This 236.3-mile drive from Granville, NY to Hempstead, NY takes about 5 hours and 2 minutes, making it a feasible one-day trip. You'll primarily be on major highways, with 75% of the route being highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $39. Given the relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it’s a straightforward drive that doesn't necessarily require an overnight stop, though you can certainly break it up if you prefer. This route keeps you within the Northeast region, traveling from upstate New York down towards Long Island. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
118.2 miles from Granville, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 2m. Total distance: 236.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 236.3-mile journey, with 75% of the route utilizing high-speed roadways like I-87 and NJ-17. The Adirondack Northway (I-87) is a significant portion of your travel, and you'll encounter a long stretch of 118.6 miles on this interstate alone. This means you'll have ample opportunity to maintain consistent speeds. While the majority of the drive is on major arteries, be prepared for potential traffic as you approach your destination in the Northeast. The character of the road is largely about efficient travel on well-maintained highways.
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.
I 87 is the longest continuous segment at about 118.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 87 and Adirondack Northway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 69.6 miles in near I 87.
Driving Effort10/10
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 33 significant decision points across 236.3 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 69.6 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.4 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.1 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 33 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
69.6 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1E-W
Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
7
70.4 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 87 South: New York
9
188.1 mi into trip|~3h 52m 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
189.5 mi into trip|~3h 54m 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
218.6 mi into trip|~4h 34m 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 Granville, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Gsp South: Paterson and Fort Lee.
Albany
69.6 mi in|~1h 35m|via I 87
New York
69.6 mi in|~1h 35m|via I 87
Buffalo
69.6 mi in|~1h 35m|via I 87
Gsp South: Paterson
203.6 mi in|~4h 13m
Fort Lee
203.6 mi in|~4h 13m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 87
118.6 mi
2h 17m
Adirondack Northway
40.2 mi
48m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
State Highway 196
8.3 mi
11m
State Highway 149
7.6 mi
11m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 87
— 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Granville, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on Church Street
32 ft·6 sec·Church Street
2
Turn left onto NY 149
0.4 mi·33 sec·Main Street
3
Continue on NY 149
0.7 mi·1 min·Quaker Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto NY 22; NY 149
0.1 mi·15 sec·State Highway 22
5
Turn right onto NY 149
7.6 mi·11 min·State Highway 149
6
At end of road, turn left onto NY 40
1.6 mi·2 min·State Highway 40
7
Turn right onto NY 196
8.3 mi·11 min·State Highway 196
8
Continue on NY 196
0.8 mi·1 min·State Route 196
9
Turn left onto CR 37
2.5 mi·5 min·Burgoyne Avenue
10
Turn right onto CR 37
341 ft·11 sec·Maple Avenue
11
Turn left onto US 4
0.6 mi·1 min·Broadway
12
Turn right onto NY 197
0.3 mi·34 sec·Bridge Street
13
Continue on NY 197
4.4 mi·6 min·Reynolds Road
14
At end of road, turn left onto US 9
1.2 mi·1 min·Route 9
15
Continue on US 9
0.4 mi·40 sec·Saratoga Road
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
17
Merge onto I 87
40 mi·48 min·Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
0.3 mi·31 sec·I 87
Exit 1E-WToward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, BuffaloUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on I 87
0.5 mi·51 sec·I 87
Exit 1WToward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 87
Toward I 87 South: New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
22
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
23
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
26
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
27
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
29
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 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 6BToward I 295 South: Throgs Neck BridgeUse 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
For this 5-hour drive, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential congestion, especially as you get closer to Hempstead. You'll have one long stretch of 118.6 miles on I-87, so plan your first stop after that segment to refuel or stretch your legs. The $39 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting, but always keep an eye on your gauge, particularly during that long interstate stretch. Since this trip is manageable in a single day, you have flexibility. Consider an early start to maximize daylight and arrive with plenty of time to spare.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 118.2 miles from Granville, NY, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 52 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.2 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
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 Granville, 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 Granville, NY
This is one driving day of about 236.3 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Granville, 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 87 for about 118.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 118.2 mi from Granville, NY
· 2h 31m into the drive
The midpoint is around 118.2 miles from Granville, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.6 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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 211.9
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 211.9
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 40.7
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 211.9
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 211.9
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 211.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.90 one way
$77.79 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$42.06
$84.12
premium
$4.92
$45.80
$91.60
diesel
$5.61
$52.17
$104.34
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
$39
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.9
0
$24.81
$11.34
Efficient EV
59.1
0
$20.68
$9.45
EV Truck/SUV
94.5
1
$33.08
$15.12
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Granville, NY
Night
in Granville on Friday
Local time
10:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Night
in Hempstead on Friday
Local time
10:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 6 to 12 mph3% chanceLive forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
118 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
46 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
5h 2m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Granville, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 236.3 miles and takes about 5h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 87, Adirondack Northway, NJ 17. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 118.2 miles from Granville, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.90 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 33 significant decision points across 236.3 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 69.6 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.4 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.1 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Granville, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Gsp South: Paterson and Fort Lee.
Yes. Nearby national parks include General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Saratoga National Historical Park. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
