Trip from Hempstead, NY to Watervliet, NY

Drive Time

3h 33m

Distance

169.4 mi

273 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 21m ★

6 AM

3h 34m

8 AM

3h 58m

10 AM

3h 42m

12 PM

3h 40m

3 PM

3h 43m

5 PM

3h 57m

8 PM

3h 26m

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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Watervliet, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Hempstead to Watervliet, expect a straightforward journey covering 169.4 miles. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 3 hours and 33 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your route primarily utilizes NY 17, NJ 17, and I-787 to navigate through the Northeast. Budgeting approximately $28 for fuel will cover your travel expenses for this one-way trek. Since this is a highway-focused drive, it is best suited for those who prefer consistent speeds over navigating local backroads. Planning for one stop along the way will help you break up the time effectively.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

84.7 miles from Hempstead, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a trip defined by efficiency, as roughly 93% of your journey is spent on highways. The road's personality is primarily a fast-paced interstate grind, allowing you to cover ground quickly. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on NY 17, where you will spend 111.7 miles maintaining a steady pace. As you transition between these major thoroughfares, the environment remains consistent, focusing on high-speed connectivity rather than technical turns. This is a practical route designed for drivers who want a direct, no-nonsense connection between these two New York locations.

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

There are about 43 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

NY 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 111.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.9 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 169.4 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 28 key points

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

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 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

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

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 none lane. Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State...

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 Along This Route

Between Hempstead, NY and Watervliet, 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

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
NY 17	111.7 mi	2h 8m
NJ 17	14.7 mi	18m
I 787	8.4 mi	11m
NJ 4	6.7 mi	9m
Cross Bronx Expressway	6.6 mi	8m
Clearview Expressway	5 mi	5m
Tulip Avenue	2 mi	3m
Throgs Neck Bridge	2 mi	3m

Longest stretch: NY 17 — 111.7 mi, about 2h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Watervliet, 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

Use the none lane.

Turn slight left onto NY 24

2.0 mi · 3 min · Hempstead Turnpike

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road

0.4 mi · 53 sec · New Hyde Park Road

Use the none lane.

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

Use the none lane.

Turn slight right onto NY 25

1.2 mi · 2 min · Braddock Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto NY 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hillside Avenue

Use the none lane.

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 none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 295

6.6 mi · 8 min · Cross Bronx Expressway

Use the none / 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 95 EXPR; NJTP

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

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

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Exit 72A Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto NJ 4

6.7 mi · 9 min · NJ 4

Use the none / slight right lanes.

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.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 36 sec

Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto NJ 17

3.3 mi · 4 min · NJ 17

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on NJ 17

7.3 mi · 9 min · NJ 17

Use the none lane.

Continue on NJ 17

0.7 mi · 50 sec · NJ 17

Use the none lane.

Continue on NJ 17

3.3 mi · 4 min · NJ 17

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 287; NY 17

0.2 mi · 10 sec · I 287; NY 17

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 none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 50 sec

Exit 23 Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 787

8.4 mi · 11 min · I 787

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto 8

0.2 mi · 35 sec · 8

Exit 8 Toward Watervliet, Green Island Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto 23rd Street

0.2 mi · 38 sec · 23rd Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto NY 32

0.2 mi · 33 sec · 2nd Avenue

Turn left onto NY 2

334 ft · 9 sec · 19th Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on NY 2

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Congress Street

Turn slight right

0.1 mi · 29 sec

Turn right onto Division Street

221 ft · 6 sec · Division Street

Continue on Front Street

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Front Street

Turn right onto Congress Street

217 ft · 10 sec · Congress Street

Turn right onto NY 2

438 ft · 12 sec · River Street

Continue on NY 2

0.3 mi · 48 sec · 19th Street

Arrive at destination

NY 2

Trip Plan

To ensure a smooth journey, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, as highway-heavy routes can become congested during morning or evening commutes. Since the drive is under four hours, you have the flexibility to power through or take a single, strategic break to stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 111.7-mile stretch on NY 17, as service opportunities may vary compared to more urban interstate sections. Having that $28 fuel budget ready in advance will simplify your stops. Use the flexibility of this one-day itinerary to adjust your departure time based on real-time traffic reports for I-787.

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 84.7 miles from Hempstead, NY, or about 1h 50m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.7 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 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 84.7 miles or 1h 50m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Watervliet, 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 169.4 miles and 3h 33m.

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 NY 17 for about 111.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 84.7 mi from Hempstead, NY · 1h 50m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

85 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 84.7 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 NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.7 miles.

Arriving in Watervliet, NY

The final approach into Watervliet, 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 Watervliet, 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

$27.58 one way

$55.16 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.48	$29.89	$59.77
premium	$4.88	$32.57	$65.13
diesel	$5.64	$37.63	$75.27

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

$28

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$75–$100

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 59.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	50.8	$17.79	$8.13
Efficient EV	42.4	$14.82	$6.78
EV Truck/SUV	67.8	$23.72	$10.84

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 2 days ago

Origin

Hempstead, NY

Afternoon in Hempstead on Sunday

Local time

4:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Watervliet, NY

Afternoon in Watervliet on Sunday

Local time

4:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

59°F

Ramapo, NY

85 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 warmer at arrival

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

Road read

3h 33m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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 Watervliet, NY covers 169.4 miles and takes about 3h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are NY 17, NJ 17, I 787. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 84.7 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 $27.58 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Between Hempstead, NY and Watervliet, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark and Mahwah - among others.

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Return Trip

Watervliet, NY to Hempstead, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

168.9 mi 3h 32m

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Trip from Hempstead, NY to Watervliet, 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 Watervliet, NY

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Hempstead, NY

Watervliet, NY

Same local time

18 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 33m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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