Origin
Hempstead, NY
Late night in Hempstead on Friday
Local time
5:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hempstead, NY to Plattsburgh, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 30m
Distance
321 mi
517 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 18m
★
6 AM
6h 30m
8 AM
6h 55m
10 AM
6h 39m
12 PM
6h 36m
3 PM
6h 40m
5 PM
6h 53m
8 PM
6h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plattsburgh, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a 321-mile journey from Hempstead, NY, to Plattsburgh, NY, a trip that will take approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes. This drive is best tackled in a single day, with a modest fuel cost estimated at $53. You'll primarily navigate the Adirondack Northway, NY 17, and NJ 17, experiencing a mixed drive profile. This route keeps you within the Northeast region, offering a straightforward transition between two New York locations. It's a practical option for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
160.5 miles from Hempstead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 18m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 30m. Total distance: 321 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This route features a 51% highway share, indicating a good balance between faster-paced travel and potentially more varied road conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 143.5 miles on the Adirondack Northway, so be prepared for some sustained driving. The 'mixed drive' profile suggests you'll encounter different types of roads, transitioning from what might be quicker highway segments to potentially more local or scenic stretches as you progress north. This variety means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate loop the entire time.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 44 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Adirondack Northway is the longest continuous segment at about 143.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 24.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 29 significant decision points across 321 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 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; at 32.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
9
25.2 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
8
32.2 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
8
47.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
NY 17
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State...
8
159 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 23
Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hempstead, NY and Plattsburgh, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark and Mahwah - among others.
Upper Level
22.4 mi in
|
~34m
|
via I 95; US 1
Njtp South: Hackensack
24.9 mi in
|
~37m
Gsp South
32 mi in
|
~47m
Gsp North
32 mi in
|
~47m
Newark
32 mi in
|
~47m
Mahwah
32 mi in
|
~47m
New York State Thruway North: Albany
47.3 mi in
|
~1h 7m
|
via NY 17
Troy
159 mi in
|
~3h 16m
Saratoga Springs
168.6 mi in
|
~3h 30m
Glens Falls
172 mi in
|
~3h 34m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adirondack Northway | 143.5 mi | 2h 46m |
| NY 17 | 111.7 mi | 2h 8m |
| NJ 17 | 14.7 mi | 18m |
| I 787 | 9 mi | 12m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Clearview Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| NY 7 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Adirondack Northway
— 143.5 mi, about 2h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Plattsburgh, 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 right at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 72A
Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto NJ 4
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
NJ 4
Use the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, Mahwah
Use the straight lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
NJ 17
27
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 17
28
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
I 287; NY 17
29
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
112 mi
·
2 hr 8 min
·
NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 23
Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy
Use the slight right lane.
31
Continue on I 787
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
I 787
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 787
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
NY 787
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 9W
Toward NY 7 West: Schenectady, Saratoga Springs
Use the right lane.
34
Merge onto NY 7
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
NY 7
35
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 87 North: Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls
36
Merge onto I 87
143 mi
·
2 hr 46 min
·
Adirondack Northway
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 36
Toward NY 22: Plattsburgh International Airport
38
Turn right onto NY 22
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
NY 22
39
At end of road, turn left onto NY 22
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
South Peru Street
40
Turn left onto NY 22
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Catherine Street
41
Turn right onto NY 22
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Broad Street
42
Turn left onto NY 22
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Oak Street
43
Turn right onto NY 3
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Cornelia Street
44
Arrive at destination
US 9
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour and 30-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Hempstead to maximize daylight and arrive in Plattsburgh with time to spare. With one recommended stop, plan to break up the 321 miles around the halfway point, perhaps during that longest 143.5-mile stretch on the Adirondack Northway, to stretch your legs and refuel. The estimated $53 fuel cost is manageable, but it's always wise to have a buffer. Keep an eye on signage for the Adirondack Northway, NY 17, and NJ 17, as these are your key arteries for this journey.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 160.5 miles from Hempstead, NY, or about 3h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.5 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 71 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.5 miles or 3h 18m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plattsburgh, 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 321 miles and 6h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 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 Adirondack Northway for about 143.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 160.5 mi from Hempstead, NY · 3h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 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 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 160.5 miles from Hempstead, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Adirondack Northway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 143.5 miles.
Arriving in Plattsburgh, NY
The final approach into Plattsburgh, 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 Plattsburgh, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.84 one way
$105.68 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
112 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $57.14 | $114.27 |
| premium | $4.92 | $62.22 | $124.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $70.87 | $141.75 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.69
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
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
$53
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$101–$126
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.3 | 1 | $33.71 | $15.41 |
| Efficient EV | 80.3 | 0 | $28.09 | $12.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 128.4 | 1 | $44.94 | $20.54 |
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Plattsburgh, NY
Late night in Plattsburgh on Friday
Local time
5:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
161 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 30m 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 Plattsburgh, NY covers 321 miles and takes about 6h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Adirondack Northway, NY 17, NJ 17. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 160.5 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 $52.84 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 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 demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 321 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 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; at 32.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Hempstead, NY and Plattsburgh, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark and Mahwah - among others.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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