Origin
Bethel, NY
Afternoon in Bethel on Saturday
Local time
1:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bethel, NY to Hempstead, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 35m
Distance
111.5 mi
179 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 25m
★
6 AM
2h 35m
8 AM
2h 56m
10 AM
2h 42m
12 PM
2h 40m
3 PM
2h 43m
5 PM
2h 55m
8 PM
2h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bethel, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 111.5-mile drive from Bethel, NY to Hempstead, NY is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 35 minutes. With 89% of the route on highways, including I-684, the Taconic State Parkway, and I-84, it's a practical option for a single-day trip. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $18, making it an economical choice. The generally highway-focused profile suggests a smooth, efficient travel experience across New York. This route is a solid choice if you're looking for a direct and uncomplicated way to get from the Northeast region of New York to another part of the same state.
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
55.8 miles from Bethel, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 684 | 26.8 mi | 31m |
| Taconic State Parkway | 17.9 mi | 24m |
| I 84 | 15.5 mi | 18m |
| State Highway 82 | 13.7 mi | 19m |
| Hutchinson River Parkway | 13.6 mi | 19m |
| Clearview Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| Throgs Neck Expressway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Tulip Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 684
— 26.8 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethel, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on this road
132 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Carpenter Hill Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Carpenter Hill Road
3
Turn right onto Bethel Cross Road
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Bethel Cross Road
4
Turn right onto Strever Farm Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Strever Farm Road
5
Turn sharp left onto NY 82
14 mi
·
19 min
·
State Highway 82
6
At end of road, turn right onto US 44
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 44
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
8
Merge onto Taconic State Parkway
18 mi
·
24 min
·
Taconic State Parkway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 84 East: Danbury
10
Merge onto I 84
15 mi
·
18 min
·
I 84
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 68A
Toward I 684 South: White Plains
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 684
27 mi
·
31 min
·
I 684
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.5 mi
·
2 min
Exit 1
Toward Hutchinson River Parkway, New York City
Use the straight lane.
14
Merge onto Hutchinson River Parkway
7.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Hutchinson River Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto Hutchinson River Parkway
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Hutchinson River Parkway
Toward Whitestone Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
141 ft
·
4 sec
Exit 2A
Toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, Stillwell Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 95
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
New England Thruway
19
Continue on I 95
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Bruckner Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
Exit 7A
Toward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Island
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Braddock Avenue
25
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Jamaica Avenue
26
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Jericho Turnpike
27
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
28
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
New Hyde Park Road
29
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
30
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
Use the right lane.
31
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
32
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 35-minute duration for this 111.5-mile trip, you have excellent flexibility with your departure time. Aiming to leave Bethel, NY in the morning, perhaps before 9 AM, should help you avoid any significant traffic as you approach Hempstead, NY. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between highways; the $18 fuel cost is an estimate, so a quick top-off might be wise before you start if your tank is low. A specific tip for this route: be aware that the Taconic State Parkway can have varying speed limits and occasional local traffic, so adjust your speed accordingly when you're on that section.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 55.8 miles from Bethel, NY, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.8 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 25 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.8 miles or 1h 17m 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 2m
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 Bethel, 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 Bethel, NY
This is one driving day of about 111.5 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Bethel, 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 684 for about 26.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55.8 miles from Bethel, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 255 decision points cluster between mile 49.8 and 94.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
49.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 684 South: White Plains
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 68A
Toward I 684 South: White Plains
9
77.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Hutchinson River Parkway, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 1
Toward Hutchinson River Parkway, New York City
8
92.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, Stillwell Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2A
Toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, St...
8
92.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge
9
94.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway toward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 7A
Toward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Is...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.35 one way
$36.71 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $19.85 | $39.69 |
| premium | $4.92 | $21.61 | $43.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.62 | $49.24 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.73
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
$18
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.4 | 0 | $11.71 | $5.35 |
| Efficient EV | 27.9 | 0 | $9.76 | $4.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.6 | 0 | $15.61 | $7.14 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Afternoon in Hempstead on Saturday
Local time
1:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
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
2h 35m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 92.3
View on nps.gov
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 92.3
View on nps.gov
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 100
View on nps.gov
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 100
View on nps.gov
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 100
View on nps.gov
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 100
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 predominantly highway-focused drive for this trip, with 89% of the miles utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-684, I-84, and the Taconic State Parkway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 26.8 miles on I-684, indicating substantial periods of consistent highway travel. This profile suggests a route designed for efficient movement rather than winding scenic byways, with the potential for higher speeds and less frequent turns. The character is largely about covering ground effectively on well-maintained highways.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 26.8 mi on I 684.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 684 and Taconic State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 49.8 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 25 significant decision points across 111.5 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 49.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bethel, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward New York City and Long Island.
New York City
77.2 mi in
|
~1h 42m
Long Island
94.2 mi in
|
~2h 7m
|
via I 695
About the Cities
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 2h 35m. Total distance: 111.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26.8 miles on I 684. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.73 in tolls one way, starting with Throgs Neck 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.
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 49.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and African Burial Ground National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hempstead, NY before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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