Trip from Hempstead, NY to Ithaca, NY

Drive Time

5h 9m

Distance

247.7 mi

399 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 56m ★

6 AM

5h 9m

8 AM

5h 36m

10 AM

5h 19m

12 PM

5h 16m

3 PM

5h 20m

5 PM

5h 35m

8 PM

5h 1m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Ithaca, NY

Beth Fitzpatrick

Trip Overview

The drive from Hempstead, NY to Ithaca, NY covers 247.7 miles and takes about 5h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway, US 11 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 73.8 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.32 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

123.9 miles from Hempstead, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 9m highway drive covering 247.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 73.8 miles on I 81.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 73.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 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.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 247.7 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 24 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8.1 mi into trip | ~15m in | I 295 / Clearview Expressway

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

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Throu...

15.8 mi into trip | ~25m in | I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

24.9 mi into trip | ~37m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

25.2 mi into trip | ~38m in

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

27.5 mi into trip | ~41m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 69 Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack

Towns Along This Route

Between Hempstead, NY and Ithaca, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Hackensack, Albany and Lisle.

Upper Level

22.4 mi in | ~34m | via I 95; US 1

Njtp South: Hackensack

24.9 mi in | ~37m

Hackensack

27.5 mi in | ~41m

Albany

200.3 mi in | ~4h 8m | via I 81

Lisle

216.1 mi in | ~4h 27m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 81	73.8 mi	1h 28m
Christopher Columbus Highway	68.2 mi	1h 20m
US 11	30.6 mi	40m
I 380	27.7 mi	30m
Keystone Shortway	17.3 mi	24m
Cross Bronx Expressway	6.6 mi	8m
Clearview Expressway	5 mi	5m
Tulip Avenue	2 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 81 — 73.8 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Ithaca, NY.

Start on Peninsula Boulevard

77 ft · 1 sec · Peninsula Boulevard

Turn left onto Clinton Street

359 ft · 17 sec · Clinton Street

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto NY 102

1.1 mi · 1 min · Front Street

Turn slight left onto NY 24

2.0 mi · 3 min · Hempstead Turnpike

Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road

0.4 mi · 53 sec · New Hyde Park Road

Turn left onto Tulip Avenue

2.0 mi · 3 min · Tulip Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto NY 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · Jamaica Avenue

Turn slight right onto NY 25

1.2 mi · 2 min · Braddock Avenue

Turn left onto NY 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hillside Avenue

Turn right onto I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway

Toward I 295 North: Clearview Expressway, Through Neck Bridge Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge

Continue on I 295

0.7 mi · 1 min · Throgs Neck Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 295

6.6 mi · 8 min · Cross Bronx Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway

Toward Upper Level

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.6 mi · 59 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)

Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

0.5 mi · 48 sec · I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

0.6 mi · 39 sec · I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 95 EXPR; NJTP

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 29 sec

Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 95; NJTP

2.0 mi · 2 min · New Jersey Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 69 Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 80

68 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Christopher Columbus Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec

Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380

Use the straight lane.

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 81

Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

14 mi · 16 min · I 81

Toward I 81 North: Syracuse

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Exit 8 Toward NY 26 North: Whitney Point, Lisle

Turn right onto NY 26

0.5 mi · 43 sec · NY 26

At end of road, turn left onto US 11; NY 26

0.1 mi · 9 sec · US 11; NY 26

Continue on US 11; NY 79

31 mi · 39 min · US 11; NY 79

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 79

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Seneca Way

Use the straight lane.

Arrive at destination

NY 79

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 123.9 miles from Hempstead, NY, or about 2h 38m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.8 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 80 miles or 1h 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 123.9 miles or 2h 38m 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 11m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ithaca, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Hempstead, NY

This is one driving day of about 247.7 miles and 5h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hempstead, 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 81 for about 73.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 123.9 mi from Hempstead, NY · 2h 38m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

124 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

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ramapo, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 123.9 miles from Hempstead, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.8 miles.

Arriving in Ithaca, NY

The final approach into Ithaca, 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 Ithaca, NY.

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...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 25.6

Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions

View on nps.gov

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 25.6

View on nps.gov

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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 ~23 min detour Free near mile 25.6

View on nps.gov

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 25.6

View on nps.gov

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free near mile 25.6

View on nps.gov

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...

12 mi from route ~29 min detour Free near mile 25.6

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$40.32 one way

$80.65 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.48	$43.70	$87.40
premium	$4.88	$47.62	$95.24
diesel	$5.64	$55.03	$110.06

Estimated Tolls: $22.97

George Washington Bridge $16.00

Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55

New Jersey Turnpike (2 mi) $0.28

Hempstead Turnpike (2 mi) $0.14

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

$40

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$88–$113

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 86.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	74.3	0	$26.01	$11.89
Efficient EV	61.9	0	$21.67	$9.91
EV Truck/SUV	99.1	1	$34.68	$15.85

Gas CO2

87 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 1 hour ago

Origin

Hempstead, NY

Morning in Hempstead on Monday

Local time

9:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Mostly Cloudy

SW 10 to 17 mph 9% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 13 at 12:55AM EDT until April 13 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Burlington VT

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 12:22AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

Destination

Ithaca, NY

Morning in Ithaca on Monday

Local time

9:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

59°F

Ramapo, NY

124 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

23 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 9m 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 Hempstead, NY to Ithaca, NY covers 247.7 miles and takes about 5h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway, US 11. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 123.9 miles from Hempstead, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.32 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.

Between Hempstead, NY and Ithaca, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Hackensack, Albany and Lisle.

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Return Trip

Ithaca, NY to Hempstead, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

247.4 mi 5h 9m

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Trip from Hempstead, NY to Ithaca, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Ithaca, NY

National Parks Near This Route

General Grant National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Stonewall National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

Federal Hall National Memorial

Castle Clinton National Monument

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Hempstead, NY

Ithaca, NY

Same local time

23 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 9m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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