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Drive Time
7h 44m
Distance
372.6 mi
600 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bennington, NY
Dom Bucci
Embarking on a journey from Hempstead, NY, to Bennington, NY, covers 372.6 miles and is estimated to take around 7 hours and 44 minutes. This drive is primarily highway-focused, with 64% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-86 and I-81, as well as the Christopher Columbus Highway. Given its duration and highway-centric nature, it's feasible as a single-day trip, though you might consider an overnight stop if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The estimated fuel cost for this leg is approximately $61. You'll be navigating within the Northeast region for the entirety of this trip, staying within New York State.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
186.3 miles from Hempstead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 51m into the drive .
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This route is largely a highway-focused drive, designed for covering distance efficiently. With 64% of the journey on major roads, expect mostly interstate driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 100 miles on I-86, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While the majority is highway, the transitions between I-86, Christopher Columbus Highway, and I-81 will offer some variety in the road's feel as you progress across New York.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and Christopher Columbus Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.1 miles in near I 295 / Clearview Expressway.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 372.6 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 8.1 miles (I 295 / Clearview Expressway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.8 miles (I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto I 295 / Clearview Expressway toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck Bridge
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hempstead, NY and Bennington, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Hackensack and Letchworth Park.
Upper Level
Njtp South: Hackensack
Hackensack
Letchworth Park
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 86 | 100 mi | 1h 56m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 68.2 mi | 1h 20m |
| I 81 | 58.1 mi | 1h 9m |
| Genesee Expressway | 32.9 mi | 37m |
| I 380 | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| Keystone Shortway | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| Varysburg Road | 10.9 mi | 15m |
| Leicester Road | 7.4 mi | 10m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Bennington, NY.
Start on Peninsula Boulevard
Turn left onto Clinton Street
Turn left onto NY 102
Turn slight left onto NY 24
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
Turn left onto Tulip Avenue
Turn left onto NY 25
Turn slight right onto NY 25
Turn left onto NY 25
Turn right onto I 295
Continue on I 295
Continue on I 295
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
Take the exit
Continue on I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Take the exit
Continue on I 380
Merge onto I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
Take the exit
Turn left onto NY 36
Continue on NY 36
Continue on NY 36
Turn left onto CR 64
Continue on US 20A
Continue on US 20A
Continue on US 20A
Continue on US 20A
Turn right onto NY 77
Continue on NY 77
Turn right
Turn left onto NY 354
Arrive at destination
For this 7-hour, 44-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Hempstead to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With two planned stops and a longest stretch of 100 miles, you can comfortably break up the journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before the 100-mile segment on I-86, as services can be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $61 should help you budget for this. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but planning your refueling stops around the major highway changes will ensure a smoother experience.
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 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 82 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186.3 miles or 3h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bennington, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hempstead, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hempstead, NY
This is one driving day of about 372.6 miles and 7h 44m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 186.3 mi from Hempstead, NY · 3h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
186 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.
A short stop after about 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 186.3 miles from Hempstead, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100 miles.
The final approach into Bennington, 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 Bennington, 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.
Regular Gas
$61.33 one way
$122.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $66.32 | $132.64 |
| premium | $4.92 | $72.22 | $144.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $82.27 | $164.53 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.97
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
$61
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$109–$134
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 111.8 | 1 | $39.12 | $17.88 |
| Efficient EV | 93.2 | 1 | $32.60 | $14.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 149 | 1 | $52.16 | $23.85 |
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Hempstead on Wednesday
Local time
6:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Morning in Bennington on Wednesday
Local time
6:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
57°F
Ramapo, NY
186 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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