Trip from Hempstead, NY to Chautauqua, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

8h 36m

Distance

401.8 mi

647 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$66

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min

4 AM

8h 29m ★

6 AM

8h 36m

8 AM

8h 52m

10 AM

8h 42m

12 PM

8h 40m

3 PM

8h 43m

5 PM

8h 51m

8 PM

8h 32m

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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Chautauqua, NY

Beth Fitzpatrick

Trip Overview

The drive from Hempstead, NY to Chautauqua, NY covers 401.8 miles and takes about 8h 36m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on Keystone Shortway, Christopher Columbus Highway, Jackson Run Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 200 miles on Keystone Shortway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $66.14 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

200.9 miles from Hempstead, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 1m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Keystone Shortway	200 mi	3h 44m
Christopher Columbus Highway	68.2 mi	1h 20m
Jackson Run Road	12.5 mi	17m
US 219	12.3 mi	18m
West Lake Road	10.2 mi	15m
Montmorenci Road	8.8 mi	13m
PA 948	8.6 mi	12m
State Park Road	7.5 mi	13m

Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 200 mi, about 3h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

195 mi · 3 hr 35 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Turn straight onto PA 153

7.5 mi · 13 min · State Park Road

Continue on PA 153

5.0 mi · 8 min · Hoovertown Road

Continue on PA 153

3.7 mi · 6 min · Penfield Road

At end of road, turn right onto US 219

12 mi · 18 min · US 219

Turn right onto PA 948

1.0 mi · 2 min · Montmorenci Avenue

Continue on PA 948

8.8 mi · 13 min · Montmorenci Road

Continue on PA 948

5.4 mi · 7 min · Highland Road

At end of road, turn left onto PA 66

2.7 mi · 3 min · Kane-Russell City Road

Take the exit onto PA 948

8.6 mi · 12 min · PA 948

Continue on PA 666

2.3 mi · 4 min · PA 666

At end of road, turn left onto US 6

1.2 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

Continue on US 6

4.5 mi · 6 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway

Continue on US 6

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

Continue on US 6

2.9 mi · 4 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway

Continue on US 6

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Main Street

Continue on US 6

1.8 mi · 3 min · Crescent Park

Use the straight lane.

Continue on Crescent Park

0.4 mi · 1 min · Crescent Park

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto Hickory Bridge

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Hickory Bridge

Use the right lane.

Continue on Hickory Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Hickory Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn right onto US 62

0.2 mi · 23 sec · West 4th Avenue

Turn left onto US 62

2.1 mi · 2 min · Market Street

Turn left onto PA 69

8.8 mi · 12 min · Jackson Run Road

Continue on PA 69

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Main Street

Continue on PA 69

3.6 mi · 5 min · Jackson Run Road

Continue on PA 69

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Mechanic Street

At end of road, turn right onto PA 69; PA 957

403 ft · 13 sec · Main Street

Turn left onto PA 69

0.6 mi · 1 min · Forrest Street

Continue on PA 69

1.0 mi · 1 min · Big Tree Road

Continue on CR 69

3.9 mi · 6 min · Big Tree-Sugar Grove Road

Continue on CR 69

2.6 mi · 4 min · Big Tree Road

Turn left onto NY 394

0.3 mi · 40 sec · West Fairmount Avenue

Continue on NY 394

10 mi · 15 min · West Lake Road

Turn right

406 ft · 35 sec

Turn right

90 ft · 8 sec

Turn left onto Ramble Avenue

0.2 mi · 1 min · Ramble Avenue

Turn right onto Pratt Avenue

132 ft · 12 sec · Pratt Avenue

Turn left onto Ames Avenue

36 ft · 2 sec · Ames Avenue

Arrive at destination

Ames Avenue

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 200.9 miles from Hempstead, NY, or about 4h 1m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 200 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 88 miles or 1h 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 200.9 miles or 4h 1m in

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

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 200.9 miles or 4h 1m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h

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

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Hempstead, NY

Aim for roughly 201 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Chautauqua, NY

Aim for roughly 201 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Hempstead, NY.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 200 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Waverly, NY

201 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Waverly, NY

Overnight Options

Night 1

Waverly, NY

201 mi · about 4.3h in

A practical overnight split lands near Waverly, NY after about 201 miles or 4.3 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 88 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waverly, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 200.9 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 Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 200 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 201 miles or 4.3 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Farm Table Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Clearfield, Pennsylvania

