Trip from Almond, NY to Hempstead, NY

Drive Time

6h 30m

Distance

321.6 mi

518 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
6h 19m ★
6 AM
6h 31m
8 AM
6h 55m
10 AM
6h 40m
12 PM
6h 37m
3 PM
6h 41m
5 PM
6h 54m
8 PM
6h 24m

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

Downtown Almond, NY, NY

Almond, NY

Marek Kupiec

Trip Overview

Traveling from Almond to Hempstead covers 321.6 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 30 minutes of driving time. Because this journey stays within the Northeast region, you can comfortably complete the trip in a single day if you start early. You should budget approximately $52 for fuel, though actual costs will vary based on your vehicle's efficiency. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares like the Southern Tier Expressway, the Keystone Shortway, and I-81. While it is certainly feasible to do this drive in one go, you should plan for at least one stop to break up the time behind the wheel.

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

160.8 miles from Almond, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 9m into the drive .

Drive Character

This 321.6-mile trek is a highway-focused drive, with 70% of your time spent on major interstates. You will face your longest uninterrupted stretch early on, covering 125.6 miles along the Southern Tier Expressway. Expect a consistent pace as you transition between the Southern Tier Expressway, the Keystone Shortway, and I-81. The experience is primarily an interstate grind designed for efficiency rather than winding backroads. Prepare yourself for a steady, high-speed drive that keeps you moving toward your destination without the frequent stop-and-go patterns of local surface streets.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southern Tier Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 125.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 126.3 miles in near I 81.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 321.6 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 126.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 179.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 294.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 29 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
126.3 mi into trip | ~2h 28m in | I 81

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
179.7 mi into trip | ~3h 32m 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
294.2 mi into trip | ~5h 48m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
294.5 mi into trip | ~5h 48m 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
303.9 mi into trip | ~6h 2m 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 / none lanes. Exit 6B Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge

Towns Along This Route

Between Almond, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.

Mt Pocono

179.7 mi in | ~3h 32m | via US 6

Milford

180.4 mi in | ~3h 33m | via I 84; I 380

New York City

294.2 mi in | ~5h 48m

Leonia

294.5 mi in | ~5h 48m

Teaneck

294.5 mi in | ~5h 48m

George Washington Bridge Upper Level

296.7 mi in | ~5h 52m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Southern Tier Expressway 125.6 mi 2h 26m
Keystone Shortway 80 mi 1h 37m
I 81 53.4 mi 1h 3m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
Cross Bronx Expressway 6.6 mi 8m
Christopher Columbus Highway 5.5 mi 5m
Clearview Expressway 5 mi 5m
I 84 3.7 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Southern Tier Expressway — 125.6 mi, about 2h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Chapel Street

0.2 mi · 58 sec · Chapel Street
2

At end of road, turn left onto CR 2

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Karrdale Street
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
4

Merge onto I 86; NY 17

126 mi · 2 hr 26 min · Southern Tier Expressway
Use the none lane.
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the none lane.
6

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.
7

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.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
9

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
10

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
11

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.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.
14

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue
16

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road
Use the none lane.
17

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
18

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
19

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
21

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
23

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
24

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Use the none lane.
25

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
26

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 / none lanes.
27

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the none lane.
28

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
29

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
30

Turn left onto NY 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
31

Turn right onto NY 25

1.1 mi · 2 min · Braddock Avenue
Use the none lane.
32

Turn left onto NY 25

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Jamaica Avenue
Use the none lane.
33

Continue on NY 25

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Jericho Turnpike
Use the none lane.
34

Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue

2.0 mi · 3 min · Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
35

Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road

0.4 mi · 56 sec · New Hyde Park Road
36

Turn left onto NY 24

2.0 mi · 3 min · Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
37

Turn slight right onto NY 102

0.8 mi · 1 min · Front Street
Use the right lane.
38

Turn right onto Greenwich Street

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
39

Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Peninsula Boulevard
Use the none lane.
40

Arrive at destination

Peninsula Boulevard

Trip Plan

To keep your 6 hour and 30 minute drive manageable, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion. Since the route requires a significant amount of highway travel, try to schedule your one recommended stop around the midway point to recharge. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as current estimates suggest a $52 expense for the full distance. Because the majority of your time is spent on major roads like I-81, stay alert for shifting traffic patterns near urban junctions. Having this flexibility allows you to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected delays on the longer stretches of the Southern Tier Expressway.

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 160.8 miles from Almond, NY, or about 3h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.6 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 160.8 miles or 3h 9m 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 11m

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 Almond, 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 Almond, NY

This is one driving day of about 321.6 miles and 6h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Almond, 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 125.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 160.8 mi from Almond, NY · 3h 9m into the drive

Downtown Ramapo, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

161 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

Syracuse, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Syracuse, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 160.8 miles from Almond, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125.6 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

$52.35 one way

$104.71 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 113 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $56.74 $113.47
premium $4.88 $61.83 $123.65
diesel $5.64 $71.45 $142.90

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

$52

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$100–$125

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 112.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 96.5 1 $33.77 $15.44
Efficient EV 80.4 0 $28.14 $12.86
EV Truck/SUV 128.6 1 $45.02 $20.58

Gas CO2

113 kg

EV CO2

38 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Almond, NY

Evening in Almond on Sunday

Local time

6:22 PM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hempstead, NY

Evening in Hempstead on Sunday

Local time

6:22 PM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

59°F

Ramapo, NY

161 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

16 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

6h 30m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Almond, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 321.6 miles and takes about 6h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, I 81. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 160.8 miles from Almond, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.35 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 321.6 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 126.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 179.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 294.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Almond, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Hempstead, NY to Almond, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

323.2 mi 6h 32m

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.

Explore maps for Almond, NY or Hempstead, NY on MapSof.net.