Origin
Central Valley, NY
Afternoon in Central Valley on Saturday
Local time
1:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Central Valley, 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
1h 31m
Distance
64.6 mi
104 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 24m
★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 44m
8 PM
1h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Central Valley, NY
Olivia Chen
Trip Overview
Central Valley, NY to Hempstead, NY is 64.6 miles and takes about 1h 31m via NJ 17 and the New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, making it a straightforward journey. Expect a drive primarily focused on highways, so plan for consistent speeds and limited scenic detours. With a recommended single day of travel, this route is ideal for a quick, efficient trip between these two points in the Northeast region. Consider it a practical option for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32.3 miles from Central Valley, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| New York State Thruway | 13.7 mi | 15m |
| 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:
NJ 17
— 14.1 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central Valley, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on CR 9
64 ft
·
5 sec
·
Smith Clove Road
2
Turn left onto NY 32
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
State Route 32
3
Continue on NY 32
484 ft
·
15 sec
·
State Route 32
Toward NY 17 South
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Toward I 87, NYST
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York City
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 87
14 mi
·
15 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
9
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.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
12
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
NJ 4
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
17
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
19
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
22
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Braddock Avenue
26
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Jamaica Avenue
27
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Jericho Turnpike
28
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
29
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
New Hyde Park Road
30
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
31
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
Use the right lane.
32
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
33
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 1.5 hours, this trip offers plenty of flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, but be mindful of potential rush hour traffic, especially as you approach Hempstead. Since it's a single-day drive with minimal stops recommended, you won't need to worry about breaking up the journey. Fuel costs are estimated at $11, so ensure you have enough gas before you start, though the relatively short distance means frequent stops for fuel are unlikely to be an issue. A specific tip for this route: monitor your GPS closely for lane changes when transitioning between the New York State Thruway and NJ 17 to ensure you stay on the most direct path.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 32.3 miles from Central Valley, NY, or about 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.1 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 14 miles or 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.3 miles or 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 13m
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 Central Valley, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Central Valley, NY
This is one driving day of about 64.6 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Central Valley, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NJ 17 for about 14.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.3 miles from Central Valley, 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 235 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 46.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 87, NYST
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward I 87, NYST
7
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 87 Toll South: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York City
9
16.4 mi into trip
|
~21m 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
17.8 mi into trip
|
~22m 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
46.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m 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
$10.63 one way
$21.27 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $11.50 | $23.00 |
| premium | $4.92 | $12.52 | $25.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.26 | $28.53 |
Estimated Tolls: $23.41
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(13.7 mi)
$0.68
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
$11
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.78 | $3.10 |
| Efficient EV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.65 | $2.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.8 | 0 | $9.04 | $4.13 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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
1:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
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
5 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
1h 31m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 42.3
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 40.1
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...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 40.1
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 40.1
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 40.1
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 40.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 63% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience stretches of consistent speed, particularly on the New York State Thruway and NJ 17. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 14.1 miles on NJ 17, offering a good period of steady driving. While the primary character is highway, the inclusion of NJ 4 suggests some transitions between different types of major road infrastructure as you progress. Overall, anticipate a driving experience geared towards efficiency rather than leisurely cruising.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.1 mi on NJ 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 17 and New York State Thruway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.6 miles you will encounter 23 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Central Valley, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Gsp South: Paterson
31.8 mi in
|
~41m
Fort Lee
31.8 mi in
|
~41m
New York
31.8 mi in
|
~41m
About the Cities
Starting in Central Valley, NY
Full guide →Central Valley and Harriman are neighboring towns in Orange County, New York.
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 1h 31m. Total distance: 64.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.1 miles on NJ 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.41 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.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 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 Stonewall 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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