The drive from Hempstead, NY to Lake Carmel, NY covers 69.6 miles and takes about 1h 36m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 684, Hutchinson River Parkway, I 84 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 27 miles on I 684.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.46 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.8 miles from Hempstead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 69.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 36m highway drive covering 69.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 684 and Hutchinson River Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 27 miles on I 684.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 684 is the longest continuous segment at about 27 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 684 and Hutchinson River Parkway. 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 Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.6 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 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
15.8 mi into trip|~25m in|I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway toward I 695 North: New Haven
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10
Toward I 695 North: New Haven
8
18.8 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward Hutchinson Parkway North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9
Toward Hutchinson Parkway North
8
18.9 mi into trip|~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Hutchinson River Parkway North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Hutchinson River Parkway North
8
32.6 mi into trip|~50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 684 North: Brewster
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 16A
Toward I 684 North: Brewster
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 Lake Carmel, NY, road signs point toward Hutchinson Parkway North and Hutchinson River Parkway North.
Hutchinson Parkway North
18.8 mi in|~29m
Hutchinson River Parkway North
18.9 mi in|~30m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 684
27 mi
31m
Hutchinson River Parkway
13.5 mi
19m
I 84
6.3 mi
7m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Throgs Neck Expressway
2.5 mi
3m
Tulip Avenue
2 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Hempstead Turnpike
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 684
— 27 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Lake Carmel, 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 BridgeUse 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 right at fork onto I 695
1.8 mi·2 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Exit 10Toward I 695 North: New HavenUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 95
1.0 mi·1 min·Bruckner Expressway
15
Continue on I 95
0.2 mi·18 sec·New England Thruway
16
Take the exit
430 ft·14 sec
Exit 9Toward Hutchinson Parkway NorthUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Hutchinson River Parkway NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
18
Merge onto HR
14 mi·19 min·Hutchinson River Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
1.6 mi·2 min
Exit 16AToward I 684 North: BrewsterUse the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto I 684
26 mi·30 min·I 684
21
Continue on I 684
0.8 mi·1 min·I 684
Exit |; 9W|9E
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 9WToward I 84 West: NewburghUse the right lane.
23
Merge onto I 84
6.3 mi·7 min·I 84
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 61Toward NY 311: Lake Carmel, Patterson
25
Turn left onto NY 311
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 311
26
Continue on NY 311
459 ft·12 sec·Snadbeck Avenue
27
Turn left onto NY 52
252 ft·5 sec·State Highway 52
28
Turn straight onto NY 52
0.1 mi·10 sec·Snadbeck Avenue
29
Continue on NY 52
0.1 mi·12 sec·State Highway 52
30
Turn right onto Barrett Hill Road
0.1 mi·35 sec·Barrett Hill Road
31
Turn left onto Worthington Drive West
0.1 mi·31 sec·Worthington Drive West
32
Turn slight right onto Waccabuc Road
177 ft·9 sec·Waccabuc Road
33
Turn right onto Coleman Road
75 ft·3 sec·Coleman Road
34
Arrive at destination
Coleman Road
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 34.8 miles from Hempstead, NY, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27 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 15 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.8 miles or 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Carmel, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hempstead, NY
This is one driving day of about 69.6 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Hempstead, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 684 for about 27 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.8 mi from Hempstead, NY
· 52m into the drive
The midpoint is around 34.8 miles from Hempstead, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lake Carmel, NY
The final approach into Lake Carmel, NY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
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.
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 16.8
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 16.8
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...
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 16.8
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.46 one way
$22.91 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$12.39
$24.78
premium
$4.92
$13.49
$26.98
diesel
$5.61
$15.37
$30.73
Estimated Tolls: $6.69
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
$11
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.9
0
$7.31
$3.34
Efficient EV
17.4
0
$6.09
$2.78
EV Truck/SUV
27.8
0
$9.74
$4.45
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (67% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Hempstead, NY
Morning
in Hempstead on Saturday
Local time
8:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lake Carmel, NY
Morning
in Lake Carmel on Saturday
Local time
8:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
34°F
Mount Vernon, NY
35 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
14 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
1h 36m 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 Lake Carmel, NY covers 69.6 miles and takes about 1h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 684, Hutchinson River Parkway, I 84. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.8 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 $11.46 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.6 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Hempstead, NY and Lake Carmel, NY, road signs point toward Hutchinson Parkway North and Hutchinson River Parkway North.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and African Burial Ground National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
