Spanning 332.5 miles from Lincoln to Hempstead, this journey through the Northeast takes approximately 7 hours and 9 minutes of driving time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, it demands more focus than a simple interstate cruise, making a one-day trip feasible but tiring. You should budget about $54 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating through New York, you will rely on a combination of I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and I-380 to reach your destination. Given the duration and the technical nature of the roads, you can complete this in a single day if you start early, though you should plan for at least two stops along the way to stay refreshed.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
166.3 miles from Lincoln, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
New York State Thruway
19.2 mi
22m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on CR 200
1.4 mi·3 min·North Lincoln Road
2
Turn left onto NY 286
2.5 mi·3 min·Atlantic Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto NY 350
5.1 mi·7 min·Ontario Center Road
4
Turn left onto NY 31F; NY 350
1.7 mi·3 min·State Highway 350
5
Turn left onto NY 31
0.4 mi·59 sec·Main Street
6
Continue on NY 31
2.4 mi·2 min·State Route 31
7
Continue on NY 31
0.7 mi·53 sec·West Main Street
8
Turn right onto NY 21
0.5 mi·46 sec·Canandaigua Street
9
Continue on NY 21
1.1 mi·1 min·Canandaigua Road
10
Continue on NY 21
4.3 mi·6 min·State Route 21
11
Continue on NY 21
0.2 mi·19 sec·North Main Street
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 90 East
14
Merge onto I 90
19 mi·22 min·New York State Thruway
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
17
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
18
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
19
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
20
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
22
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
23
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
24
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
25
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
26
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
27
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
28
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
29
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
30
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
31
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
32
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
34
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
36
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
38
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
39
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
40
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
41
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
42
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
44
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
46
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
47
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
48
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
49
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
51
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
53
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
54
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
55
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
56
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.
57
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
58
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
59
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
60
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
61
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi·2 min·Braddock Avenue
62
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi·34 sec·Jamaica Avenue
63
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi·56 sec·Jericho Turnpike
64
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
65
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·New Hyde Park Road
66
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi·3 min·Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
67
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the right lane.
68
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
69
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi·26 sec·Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
70
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
Trip Plan
To manage the 7-hour and 9-minute duration effectively, aim for an early departure to avoid peak traffic periods that could extend your travel time. Since the route requires two planned stops, use these breaks to stretch and refuel, keeping in mind that your total fuel cost is estimated at $54. Because this is a turn-heavy route, prioritize your comfort by pacing yourself during the more technical, non-highway sections. Monitor your fuel levels closely when transitioning off the longest 98.8-mile stretch of I-81 to ensure you have consistent access to service stations. Taking advantage of the route's flexibility allows you to adjust your pace, but staying on schedule is key to completing this 332.5-mile drive within a single day.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 166.3 miles from Lincoln, NY, or about 3h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 73 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.3 miles or 3h 42m 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 48m
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 Lincoln, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lincoln, NY
This is one driving day of about 332.5 miles and 7h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Lincoln, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 98.8 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 45
5 decision points cluster between mile 40.2 and 314.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
40.2 mi into trip|~54m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
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 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
190.5 mi into trip|~4h 11m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
305.1 mi into trip|~6h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
305.4 mi into trip|~6h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
314.8 mi into trip|~6h 41m 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
$54.73 one way
$109.46 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$59.18
$118.36
premium
$4.92
$64.44
$128.89
diesel
$5.61
$73.41
$146.82
Estimated Tolls: $23.69
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(19.2 mi)$0.96
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
$55
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$103–$128
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.8
1
$34.91
$15.96
Efficient EV
83.1
0
$29.09
$13.30
EV Truck/SUV
133
1
$46.55
$21.28
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lincoln, NY
Morning
in Lincoln on Sunday
Local time
10:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Morning
in Hempstead on Sunday
Local time
10:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
15 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
7h 9m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 309.6
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
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 309.6
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 45.9
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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 309.6
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 309.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a varied experience, as only 51% of your travel takes place on major highways. You will navigate a mix of fast-paced interstate segments and more demanding local roads that require your full attention. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 98.8-mile run on I-81, which provides a brief reprieve from the more technical sections of the drive. As you transition between these road types, expect the driving environment to shift from open highway stretches to tighter, turn-heavy local routes. Be prepared for a dynamic behind-the-wheel experience that changes in intensity as you make your way toward Hempstead.
Only 51% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
70 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 40.2 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 45 significant decision points across 332.5 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 40.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 305.1 miles: 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 Lincoln, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - 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 7h 9m. Total distance: 332.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.69 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 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 40.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 305.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and General Grant National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 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.