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 287

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18142054405

Visit website

Bite Food & Coffee Co

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hackensack, New Jersey

2.2 mi

Rumba Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Leonia, New Jersey

2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

South Hackensack, New Jersey

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 28.7

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12014265898

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hackensack, New Jersey

1.6 mi

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Englewood, New Jersey

2.6 mi

Cafe HESED

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.7

Little Ferry, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+12018706071

Visit website

Farm Table Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 287

Clearfield, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18142054405

Visit website

Bite Food & Coffee Co

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 28.7

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12015602269

Visit website

Rumba Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 28.7

Leonia, New Jersey

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12013630008

Hapgoods Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 57.4

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19732993399

Visit website

Cafe Tropical Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.7

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12018800669

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately mile 28.7

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12014871088

Visit website

Fasil Mediterranean Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 57.4

Boonton, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19739173334

Visit website

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 28.7

South Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12014265898

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.7

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 28.7

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12015675111

Visit website

C Squared Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.7

Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12014259120

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.7

New York, New York

+19172614093

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 287

Clearfield, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 57.4

Denville, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 172.2

Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

SWTCH Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 143.5

Drums, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18447982438

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 143.5

Mountain Top, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Chautauqua Institution

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 401.8

Chautauqua, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17163576250

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 28.7

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12014085555

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 37

5 decision points cluster between mile 8.1 and 27.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$66.14 one way

$132.28 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 141 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.52	$71.52	$143.03
premium	$4.92	$77.88	$155.75
diesel	$5.61	$88.71	$177.42

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

$66

Tolls

$23

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$219–$329

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 140.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	120.5	1	$42.19	$19.29
Efficient EV	100.5	1	$35.16	$16.07
EV Truck/SUV	160.7	2	$56.25	$25.72

Gas CO2

141 kg

EV CO2

47 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 as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Hempstead, NY

Afternoon in Hempstead on Saturday

Local time

2:38 PM

EDT

Current temp

83°F

Partly Sunny

S 12 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Destination

Chautauqua, NY

Afternoon in Chautauqua on Saturday

Local time

2:38 PM

EDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

48°F

Waverly, NY

201 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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

40 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

8h 36m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

401.8 mi in 8h 36m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

65 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 200 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 37 significant decision points across 401.8 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.

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 Chautauqua, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Hackensack, Hackensack and Penfield.

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

Penfield

296.5 mi in | ~5h 47m

About the Cities

Starting in Hempstead, NY

Full guide →

Hempstead is the most populous town in America, with a whopping 700,000 residents, located on the South Shore of Nassau County, New York. The town is highly urbanized and fragmented, containing 22 semi-autonomous villages within its boundaries, and forty other neighborhoods. Garden City, encompassing the "Nassau Hub" region, has its own article. The other prominent communities in Hempstead include Floral Park, Hempstead Village, Valley Stream, Rockville Centre, Freeport, Merrick, and the Five Towns area.

Top landmarks

• Mitchel Air Force Base — US Air Force base in Long Island, New York

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Solo Traveler

8h 36m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 200 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 201 miles on day one.

Expect about $22.97 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Chautauqua, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 8.6 hours each way, a round trip means 17.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Chautauqua, NY before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Hempstead, NY to Chautauqua, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Farm Table Restaurant

Wonderland Play and Party

Cafe HESED

Farm Table Restaurant

Bite Food & Coffee Co

Rumba Cafe

Hapgoods Restaurant & Bar

Cafe Tropical Restaurant

Chuck E. Cheese

Fasil Mediterranean Restaurant

Wonderland Play and Party

Marimba Cafe

Lily and Liam

C Squared Cafe

Duaa’s Cafe

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

SWTCH Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Chautauqua Institution

Overpeck Park Playground

Teaneck Creek Conservancy

Overpeck County Park

Bowler City

Long Island Children's Museum

New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame

Xtreme Energy

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Hempstead, NY

Chautauqua, NY

Same local time

40 degrees cooler at arrival

8h 36m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

General Grant National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Stonewall National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

Federal Hall National Memorial

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Hempstead, NY

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I split this drive into multiple days?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

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