Louisville, NY to Hempstead, NY is 375.1 miles and takes about 8h 21m via I 87, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, taking you from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It's primarily a highway-focused drive, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B. While it's possible to complete in a single day, you might find it more enjoyable to break it up over two days, especially if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward journey with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
187.6 miles from Louisville, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 87
118.6 mi
2h 17m
Adirondack Northway
77 mi
1h 30m
State Highway 56
38 mi
55m
State Highway 28N
30.3 mi
43m
Adirondack Trail
19.3 mi
27m
State Route 3
14.8 mi
20m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 87
— 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Louisville, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on Louisville-Raymondville Road
3.8 mi·13 min·Louisville-Raymondville Road
2
Turn left onto NY 310
318 ft·9 sec·State Highway 310
3
Turn right onto NY 56
3.0 mi·3 min·State Highway 56
4
Continue on NY 56
4.8 mi·5 min·North Main Street
5
Continue on NY 56
3.6 mi·4 min·State Highway 56
6
Continue on NY 56
1.1 mi·3 min·Market Street
7
Turn left onto US 11
0.2 mi·39 sec·Elm Street
8
Turn right onto Park Street
248 ft·7 sec·Park Street
9
Keep slight left at fork onto Park Street
198 ft·7 sec·Park Street
10
Continue on NY 56
1.0 mi·2 min·Pierrepont Avenue
11
Continue on NY 56
31 mi·47 min·State Highway 56
12
At end of road, turn left onto NY 3
15 mi·20 min·State Route 3
13
Continue on NY 3
1.0 mi·2 min·Main Street
14
Continue on NY 3
1.2 mi·2 min·Demars Boulevard
15
Continue on NY 3
0.1 mi·30 sec·Lake Street
16
Turn left onto NY 3
282 ft·12 sec·Mill Street
17
Turn right onto NY 30
0.2 mi·33 sec·East Park Street
18
Turn left onto NY 30
1.9 mi·3 min·Wawbeek Avenue
19
Continue on NY 30
0.8 mi·1 min·Adirondack Trail
20
Continue on NY 30
0.5 mi·46 sec·Moody Road
21
Continue on NY 30
18 mi·25 min·Adirondack Trail
22
Continue on NY 30
0.3 mi·42 sec·Lake Street
23
Continue on NY 30
0.4 mi·58 sec·Adirondack Trail
24
At end of road, turn left onto NY 28N
0.7 mi·1 min·State Highway 28N
25
Continue on NY 28N
2.5 mi·3 min·Newcomb Road
26
Continue on NY 28N
30 mi·41 min·State Highway 28N
27
Turn slight left onto CR 30
2.8 mi·4 min·A P Morse Highway
28
Keep slight left at fork onto Donnelly Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Donnelly Road
29
Continue on CR 29
1.2 mi·1 min·County Highway 29
30
Continue on CR 19
4.8 mi·7 min·Olmstedville Road
31
Turn straight onto US 9
0.2 mi·38 sec·US 9
32
Turn left onto Valley Farm Road
0.3 mi·33 sec·Valley Farm Road
33
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
34
Merge onto I 87
77 mi·1 hr 30 min·Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
0.3 mi·31 sec·I 87
Exit 1E-WToward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, BuffaloUse the slight right lane.
36
Continue on I 87
0.5 mi·51 sec·I 87
Exit 1WToward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
37
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 87
Toward I 87 South: New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
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.
39
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
40
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.
41
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
42
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
43
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
44
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
46
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
48
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
50
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
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.
52
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
53
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
54
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
56
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi·2 min·Braddock Avenue
57
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi·34 sec·Jamaica Avenue
58
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi·56 sec·Jericho Turnpike
59
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
60
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·New Hyde Park Road
61
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi·3 min·Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
62
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the right lane.
63
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
64
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi·26 sec·Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
65
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
Trip Plan
With an estimated duration of 8 hours and 21 minutes, this trip is best split over two days to avoid fatigue. Plan for around 2 stops to break up the 375.1 miles. Leaving early in the morning will give you ample time to reach your first overnight stop comfortably. Given the longest stretch on I 87 is over 100 miles, ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. The fuel cost is estimated at $62, so budget accordingly for gas along the way.
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 drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187.6 miles from Louisville, NY, or about 4h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 83 miles or 2h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.6 miles or 4h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 187.6 miles or 4h 28m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 57m
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 Louisville, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Louisville, NY
Aim for roughly 188 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Hempstead, NY
Aim for roughly 188 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Louisville, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 87 for about 118.6 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 35
5 decision points cluster between mile 208.4 and 357.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
208.4 mi into trip|~4h 53m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1E-W
Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
7
209.2 mi into trip|~4h 54m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 87 South: New York
9
327 mi into trip|~7h 11m 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
328.3 mi into trip|~7h 12m 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
357.4 mi into trip|~7h 53m 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
$61.74 one way
$123.49 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg131 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$66.76
$133.53
premium
$4.92
$72.70
$145.40
diesel
$5.61
$82.82
$165.63
Estimated Tolls: $22.73
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
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
$62
Tolls
$23
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$214–$324
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.5
1
$39.39
$18.00
Efficient EV
93.8
1
$32.82
$15.00
EV Truck/SUV
150
1
$52.51
$24.01
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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 18, 2026
Origin
Louisville, NY
Night
in Louisville on Saturday
Local time
10:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Night
in Hempstead on Saturday
Local time
10:51 PM
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
8h 21m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 349.3
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 349.3
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 181.1
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
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 349.3
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 349.3
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
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 349.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway experience, with 65% of the journey on major roads like I 87 and the Adirondack Northway. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 118.6 miles on I 87, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While State Highway 56 offers a change of pace, the overall profile is highway-focused, meaning you'll likely experience a steady, efficient drive. Expect a consistent feel for much of the trip, punctuated by the open road of the interstate.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
65 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.6 mi on I 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 87 and Adirondack Northway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 208.4 miles in near I 87.
Driving Effort9/10
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 35 significant decision points across 375.1 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 208.4 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.2 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 327 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 Louisville, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Gsp South: Paterson and Fort Lee.
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
The longest stretch is about 118.6 miles on I 87. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 188 miles on day one.
Expect about $22.73 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 208.4 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.2 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 327 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 Saratoga National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.4 hours each way, a round trip means 16.7 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.
