Trip from Hempstead, NY to Penfield, NY

Drive Time

7h 7m

Distance

333.6 mi

537 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$54

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

21 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
6h 57m ★
6 AM
7h 8m
8 AM
7h 30m
10 AM
7h 16m
12 PM
7h 13m
3 PM
7h 17m
5 PM
7h 29m
8 PM
7h 1m

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

Downtown Penfield, NY, NY

Penfield, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

The drive from Hempstead, NY to Penfield, NY covers 333.6 miles and takes about 7h 7m 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, New York State Thruway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 97.3 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $54.31 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

166.8 miles from Hempstead, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 28m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 7h 7m drive with frequent turns across 333.6 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 63 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 97.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 40 significant decision points across 333.6 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 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 40 key points

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

7
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...
8
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
8
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
8
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
8
330.8 mi into trip | ~7h in

Take the exit toward NY 31F: Fairport, East Rochester

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 25 Toward NY 31F: Fairport, East Rochester

Towns Along This Route

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

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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 97.3 mi 1h 55m
Christopher Columbus Highway 68.2 mi 1h 20m
New York State Thruway 30.3 mi 34m
I 380 27.7 mi 30m
Keystone Shortway 17.3 mi 24m
Clinton Street 10.5 mi 15m
East Lake Road 9.9 mi 14m
Chase Street 9.8 mi 11m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 97.3 mi, about 1h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Peninsula Boulevard

77 ft · 1 sec · Peninsula Boulevard
2

Turn left onto Clinton Street

359 ft · 17 sec · Clinton Street
Use the left lane.
3

Turn left onto NY 102

1.1 mi · 1 min · Front Street
4

Turn slight left onto NY 24

2.0 mi · 3 min · Hempstead Turnpike
5

Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road

0.4 mi · 53 sec · New Hyde Park Road
6

Turn left onto Tulip Avenue

2.0 mi · 3 min · Tulip Avenue
Use the left lane.
7

Turn left onto NY 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · Jamaica Avenue
8

Turn slight right onto NY 25

1.2 mi · 2 min · Braddock Avenue
9

Turn left onto NY 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hillside Avenue
10

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.
11

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
12

Continue on I 295

0.7 mi · 1 min · Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 295

6.6 mi · 8 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
15

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.6 mi · 59 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
16

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
17

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.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 95 EXPR; NJTP
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
21

Merge onto I 95; NJTP

2.0 mi · 2 min · New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 69 Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Continue on I 80

68 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway
26

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec
Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton
27

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380
Use the straight lane.
28

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81
Use the straight lane.
29

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
30

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

37 mi · 43 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
31

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Exit 52 Toward NY 13: Cortland
32

Turn right onto NY 13

39 ft · 5 sec · Clinton Avenue
33

Turn left onto Locust Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · Locust Avenue
34

Continue on Albany Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Albany Street
35

At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
36

Turn left onto NY 41

10 mi · 15 min · Clinton Street
37

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road
38

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
39

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road
40

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 48 sec · East Lake Street
41

Turn left onto US 20

7.3 mi · 13 min · East Genesee Street
42

Turn right onto US 20

0.2 mi · 12 sec · North Fulton Street
43

Turn left onto US 20; NY 5

0.4 mi · 1 min · Arterial West
44

Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38

9.8 mi · 11 min · Chase Street
Use the left lane.
45

Continue on US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
46

Turn right onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318
47

Continue on NY 318

319 ft · 10 sec · NY 318
Use the right lane.
48

Turn right onto NY 414

0.3 mi · 28 sec · State Route 414
Use the right lane.
49

Continue on NY 414

217 ft · 11 sec · Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
50

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Use the left lane.
51

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo Use the straight / right lanes.
52

Merge onto I 90

30 mi · 34 min · New York State Thruway
53

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Exit 45 Toward I 490: Rochester Use the slight right lane.
54

Continue on I 490

7.6 mi · 8 min · Eastern Expressway
55

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 25 Toward NY 31F: Fairport, East Rochester Use the straight / slight right lanes.
56

Keep slight right at fork

199 ft · 4 sec
Toward NY 31F East: Fairport
57

Turn straight onto NY 31F

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Fairport Road
58

Turn left onto NY 153

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Washington Street
59

Turn right onto CR 15

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Linden Avenue
Use the right lane.
60

At end of road, turn left onto CR 17

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Whitney Road
61

Continue on CR 18

0.5 mi · 1 min · Five Mile Line Road
62

Turn right onto NY 441

121 ft · 2 sec · Penfield Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
63

Arrive at destination

NY 441

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 166.8 miles from Hempstead, NY, or about 3h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.3 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 166.8 miles or 3h 28m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 48m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Penfield, 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.

+

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 333.6 miles and 7h 7m.

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 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 97.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 166.8 mi from Hempstead, NY · 3h 28m into the drive

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

167 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.

Syracuse, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 166.8 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 97.3 miles.

Arriving in Penfield, NY

The final approach into Penfield, 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 Penfield, 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.

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...

1 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 276.1
View on nps.gov
Hamilton Grange National Memorial

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...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 23
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

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 23
View on nps.gov
Women's Rights National Historical Park

Women's Rights National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...

3 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 287.6
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

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 ~21 min detour Free near mile 23
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 23
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$54.31 one way

$108.62 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 117 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $58.85 $117.71
premium $4.88 $64.13 $128.27
diesel $5.64 $74.11 $148.23

Estimated Tolls: $24.49

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55
New York State Thruway (30.3 mi) $1.52
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

$54

Tolls

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$104–$129

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 116.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

21 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Green Acres Commons - Tesla Supercharger

Valley Stream, NY

Tesla

24 DCFC

Nanking - Tesla Supercharger

North New Hyde Park, NY

Tesla

20 DCFC

Stewart Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Garden City, NY

Tesla

16 DCFC

Carle Place Commons - Tesla Supercharger

Carle Place, NY

Tesla

12 DCFC

Parkway Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Carle Place, NY

Tesla

12 DCFC

Roosevelt Field - Tesla Supercharger

Garden City, NY

Tesla

12 DCFC

Peninsula Shopping Center

Hewlett, NY

Tesla

12 DCFC

Willis Row - Tesla Supercharger

Roslyn Heights, NY

Tesla

8 DCFC

Tesla: 8 Electrify America: 3 ChargePoint Network: 3 eVgo Network: 2 ZEFNET: 2 Non-Networked: 1 RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1 BP_PULSE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 100.1 1 $35.03 $16.01
Efficient EV 83.4 0 $29.19 $13.34
EV Truck/SUV 133.4 1 $46.70 $21.35

Gas CO2

117 kg

EV CO2

39 kg (67% 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 1 hour ago

Origin

Hempstead, NY

Evening in Hempstead on Monday

Local time

6:03 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

SW 16 mph 17% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:26AM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

Destination

Penfield, NY

Evening in Penfield on Monday

Local time

6:03 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

40°F

Ramapo, NY

167 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

26 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

7h 7m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Hempstead, NY to Penfield, NY covers 333.6 miles and takes about 7h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway, New York State Thruway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 166.8 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 $54.31 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 40 significant decision points across 333.6 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.
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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Hempstead, NY and Penfield, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Hackensack and Albany.

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Return Trip

Penfield, NY to Hempstead, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

332.5 mi 7h 6m

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