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Trip from Oswegatchie, NY to Hempstead, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 23m

Distance

353.6 mi

569 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$58

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
7h 13m ★
6 AM
7h 24m
8 AM
7h 45m
10 AM
7h 31m
12 PM
7h 29m
3 PM
7h 32m
5 PM
7h 43m
8 PM
7h 17m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Oswegatchie, NY, NY

Oswegatchie, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

Oswegatchie to Hempstead is 353.6 miles and takes about 7h 23m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, taking you from the Northeast region down towards the urban landscape of Hempstead. Expect a drive that involves navigating a significant portion of the New York State Thruway. Given the duration, it's a manageable one-day journey for most drivers, but be prepared for varied road conditions as you approach your destination. This route offers a straightforward path through the state, primarily utilizing major roadways.

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

176.8 miles from Oswegatchie, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 45m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 201.9 mi 3h 53m
State Highway 12 22.8 mi 31m
Bea Luck Road 19.6 mi 23m
State Route 3 19.6 mi 27m
Indian River Road 16.1 mi 19m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
Erwin Parkway 9.7 mi 11m
State Highway 812 8.7 mi 11m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Oswegatchie, NY and Hempstead, NY.

1

Start on Oswegatchie Trail

0.7 mi · 2 min · Oswegatchie Trail
2

Turn right onto Mill Road

0.1 mi · 34 sec · Mill Road
3

Continue on County Road 60

522 ft · 29 sec · County Road 60
4

Turn left onto NY 3

17 mi · 22 min · State Route 3
5

Continue on NY 3; NY 812

0.3 mi · 33 sec · State Highway 812
6

Continue on NY 3; NY 812

0.4 mi · 59 sec · State Street
7

Continue on NY 3; NY 812

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
8

Continue on NY 3; NY 812

2.9 mi · 4 min · State Route 3
9

Turn left onto NY 812

5.7 mi · 6 min · Indian River Road
10

Continue on NY 812

10 mi · 12 min · Indian River Road
11

Continue on NY 812

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
12

Continue on NY 812

8.4 mi · 10 min · State Highway 812
13

Turn left onto East State Street

1.5 mi · 3 min · East State Street
14

Continue on Ross Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Ross Road
15

Turn left onto NY 12

20 mi · 23 min · Bea Luck Road
16

Continue on NY 12

0.8 mi · 51 sec · State Highway 12
17

Continue on NY 12

9.7 mi · 11 min · Erwin Parkway
18

Continue on NY 12

22 mi · 30 min · State Highway 12
19

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
20

Merge onto NY 49

0.4 mi · 26 sec · State Route 49
21

Continue on I 790; NY 5

0.2 mi · 13 sec · I 790; NY 5
22

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
23

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90
24

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 90 East
25

Merge onto I 90

84 mi · 1 hr 36 min · New York State Thruway
26

Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway

118 mi · 2 hr 16 min · New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston Use the slight right lane.
27

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17

0.9 mi · 59 sec · NY 17
Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey Use the slight right lane.
28

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
29

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17

14 mi · 18 min · NJ 17
Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah Use the slight left / straight lanes.
30

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
31

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
32

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4
Use the right lane.
33

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
35

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
37

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
39

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 295

2.0 mi · 2 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6B Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
41

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
42

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44

Turn left onto NY 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
45

Turn right onto NY 25

1.1 mi · 2 min · Braddock Avenue
46

Turn left onto NY 25

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Jamaica Avenue
47

Continue on NY 25

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Jericho Turnpike
48

Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue

2.0 mi · 3 min · Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
49

Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road

0.4 mi · 56 sec · New Hyde Park Road
50

Turn left onto NY 24

2.0 mi · 3 min · Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
51

Turn slight right onto NY 102

0.8 mi · 1 min · Front Street
Use the right lane.
52

Turn right onto Greenwich Street

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
53

Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
54

Arrive at destination

Peninsula Boulevard

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7h 23m drive, consider an early morning departure from Oswegatchie to maximize daylight. With only 2 recommended stops, plan them strategically for fuel and a break, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from the longer highway stretches to the more localized roads. The 28% highway share means you'll encounter varying speed limits and traffic patterns, so staying alert is key. Given the drive can be completed in a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as needed.

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 176.8 miles from Oswegatchie, NY, or about 3h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.9 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 78 miles or 1h 44m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 176.8 miles or 3h 45m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h

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 Oswegatchie, 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 Oswegatchie, NY

This is one driving day of about 353.6 miles and 7h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Oswegatchie, 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 New York State Thruway for about 201.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Albany, NY

177 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Whitesboro, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Schenectady, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 176.8 miles from Oswegatchie, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 201.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 30

5 decision points cluster between mile 187.3 and 335.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
187.3 mi into trip | ~3h 57m in | New York State Thruway

Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
9
305.4 mi into trip | ~6h 13m 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
306.8 mi into trip | ~6h 15m 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
6
321 mi into trip | ~6h 34m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
8
335.9 mi into trip | ~6h 55m 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

$58.20 one way

$116.41 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 124 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $62.94 $125.88
premium $4.92 $68.53 $137.07
diesel $5.61 $78.07 $156.14

Estimated Tolls: $32.82

George Washington Bridge $16.00
New York State Thruway (201.9 mi) $10.09
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

$58

Tolls

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$116–$141

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 123.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 106.1 1 $37.13 $16.97
Efficient EV 88.4 1 $30.94 $14.14
EV Truck/SUV 141.4 1 $49.50 $22.63

Gas CO2

124 kg

EV CO2

41 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 16, 2026

Origin

Oswegatchie, NY

Morning in Oswegatchie on Sunday

Local time

10:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

36°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hempstead, NY

Morning in Hempstead on Sunday

Local time

10:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

83°F

Partly Sunny

S 12 mph 2% chance 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

47 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 23m 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.

General Grant National Memorial

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 329.2
View on nps.gov
Hamilton Grange National Memorial

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...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 329.2
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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 329.2
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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 329.2
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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 329.2
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

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 329.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' despite a 28% highway share. You'll experience a mix of faster highway travel and more winding local roads, particularly as you get closer to your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 201.9 miles on the New York State Thruway, offering a period of consistent travel. However, be ready for frequent turns and changes in speed and road type throughout the journey, especially on roads like Bea Luck Road. This profile suggests a drive that requires active engagement rather than passive cruising.

Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
54 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 201.9 mi on New York State Thruway.

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 187.3 miles in near New York State Thruway.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 353.6 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 187.3 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 305.4 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 306.8 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Oswegatchie, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South, Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.

Genesee Street South

102.3 mi in | ~2h 18m

Boston

187.3 mi in | ~3h 57m | via New York State Thruway

Gsp South: Paterson

320.9 mi in | ~6h 34m

Fort Lee

320.9 mi in | ~6h 34m

New York

320.9 mi in | ~6h 34m

About the Cities

Starting in Oswegatchie, NY

Full guide →

Arriving in Hempstead, NY

Full guide →

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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 23m. Total distance: 353.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 23m 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 201.9 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $32.82 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 187.3 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 305.4 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 306.8 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.8 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.

How this page is built

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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Explore More

Return Trip

Hempstead, NY to Oswegatchie, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

346.8 mi 7h 21m

Explore more options from Oswegatchie, NY or browse trips ending in Hempstead, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.