Origin
Chestnut Ridge, NY
Evening in Chestnut Ridge on Thursday
Local time
5:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chestnut Ridge, NY to Hempstead, NY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 7m
Distance
44.4 mi
71 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 2m
★
6 AM
1h 7m
8 AM
1h 18m
10 AM
1h 11m
12 PM
1h 10m
3 PM
1h 12m
5 PM
1h 18m
8 PM
1h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chestnut Ridge, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Chestnut Ridge, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 44.4 miles and takes about 1h 7m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on NJ 4, Cross Bronx Expressway, Garden State Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 6.7 miles on NJ 4. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.31 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 7m. Total distance: 44.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 7m highway drive covering 44.4 miles, with most of the trip on NJ 4 and Cross Bronx Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 6.7 miles on NJ 4.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NJ 4 is the longest continuous segment at about 6.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
414 ft
6 ft
Total Climb
228 ft
Total Descent
587 ft
Highest Point
414 ft
Elevation Range
408 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 4 and Cross Bronx Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near NY 45 / Chestnut Ridge Road.
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 44.4 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: near the start (NY 45 / Chestnut Ridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
NY 45 / Chestnut Ridge Road
Turn left onto NY 45 / Chestnut Ridge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
10.3 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward NJ 17 South: Paramus, George Washington Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 163
Toward NJ 17 South: Paramus, George Washington...
6
11.8 mi into trip
|
~18m 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
6
18.9 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
8
26.7 mi into trip
|
~39m 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 Chestnut Ridge, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Gsp Toll South, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Gsp Toll South
3.7 mi in
|
~7m
Gsp South: Paterson
11.7 mi in
|
~17m
Fort Lee
11.7 mi in
|
~17m
New York
11.7 mi in
|
~17m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Garden State Parkway | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| Clearview Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| Chestnut Ridge Road | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| Tulip Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
| Throgs Neck Bridge | 2 mi | 3m |
| Hempstead Turnpike | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
NJ 4
— 6.7 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chestnut Ridge, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on this road
105 ft
·
14 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto NY 45
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Chestnut Ridge Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Turn left onto CR 92
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Glen Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward GSP Toll South
5
Merge onto GSP
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Garden State Parkway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Garden State Parkway
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 163
Toward NJ 17 South: Paramus, George Washington Bridge
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto NJ 17
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
·
NJ 17
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
11
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
NJ 4
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
16
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
18
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
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
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.2 mi from Chestnut Ridge, NY · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.2 miles from Chestnut Ridge, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.31 one way
$14.62 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $7.90 | $15.81 |
| premium | $4.92 | $8.61 | $17.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.80 | $19.61 |
Estimated Tolls: $23.11
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
Garden State Parkway
(6.4 mi)
$0.38
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.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$23
Total
$30
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.66 | $2.13 |
| Efficient EV | 11.1 | 0 | $3.89 | $1.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.22 | $2.84 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Evening in Hempstead on Thursday
Local time
5:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
11 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
1h 7m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Chestnut Ridge, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 44.4 miles and takes about 1h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NJ 4, Cross Bronx Expressway, Garden State Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.2 miles from Chestnut Ridge, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.31 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 44.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (NY 45 / Chestnut Ridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Chestnut Ridge, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Gsp Toll South, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 6 ft to 414 ft elevation with about 228 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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