Origin
Albany, NY
Late night in Albany on Friday
Local time
4:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Albany, NY to Hempstead, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
162.6 mi
262 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 13m
★
6 AM
3h 25m
8 AM
3h 49m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 31m
3 PM
3h 35m
5 PM
3h 48m
8 PM
3h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
The drive from Albany, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 162.6 miles and takes about 3h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New York State Thruway, NJ 17, NJ 4 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 111.2 miles on New York State Thruway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.76 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
81.3 miles from Albany, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 162.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 24m drive with frequent turns across 162.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 39 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New York State Thruway is the longest continuous segment at about 111.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 2.7 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 26 significant decision points across 162.6 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 2.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.4 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.8 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turn...
9
114.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m 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
115.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m 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
130 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m 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
144.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Albany, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Gsp South: Paterson
129.8 mi in
|
~2h 35m
Fort Lee
129.8 mi in
|
~2h 35m
New York
129.8 mi in
|
~2h 35m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 111.2 mi | 2h 8m |
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Clearview Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| Tulip Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
| Throgs Neck Bridge | 2 mi | 3m |
| Hempstead Turnpike | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 111.2 mi, about 2h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on this road
30 ft
·
4 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto NY 5
352 ft
·
10 sec
·
Washington Avenue
3
Turn left onto Eagle Street
156 ft
·
4 sec
·
Eagle Street
4
Turn slight right onto Pine Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Pine Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto Broadway
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Broadway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto Broadway
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Broadway
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 787 South
8
Merge onto I 787
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 787
9
Continue on I 787
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 787
Exit 1
Toward I 87 Toll: New York State Thruway
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1
11
Merge onto I 87
111 mi
·
2 hr 8 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
14
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.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
17
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
NJ 4
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
22
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
24
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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.
26
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
27
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
30
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Braddock Avenue
31
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Jamaica Avenue
32
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Jericho Turnpike
33
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
34
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
New Hyde Park Road
35
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
36
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
Use the right lane.
37
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
38
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 81.3 miles from Albany, NY, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.2 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 36 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.3 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 40m
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 Albany, 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 Albany, NY
This is one driving day of about 162.6 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Albany, 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 New York State Thruway for about 111.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81.3 mi from Albany, NY · 1h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.3 miles from Albany, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.2 miles.
Arriving in Hempstead, NY
The final approach into Hempstead, NY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Hempstead, NY.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.76 one way
$53.53 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $28.94 | $57.88 |
| premium | $4.92 | $31.51 | $63.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.90 | $71.80 |
Estimated Tolls: $28.29
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(111.2 mi)
$5.56
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
$27
Tolls
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.07 | $7.80 |
| Efficient EV | 40.7 | 0 | $14.23 | $6.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65 | 0 | $22.76 | $10.41 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Late night in Hempstead on Friday
Local time
4:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 6 to 12 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
81 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
49 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
3h 24m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Albany, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 162.6 miles and takes about 3h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, NJ 17, NJ 4. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 81.3 miles from Albany, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.76 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 162.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.4 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.8 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Albany, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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