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Trip from Rome, 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

6h 17m

Distance

302 mi

486 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

17 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 5m ★
6 AM
6h 18m
8 AM
6h 43m
10 AM
6h 27m
12 PM
6h 24m
3 PM
6h 28m
5 PM
6h 42m
8 PM
6h 10m

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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city in Oneida County, New York, United States

Rome, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 302-mile drive from Rome, NY, to Hempstead, NY, is designed as a single-day adventure, estimated to take around 6 hours and 17 minutes. The route primarily utilizes Interstate 87, also known as the Adirondack Northway, and State Highway 9N, with a significant 62% of the journey on highways. You can expect a fuel cost of approximately $50 for this trip. Given the duration and distance, it's a manageable day trip for most travelers, but consider an early start to allow for a comfortable pace. This journey keeps you within the Northeast region, specifically within New York State.

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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

151 miles from Rome, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 87 118.6 mi 2h 17m
Adirondack Northway 103.7 mi 2h 1m
State Highway 9N 17.1 mi 26m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
State Highway 73 11.5 mi 16m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Cross Bronx Expressway 6.6 mi 8m
Clearview Expressway 5 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 87 — 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Ausable Drive

0.4 mi · 1 min · Ausable Drive
2

Turn right onto College Street

506 ft · 22 sec · College Street
3

Turn right onto NY 9N

17 mi · 26 min · State Highway 9N
4

Continue on NY 73

11 mi · 16 min · State Highway 73
5

Turn straight onto US 9

2.1 mi · 2 min · US 9
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 87 South
7

Merge onto I 87

104 mi · 2 hr 1 min · Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87

0.3 mi · 31 sec · I 87
Exit 1E-W Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo Use the slight right lane.
9

Continue on I 87

0.5 mi · 51 sec · I 87
Exit 1W Toward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87

118 mi · 2 hr 16 min · I 87
Toward I 87 South: New York Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

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.
12

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
13

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.
14

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
16

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4
Use the right lane.
17

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
21

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
23

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

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.
25

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
26

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Turn left onto NY 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
29

Turn right onto NY 25

1.1 mi · 2 min · Braddock Avenue
30

Turn left onto NY 25

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Jamaica Avenue
31

Continue on NY 25

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Jericho Turnpike
32

Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue

2.0 mi · 3 min · Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
33

Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road

0.4 mi · 56 sec · New Hyde Park Road
34

Turn left onto NY 24

2.0 mi · 3 min · Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
35

Turn slight right onto NY 102

0.8 mi · 1 min · Front Street
Use the right lane.
36

Turn right onto Greenwich Street

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
37

Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38

Arrive at destination

Peninsula Boulevard

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour, 17-minute journey, departing early in the morning is your best bet, especially if you aim to complete it in one day. With only one recommended stop, planning your break strategically along the 302-mile route is key; consider the longest stretch of 118.6 miles on I-87 as a good indicator for when you might want to pull over. The estimated fuel cost of $50 is helpful for budgeting. A practical tip for this route is to be mindful of potential traffic as you approach the Hempstead area, particularly if traveling during peak hours.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 151 miles from Rome, NY, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 66 miles or 1h 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 151 miles or 3h 8m 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

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 Rome, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Rome, NY

This is one driving day of about 302 miles and 6h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Rome, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break 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.

city in New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Poughkeepsie, NY

151 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.

Popular next leg

Poughkeepsie, NY to Hempstead, NY

87.2 mi · 2h 9m

Pacing Suggestions

Kingsbury, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Albany, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 151 miles from Rome, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.6 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

Barnwood Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Catskill, New York

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 172.6

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15189432200

Visit website

Gracie's Luncheonette

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Leeds, New York

1.8 mi

Piccolo Trattoria

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Leeds, New York

1.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 280.4

+19172614093

Barnwood Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 172.6

Catskill, New York

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15189432200

Visit website

Gracie's Luncheonette

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 172.6

Leeds, New York

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+15189439363

Visit website

Piccolo Trattoria

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 172.6

Leeds, New York

Hours: 4–9 pm

+15187193430

Visit website

Sara's Kitchen

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv mile 107.9

Saratoga Springs, New York

Hours: 12–3 pm

+15183164456

Visit website

Park Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 280.4

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15167490697

Crabtree's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately mile 302

Floral Park, New York

Hours: 12–10 pm

+15163267769

Visit website

Effy's Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 280.4

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+12122806200

Visit website

Paola's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $50 to $10 mile 280.4

