Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 20m
Distance
260.9 mi
420 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kirkland, NY
Wikimedia Commons
This 260.9-mile journey from Hempstead, NY, to Kirkland, NY, is designed as a single-day adventure, estimated to take about 5 hours and 20 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on NY 17 and the New York State Thruway, with a brief stint on NJ 17. Given the manageable duration and distance, it's a feasible day trip without the need for an overnight stop. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $43, making it a relatively budget-friendly option. This route keeps you within the Northeast region, offering a straightforward transit between two points in New York.
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
130.5 miles from Hempstead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 20m. Total distance: 260.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Expect a mixed drive experience on this route, with 60% of it being highway driving. The bulk of your travel will be on major arteries like NY 17 and the New York State Thruway, facilitating steady progress. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 117.5 miles on NY 17, which should allow for a good period of consistent travel. While largely highway-focused, the 'mixed drive' profile suggests you might encounter some variations in road type and speed as you transition between these main routes, offering a dynamic driving experience.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 260.9 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 24.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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
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 right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17 toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Kirkland, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark and Mahwah - among others.
Upper Level
Njtp South: Hackensack
Gsp South
Gsp North
Newark
Mahwah
New York State Thruway North: Albany
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 117.5 mi | 2h 15m |
| New York State Thruway | 85.1 mi | 1h 38m |
| NJ 17 | 14.7 mi | 18m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Clearview Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| North-South Arterial Highway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Tulip Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Kirkland, 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 right at fork
Merge onto NJ 4
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on I 287; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Turn slight right onto North Genesee Street
Continue on Genesee Street
Turn right onto Court Street
Turn slight left
Take the ramp
Merge onto NY 5; NY 8; NY 12
Continue on NY 5; NY 12
Turn left onto NY 12B
Turn right onto NY 5B
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 5-hour, 20-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Hempstead to avoid potential traffic, especially if you're traveling on a weekday. With only one recommended stop on this 260.9-mile route, you have flexibility in timing your breaks, but planning for a fuel and rest stop around the halfway point is advisable. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major town or exit is 117.5 miles on NY 17, so ensure you're topped up before embarking on that segment. The $43 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but always factor in potential price fluctuations.
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.
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 57 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.5 miles or 2h 43m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kirkland, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hempstead, NY
This is one driving day of about 260.9 miles and 5h 20m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 130.5 mi from Hempstead, NY · 2h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
130 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 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 130.5 miles from Hempstead, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 117.5 miles.
The final approach into Kirkland, 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 Kirkland, 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
$42.95 one way
$85.89 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $46.44 | $92.88 |
| premium | $4.92 | $50.57 | $101.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $57.60 | $115.21 |
Estimated Tolls: $26.94
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
$43
Tolls
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$95–$120
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.3 | 0 | $27.39 | $12.52 |
| Efficient EV | 65.2 | 0 | $22.83 | $10.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.4 | 1 | $36.53 | $16.70 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Hempstead on Thursday
Local time
6:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Evening in Kirkland on Thursday
Local time
6:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
57°F
Ramapo, NY
130 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
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.
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