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Trip from Rochester, 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 10m

Distance

338.3 mi

544 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$56

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
7h 0m ★
6 AM
7h 11m
8 AM
7h 33m
10 AM
7h 18m
12 PM
7h 16m
3 PM
7h 19m
5 PM
7h 31m
8 PM
7h 4m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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county seat of Monroe County, New York, United States

Rochester, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 338.3-mile drive from Rochester, NY, to Hempstead, NY, is a substantial journey that can be completed in about 7 hours and 10 minutes of driving time. While it's possible to do in a single day, consider if you'd prefer a more relaxed pace with an overnight stop. You'll be navigating a mix of major roadways including I 81, the Keystone Shortway, and the New York State Thruway. With an estimated fuel cost of $56, this trip through the Northeast is manageable. The route involves a good number of turns, suggesting a more engaging driving experience than a pure interstate cruise.

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

169.1 miles from Rochester, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 98.8 mi 1h 57m
Keystone Shortway 80 mi 1h 37m
New York State Thruway 30 mi 34m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
I 490 14.9 mi 19m
East Lake Road 9.9 mi 14m
State Highway 41 9.8 mi 13m
Clark Street Road 9.6 mi 11m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South Plymouth Avenue

0.2 mi · 34 sec · South Plymouth Avenue
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 490 East
3

Merge onto I 490

15 mi · 19 min · I 490
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
5

Merge onto I 90

30 mi · 34 min · New York State Thruway
6

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 58 sec
Exit 41 Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde Use the slight right lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork

327 ft · 7 sec
8

Continue on NY 414

0.3 mi · 35 sec · State Route 414
9

Turn left onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318
Use the left lane.
10

At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
11

Continue on US 20; NY 5

9.6 mi · 11 min · Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
12

Turn right onto State Street

226 ft · 12 sec · State Street
13

Turn left onto Dill Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Dill Street
14

Continue on Loop Road

458 ft · 16 sec · Loop Road
15

Turn left onto Genesee Street

5.5 mi · 9 min · Genesee Street
16

Continue on US 20

2.2 mi · 4 min · West Genesee Street Road
17

Turn right onto NY 41

0.5 mi · 45 sec · East Lake Street
18

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road
19

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
20

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road
21

Continue on NY 41

9.8 mi · 13 min · State Highway 41
22

Turn right onto NY 281

1.2 mi · 2 min · North West Street
23

Take the ramp

0.7 mi · 1 min
Use the left lane.
24

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
25

Merge onto I 81

45 mi · 54 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.
27

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 6
Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
28

Continue on I 84; I 380

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford Use the straight lane.
29

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
30

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
31

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
32

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 5 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level Use the slight right lane.
33

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.
35

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue
37

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
38

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
39

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
40

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
42

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
44

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
46

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47

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.
48

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
49

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51

Turn left onto NY 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
52

Turn right onto NY 25

1.1 mi · 2 min · Braddock Avenue
53

Turn left onto NY 25

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Jamaica Avenue
54

Continue on NY 25

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Jericho Turnpike
55

Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue

2.0 mi · 3 min · Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
56

Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road

0.4 mi · 56 sec · New Hyde Park Road
57

Turn left onto NY 24

2.0 mi · 3 min · Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
58

Turn slight right onto NY 102

0.8 mi · 1 min · Front Street
Use the right lane.
59

Turn right onto Greenwich Street

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
60

Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
61

Arrive at destination

Peninsula Boulevard

Trip Plan

Given the 7-hour, 10-minute estimated drive time, departing early from Rochester, NY, will allow you ample daylight to reach Hempstead, NY. Plan for at least two stops to break up the 338.3 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 98.8-mile stretch on I 81, as service areas might be spaced out. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests being prepared for more frequent adjustments to your route and speed compared to a pure interstate journey.

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 169.1 miles from Rochester, NY, or about 3h 39m 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 74 miles or 1h 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 169.1 miles or 3h 39m 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 49m

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 Rochester, 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 Rochester, NY

This is one driving day of about 338.3 miles and 7h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Rochester, 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.

town in Broome County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vestal, NY

169 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

Auburn, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vestal, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 169.1 miles from Rochester, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.8 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Bosphorus Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 289.9

