Ontario, NY to Hempstead, NY is 337.4 miles and takes about 7h 4m via I 81, Keystone Shortway, and NY 104, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, both starting and ending in New York State. It's a predominantly highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward, one-day journey. You'll find it's a practical option when you need to cover ground efficiently between these two points. Consider this route if your priority is reaching your destination with minimal fuss.
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
168.7 miles from Ontario, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
128.7 mi
2h 32m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
NY 104
26.8 mi
37m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
I 690
8.7 mi
10m
State Highway 370
7.9 mi
10m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
NY 31
5.9 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 128.7 mi, about 2h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ontario, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on CR 103
91 ft·5 sec·Ridge Road
2
Turn right onto CR 110
0.4 mi·1 min·Furnace Road
3
Turn right onto NY 104
27 mi·37 min·NY 104
4
Turn right onto CR 163
2.2 mi·2 min·Ridge Road
5
Turn slight right onto NY 370
2.1 mi·2 min·State Route 370
6
Continue on NY 370
7.9 mi·10 min·State Highway 370
7
Continue on NY 370
3.6 mi·7 min·West Main Street
8
Continue on NY 370
1.7 mi·2 min·State Route 370
9
Continue on NY 370
0.7 mi·53 sec·Main Street
10
Continue on NY 370
5.7 mi·8 min·West Genesee Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Take the exit onto NY 31
5.9 mi·7 min·NY 31
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on I 690
8.7 mi·10 min·I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 81 South: BinghamtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 81
2.8 mi·4 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I-81
0.8 mi·48 sec·I-81
16
Continue on I 81
73 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
18
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.
19
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.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
21
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
22
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
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.
24
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.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
28
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
30
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
31
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
33
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
35
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
37
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
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.
39
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
40
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
43
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi·2 min·Braddock Avenue
44
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi·34 sec·Jamaica Avenue
45
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi·56 sec·Jericho Turnpike
46
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
47
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·New Hyde Park Road
48
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi·3 min·Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
49
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the right lane.
50
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
51
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi·26 sec·Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given this is a manageable one-day trip of just over 7 hours, leaving in the morning should allow ample time to reach Hempstead before evening. With only 2 recommended stops, plan them strategically for fuel and a break, perhaps around the halfway mark or where services are readily available. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I 81, where services might be further apart. The $56 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to have a little extra budgeted. Aim to depart Ontario with a full tank to maximize your driving time.
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 168.7 miles from Ontario, NY, or about 3h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.7 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 74 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.7 miles or 3h 34m 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 43m
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 Ontario, 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 Ontario, NY
This is one driving day of about 337.4 miles and 7h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Ontario, 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 128.7 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 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 51.2 and 319.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
51.2 mi into trip|~1h 13m in|NY 31
Take the exit onto NY 31
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
195.4 mi into trip|~4h 6m 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
310 mi into trip|~6h 22m 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
310.2 mi into trip|~6h 22m 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
319.7 mi into trip|~6h 36m 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
$55.54 one way
$111.08 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$60.05
$120.11
premium
$4.92
$65.39
$130.79
diesel
$5.61
$74.49
$148.99
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
$56
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$103–$128
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.2
1
$35.43
$16.20
Efficient EV
84.4
0
$29.52
$13.50
EV Truck/SUV
135
1
$47.24
$21.59
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Ontario, NY
Late night
in Ontario on Tuesday
Local time
5:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Late night
in Hempstead on Tuesday
Local time
5:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Ramapo, NY
169 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
3 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
7h 4m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 314.1
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 314.1
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...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 314.1
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 314.1
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 314.1
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 314.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is largely defined by its highway segments, with 67% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 128.7 miles on I 81, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of the journey. While the Keystone Shortway and NY 104 are also part of the main roads, the overall profile leans heavily towards a highway-focused experience. Expect straightforward driving with fewer complex intersections or winding local roads. It's the kind of drive where you can settle in and cover distance steadily.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
52 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.7 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 51.2 miles in near NY 31.
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 31 significant decision points across 337.4 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 51.2 miles (NY 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 310 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 Ontario, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.
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 4m. Total distance: 337.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.7 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 51.2 miles (NY 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 310 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant 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 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 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.
