Origin
Cherry Creek, NY
Night in Cherry Creek on Wednesday
Local time
10:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cherry Creek, NY to Hempstead, NY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
8h 26m
Distance
417.6 mi
672 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$69
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 18m
★
6 AM
8h 26m
8 AM
8h 41m
10 AM
8h 31m
12 PM
8h 30m
3 PM
8h 32m
5 PM
8h 40m
8 PM
8h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cherry Creek, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Cherry Creek, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 417.6 miles and takes about 8h 26m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, I 81 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 207.8 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $68.74 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
208.8 miles from Cherry Creek, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 8h 26m highway drive covering 417.6 miles, with most of the trip on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. The longest continuous stretch is about 207.8 miles on Southern Tier Expressway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 48 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 207.8 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 222.3 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 30 significant decision points across 417.6 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 222.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 275.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 390.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 30 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
222.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m 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 straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
275.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 27m 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
390.2 mi into trip
|
~7h 43m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
390.5 mi into trip
|
~7h 43m 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
399.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 57m 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 Cherry Creek, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.
Mt Pocono
275.6 mi in
|
~5h 27m
|
via US 6
Milford
276.4 mi in
|
~5h 28m
|
via I 84; I 380
New York City
390.2 mi in
|
~7h 43m
Leonia
390.5 mi in
|
~7h 43m
Teaneck
390.5 mi in
|
~7h 43m
George Washington Bridge Upper Level
392.7 mi in
|
~7h 47m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Tier Expressway | 207.8 mi | 4h 1m |
| 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 |
| Conewango Road | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 5.5 mi | 5m |
| Clearview Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Southern Tier Expressway
— 207.8 mi, about 4h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cherry Creek, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on Center Street
67 ft
·
5 sec
·
Center Street
2
Turn right onto NY 83
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
Main Street
3
Continue on NY 83
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
South Road
4
Continue on NY 83
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
State Highway 83
5
Turn left onto US 62
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Seager Hill Road
6
Turn straight onto NY 241
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Conewango Road
7
Continue on NY 241
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Conewango Road
8
Continue on NY 241
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 241
9
Continue on NY 241
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Conewango Road
10
Turn right onto NY 394
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
12
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
208 mi
·
4 hr 1 min
·
Southern Tier Expressway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
Use the straight lane.
14
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.
15
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.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 380
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
17
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
18
Merge onto I 80
80 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
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.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 70A
Toward Leonia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft
·
9 sec
·
Degraw Avenue
24
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on CR 56
469 ft
·
13 sec
·
Main Street
26
Take the ramp
472 ft
·
12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
27
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
312 ft
·
4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
29
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
31
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
33
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
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.
35
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
36
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
39
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Braddock Avenue
40
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Jamaica Avenue
41
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Jericho Turnpike
42
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
43
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
New Hyde Park Road
44
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
45
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
Use the right lane.
46
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
47
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
Trip Plan
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 208.8 miles from Cherry Creek, NY, or about 4h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 207.8 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 92 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 208.8 miles or 4h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 208.8 miles or 4h 8m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 4m
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 Cherry Creek, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cherry Creek, NY
Aim for roughly 209 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Hempstead, NY
Aim for roughly 209 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Cherry Creek, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Southern Tier Expressway for about 207.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 208.8 mi from Cherry Creek, NY · 4h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
209 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Union, NYOvernight Options
Night 1
209 mi · about 4.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Union, NY after about 209 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 92 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 208.8 miles from Cherry Creek, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 207.8 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 209 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.
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.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Hempstead, NY with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
$68.74 one way
$137.48 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
146 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $74.33 | $148.66 |
| premium | $4.92 | $80.94 | $161.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $92.20 | $184.40 |
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
$69
Tolls
$23
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$221–$331
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 146.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 125.3 | 1 | $43.85 | $20.04 |
| Efficient EV | 104.4 | 1 | $36.54 | $16.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 167 | 2 | $58.46 | $26.73 |
Gas CO2
146 kg
EV CO2
49 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.
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Night in Hempstead on Wednesday
Local time
10:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Sunny
S 8 to 13 mph
8% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 12:38PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 14 at 12:03PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
53°F
Union, NY
209 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
37 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
8h 26m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Cherry Creek, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 417.6 miles and takes about 8h 26m 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.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 209 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 208.8 miles from Cherry Creek, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $68.74 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 2 meaningful breaks 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 30 significant decision points across 417.6 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 222.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 275.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 390.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Cherry Creek, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.
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