuel and a break roughly midway. This 259.3-mile trip is quite feasible in a single day, so you have flexibility in your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 106-mile segment on NY 17, to ensure a smooth journey with your estimated $43 fuel budget.
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 129.6 miles from Lenox, NY, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106 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 57 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.6 miles or 2h 51m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hempstead, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lenox, 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 Lenox, NY
This is one driving day of about 259.3 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Lenox, 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 106 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 195.8 and 241.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
195.8 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
7
196.5 mi into trip|~4h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 87 Toll South: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York City
9
211.1 mi into trip|~4h 33m in|NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
212.5 mi into trip|~4h 34m in|NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
241.5 mi into trip|~5h 15m in|I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 6B
Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.68 one way
$85.36 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$46.15
$92.31
premium
$4.92
$50.26
$100.51
diesel
$5.61
$57.25
$114.50
Estimated Tolls: $23.41
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(13.7 mi)$0.68
Hempstead Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.14
Jericho Turnpike
(0.5 mi)$0.04
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
$43
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.8
0
$27.23
$12.45
Efficient EV
64.8
0
$22.69
$10.37
EV Truck/SUV
103.7
1
$36.30
$16.60
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Lenox, NY
Morning
in Lenox on Tuesday
Local time
6:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Morning
in Hempstead on Tuesday
Local time
6:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 6 to 12 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
38 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 43m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 232.4
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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 232.4
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 232.4
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
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 241.4
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
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 232.4
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 241.4
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 the majority of this trip, as 81% of the route is on major roads. You'll spend significant time on NY 17, including one continuous stretch of 106 miles. The primary roads guiding you are NY 17, State Highway 8, and NJ 17. While predominantly highway, there might be transitions between these major arteries, offering a consistent pace for most of the journey. This profile suggests a drive where maintaining speed is generally possible.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
58 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106 mi on NY 17.
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 195.8 miles in.
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 30 significant decision points across 259.3 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 195.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 196.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 211.1 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Lenox, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany, New York City, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
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 5h 43m. Total distance: 259.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.41 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 Hempstead, 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 195.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 196.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 211.1 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hempstead, NY before the return drive.
