Origin
Hamilton, NY
Morning in Hamilton on Saturday
Local time
6:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hamilton, 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
5h 8m
Distance
238.1 mi
383 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 55m
★
6 AM
5h 9m
8 AM
5h 35m
10 AM
5h 18m
12 PM
5h 15m
3 PM
5h 19m
5 PM
5h 34m
8 PM
5h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hamilton, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
The drive from Hamilton, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 238.1 miles and takes about 5h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Broad Street, State Route 12B, North Main Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.19 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
119 miles from Hamilton, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
About the Cities
Starting in Hamilton, NY
Full guide →Founded 1795
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 5h 8m. Total distance: 238.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 8m drive with frequent turns across 238.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 47 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Broad Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 8m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Hamilton, NY to Hempstead, NY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Broad Street | — | — |
| State Route 12B | — | — |
| North Main Street | — | — |
| Highway 12B | — | — |
| Highway 12 | — | — |
| North Broad Street | — | — |
| Rexford Street | — | — |
| Highway 8 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Broad Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hamilton, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on Utica Street
72 ft
·
3 sec
·
Utica Street
2
Turn slight right onto Broad Street
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Broad Street
3
Continue on State Route 12B
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Route 12B
4
Continue on North Main Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
5
Continue on State Highway 12B
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 12B
6
Continue on North Main Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
7
Continue on State Highway 12
10 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 12
8
Continue on North Broad Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broad Street
9
Turn left onto Rexford Street
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Rexford Street
10
Turn right onto State Highway 8
18 mi
·
20 min
·
State Highway 8
11
Continue on Airport Road
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Airport Road
12
Continue on State Highway 8
19 mi
·
21 min
·
State Highway 8
13
Continue on Oak Street
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Oak Street
14
Continue on State Highway 10
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
State Highway 10
15
Take the exit left toward NY 17 East
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
NY 17 East
16
Merge slight left
105 mi
·
2 hr 11 min
17
Keep slight left to continue on I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
18
Keep slight right to continue on I 87 Toll South: New York City
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 87 Toll South: New York City
19
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
14 mi
·
15 min
·
New York State Thruway
20
Keep slight right to continue on I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
21
Continue straight
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
22
Keep slight left to continue on NJ 17 South: Mahwah
14 mi
·
18 min
·
NJ 17 South: Mahwah
23
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
24
Keep slight left to continue on NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
25
Merge slight left
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
26
Continue straight
6.4 mi
·
8 min
27
Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
28
Merge slight left
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
29
Keep slight left
0.8 mi
·
1 min
30
Continue on George Washington Bridge (upper level)
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
31
Continue on Trans-Manhattan Expressway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
32
Continue on Cross Bronx Expressway
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
33
Keep slight right to continue on Cross Bronx Expressway
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
34
Merge slight left onto Throgs Neck Expressway
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
35
Continue on Throgs Neck Bridge
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
36
Continue on Clearview Expressway
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Clearview Expressway
37
Turn left onto Hillside Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hillside Avenue
38
Turn right onto Braddock Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Braddock Avenue
39
Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Jamaica Avenue
40
Continue on Jericho Turnpike
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Jericho Turnpike
41
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Tulip Avenue
42
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
New Hyde Park Road
43
Turn left onto Hempstead Turnpike
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Hempstead Turnpike
44
Turn slight right onto Front Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
45
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Greenwich Street
46
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Peninsula Boulevard
47
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 119 miles from Hamilton, NY, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
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 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119 miles or 2h 34m 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 12m
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 Hamilton, 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 Hamilton, NY
This is one driving day of about 238.1 miles and 5h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Hamilton, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 119 mi from Hamilton, NY · 2h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 119 miles from Hamilton, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Hempstead, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.19 one way
$78.39 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $42.38 | $84.76 |
| premium | $4.92 | $46.15 | $92.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.57 | $105.14 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.55
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
$0.00
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: 83.3 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 | 71.4 | 0 | $25.00 | $11.43 |
| Efficient EV | 59.5 | 0 | $20.83 | $9.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.2 | 1 | $33.33 | $15.24 |
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.
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Morning in Hempstead on Saturday
Local time
6:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
119 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
18 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 8m 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 Hamilton, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 238.1 miles and takes about 5h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Broad Street, State Route 12B, North Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119 miles from Hamilton, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.19 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 straightforward 5h 8m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Hamilton, NY to Hempstead, NY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Hamilton, NY to Hempstead, NY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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