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+19733359690

Visit website

Rumba Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Leonia, New Jersey

1.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 314.1

+19172614093

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Englewood, New Jersey

2.6 mi

Bosphorus Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 289.9

Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+19733359690

Visit website

Rumba Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 314.1

Leonia, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12013630008

Mocha Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 314.1

Bronx, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13472027123

Visit website

Park Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 314.1

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15167490697

An Beal Bocht Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 314.1

Bronx, New York

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+17188847127

Visit website

Fasil Mediterranean Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 289.9

Boonton, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19739173334

Visit website

Effy's Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 314.1

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+12122806200

Visit website

Triplets Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 241.6

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+15704216566

Visit website

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 314.1

New York, New York

+19172614093

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 314.1

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12015675111

Visit website

Cafe Amrita

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 314.1

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+12122220683

Visit website

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 314.1

South Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12014265898

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 314.1

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

IONNA Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 193.3

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18334662474

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 193.3

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 48.3

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 48.3

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 48.3

Waterloo, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 193.3

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 145

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 193.3

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Fort Lee Historic Park, Palisades Interstate Park Commission

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 314.1

Fort Lee, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–4:45 pm

+12014611776

Visit website

Ross Dock Picnic Area

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 314.1

Fort Lee, New Jersey

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+12017681360

Visit website

The Strong National Museum of Play

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Rochester, New York

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15852632700

Visit website

Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Park at Manhattan Square

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Rochester, New York

Hours: 12–8:50 pm

+15854286755

Visit website

CNY Living History Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 96.6

Cortland, New York

Hours: Closed

+16072994185

Visit website

J. Hood Wright Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 314.1

New York, NY

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

Bennett Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 314.1

New York, NY

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

Firemen's Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 314.1

Fort Lee, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12015923750

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 41

5 decision points cluster between mile 46 and 320.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
46 mi into trip | ~55m 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
196.3 mi into trip | ~4h 12m 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
310.8 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
311.1 mi into trip | ~6h 28m 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
320.5 mi into trip | ~6h 42m 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

$55.69 one way

$111.37 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 118 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $60.21 $120.43
premium $4.92 $65.57 $131.14
diesel $5.61 $74.69 $149.38

Estimated Tolls: $24.23

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55
New York State Thruway (30 mi) $1.50
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

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$105–$130

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 118.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 101.5 1 $35.52 $16.24
Efficient EV 84.6 0 $29.60 $13.53
EV Truck/SUV 135.3 1 $47.36 $21.65

Gas CO2

118 kg

EV CO2

40 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

Rochester, NY

Late night in Rochester on Sunday

Local time

12:17 AM

EDT

Current temp

38°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hempstead, NY

Late night in Hempstead on Sunday

Local time

12:17 AM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Partly Cloudy

NE 5 to 8 mph 6% 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

14 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 10m 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

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 314.9
View on nps.gov
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 314.9
View on nps.gov
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 58.3
View on nps.gov
Women's Rights National Historical Park

Women's Rights National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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 ~10 min detour Free near mile 46.7
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 314.9
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 314.9
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile for this 338.3-mile trip. While 52% of the journey is on highways, the overall character leans towards more dynamic navigation. You'll encounter stretches like the 98.8-mile segment on I 81, which offers a taste of uninterrupted highway travel. However, the route also incorporates the Keystone Shortway and the New York State Thruway, interspersed with local roads that will require your attention and add variety to the driving experience.

Only 52% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
61 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 46 miles in.

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 41 significant decision points across 338.3 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 46 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 196.3 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 310.8 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 Rochester, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.

Clyde

46 mi in | ~55m

Mt Pocono

196.3 mi in | ~4h 12m | via US 6

Milford

197 mi in | ~4h 13m | via I 84; I 380

New York City

310.8 mi in | ~6h 27m

Leonia

311.1 mi in | ~6h 28m

Teaneck

311.1 mi in | ~6h 28m

George Washington Bridge Upper Level

313.3 mi in | ~6h 32m

About the Cities

Starting in Rochester, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1834

Big-city culture and small-city charm combine in Rochester, a mid-sized city on the shore of Lake Ontario. The birthplace of amateur photography, Rochester was synonymous with Eastman Kodak for much of the 20th century, but the city's fame was established well before George Eastman came on the scene. Today, its historical treasures complement modern family-friendly attractions that rival those found in much larger communities. In Rochester, you can find the only museum in the world dedicated to play; award-winning music, dance, and acting ensembles; a dense festival calendar covering nearly every weekend of the year; minor-league sports of the highest caliber; and a trio of majestic waterfalls right in the middle of the city. The gateway to the scenic and culinary delights of New York's Finger Lakes region, Rochester is the perfect place to begin your exploration of Western New York.

Top landmarks

  • • George Eastman Museum — film and photography museum and archive in Rochester, New York, United States
  • • Memorial Art Gallery — art museum operated by the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York, Unite...
  • • The National Museum of Play — national museum dedicated to toys and play located in Rochester, New York, Unite...

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 10m. Total distance: 338.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 10m 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 $24.23 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 46 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 196.3 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 310.8 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 Harriet Tubman 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 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 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.

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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