New York, New York

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12127941890

Visit website

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 280.4

New York, New York

+19172614093

Cafe Amrita

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 280.4

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+12122220683

Visit website

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 280.4

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12015675111

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 237.3

Central Valley, New York

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 237.3

Central Valley, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887800062

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 237.3

Central Valley, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 237.3

Harriman, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 258.9

Mahwah, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 237.3

Monroe, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charge Point

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 280.4

New York, New York

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 280.4

New York, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Claremont Park

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 280.4

Bronx, NY

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

Roberto Clemente State Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 280.4

Bronx, New York

Hours: 8:30 am–8:30 pm

+17182998750

Visit website

The Bronx Museum of the Arts

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 280.4

Bronx, New York

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+17186816000

Visit website

Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 280.4

Bronx, New York

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

Yankee Stadium

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 280.4

Bronx, New York

+12129265337

Visit website

Bennett Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 280.4

New York, NY

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

Fort Tryon Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 280.4

New York, New York

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12127951388

Visit website

J. Hood Wright Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 280.4

New York, NY

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12126399675

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 135.3 and 284.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
135.3 mi into trip | ~2h 50m 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
136.1 mi into trip | ~2h 51m 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
253.8 mi into trip | ~5h 7m 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
255.2 mi into trip | ~5h 9m 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
284.3 mi into trip | ~5h 49m 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

$49.71 one way

$99.42 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 106 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $53.75 $107.51
premium $4.92 $58.53 $117.07
diesel $5.61 $66.68 $133.36

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

$50

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$97–$122

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 105.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

17 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Queensbury, NY

Queensbury, NY

RIVIAN_ADVENTURE

10 DCFC

EVolve NY North Hudson

North Hudson, NY

Electrify America

8 DCFC

Frontier Town Gateway - Tesla Supercharger

North Hudson, NY

Tesla

8 DCFC

ChargeSmart EV - Queensbury

Queensbury, NY

CHARGESMART_EV

8 DCFC

Aviation Mall - Tesla Supercharger

Queensbury, NY

Tesla

8 DCFC

Stewart's Shops - Tesla Supercharger

Chestertown, NY

Tesla

6 DCFC

Warren Ford

Warrensburg, NY

FORD_CHARGE

2 DCFC

Garvey VW Dealership (Queensbury, NY)

Queensbury, NY

Electrify America

2 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 8 Tesla: 3 Electrify America: 2 FORD_CHARGE: 1 CHARGESMART_EV: 1 RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1 Non-Networked: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 90.6 1 $31.71 $14.50
Efficient EV 75.5 0 $26.42 $12.08
EV Truck/SUV 120.8 1 $42.28 $19.33

Gas CO2

106 kg

EV CO2

35 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

Rome, NY

Morning in Rome on Sunday

Local time

8:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

37°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hempstead, NY

Morning in Hempstead on Sunday

Local time

8:10 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

46 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

6h 17m 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...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 281.2
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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 281.2
View on nps.gov
Saratoga National Historical Park

Saratoga National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 114.6
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 ~23 min detour Free near mile 281.2
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...

11 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 281.2
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...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free near mile 281.2
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This is a highway-focused drive, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster-paced roads. With 62% of the route on highways, expect stretches that allow for consistent speed. The longest uninterrupted segment is a substantial 118.6 miles along I-87. While the primary focus is on efficient travel via the interstate system, the inclusion of State Highway 9N may introduce some changes in scenery and pace as you transition. It's a route built for covering ground effectively.

62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 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 135.3 miles in near I 87.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 24 significant decision points across 302 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 135.3 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.1 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 253.8 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 Rome, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Gsp South: Paterson and Fort Lee.

Albany

135.3 mi in | ~2h 50m | via I 87

New York

135.3 mi in | ~2h 50m | via I 87

Buffalo

135.3 mi in | ~2h 50m | via I 87

Gsp South: Paterson

269.3 mi in | ~5h 28m

Fort Lee

269.3 mi in | ~5h 28m

About the Cities

Starting in Rome, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1870

Rome is a city of 32,000 people (2020) in Central New York State, not far from Utica.

Top landmarks

  • • Fort Stanwix National Monument — NY location listed on National Register of Historic Places

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 6h 17m. Total distance: 302 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 118.6 miles on I 87. 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 135.3 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.1 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 253.8 miles (NY 17): 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 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 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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