Origin
Hempstead, NY
Night in Hempstead on Wednesday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hempstead, NY to Potsdam, NY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
7h 50m
Distance
358.7 mi
577 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 42m
★
6 AM
7h 51m
8 AM
8h 9m
10 AM
7h 57m
12 PM
7h 56m
3 PM
7h 58m
5 PM
8h 8m
8 PM
7h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Potsdam, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Hempstead, NY to Potsdam, NY covers 358.7 miles and takes about 7h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Clinton Street, Front Street, Hempstead Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $59.04 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
179.3 miles from Hempstead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 55m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 7h 50m drive with frequent turns across 358.7 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.
Clinton Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 50m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Hempstead, NY to Potsdam, NY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Clinton Street | — | — |
| Front Street | — | — |
| Hempstead Turnpike | — | — |
| New Hyde Park Road | — | — |
| Tulip Avenue | — | — |
| Jamaica Avenue | — | — |
| Braddock Avenue | — | — |
| Hillside Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Clinton Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Potsdam, NY.
1
Start on Peninsula Boulevard
79 ft
·
1 sec
·
Peninsula Boulevard
2
Turn left onto Clinton Street
361 ft
·
18 sec
·
Clinton Street
3
Turn left onto Front Street
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
4
Turn slight left onto Hempstead Turnpike
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
7
Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Jamaica Avenue
8
Turn slight right onto Braddock Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Braddock Avenue
9
Turn left onto Hillside Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hillside Avenue
10
Turn right onto Clearview Expressway
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Clearview Expressway
11
Continue on Throgs Neck Bridge
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
12
Continue on Throgs Neck Expressway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
13
Keep slight left to continue on Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
14
Keep slight left to continue on Trans-Manhattan Expressway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
15
Continue on George Washington Bridge (upper level)
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
16
Continue straight
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
17
Keep slight left
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
18
Keep slight left
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
19
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
20
Keep slight right to continue on NJ 4 West: Paramus
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
NJ 4 West: Paramus
21
Merge slight right
6.7 mi
·
9 min
22
Take the exit straight toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, Mahwah
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, Mahwah
23
Keep slight right to continue on NJ 17 North: Mahwah
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
NJ 17 North: Mahwah
24
Merge slight left
3.3 mi
·
4 min
25
Continue straight
7.3 mi
·
9 min
26
Continue straight
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
27
Continue straight
3.3 mi
·
4 min
28
Continue straight
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
29
Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
112 mi
·
2 hr 8 min
·
I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
30
Take the exit slight right toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy
31
Continue straight
9.0 mi
·
12 min
32
Keep slight left
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
33
Take the exit slight right toward NY 7 West: Schenectady, Saratoga Springs
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
NY 7 West: Schenectady, Saratoga Springs
34
Merge slight left
3.1 mi
·
3 min
35
Take the exit slight right toward I 87 North: Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 87 North: Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls
36
Merge slight left onto Adirondack Northway
71 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
Adirondack Northway
37
Take the exit slight right toward US 9: Pottersville, Minerva
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 9: Pottersville, Minerva
38
Turn left onto Valley Farm Road
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
Valley Farm Road
39
At the end of the road, turn right
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
40
Turn slight left onto Olmstedville Road
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Olmstedville Road
41
Continue on County Highway 29
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
County Highway 29
42
Keep slight right to continue on Donnelly Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Donnelly Road
43
Continue on A P Morse Highway
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
A P Morse Highway
44
Turn straight onto State Highway 28N
30 mi
·
41 min
·
State Highway 28N
45
Continue on Newcomb Road
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Newcomb Road
46
Continue on State Highway 28N
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 28N
47
Turn right onto Adirondack Trail
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Adirondack Trail
48
Turn slight left onto Lake Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Lake Street
49
Continue on Adirondack Trail
18 mi
·
25 min
·
Adirondack Trail
50
Continue on Moody Road
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
Moody Road
51
Continue on Adirondack Trail
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Adirondack Trail
52
Continue on Wawbeek Avenue
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Wawbeek Avenue
53
Turn right onto Park Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Park Street
54
Turn left onto Mill Street
282 ft
·
13 sec
·
Mill Street
55
Turn right onto Lake Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Lake Street
56
Continue on Demars Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Demars Boulevard
57
Continue on Main Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
58
Continue on State Route 3
15 mi
·
20 min
·
State Route 3
59
Turn right onto State Highway 56
31 mi
·
47 min
·
State Highway 56
60
Continue on Pierrepont Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Pierrepont Avenue
61
Continue on Park Street
446 ft
·
17 sec
·
Park Street
62
At the end of the road, turn right onto Elm Street
282 ft
·
10 sec
·
Elm Street
63
Arrive at your destination
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 179.3 miles from Hempstead, NY, or about 3h 55m into the drive.
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 79 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.3 miles or 3h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Potsdam, 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 358.7 miles and 7h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 179.3 mi from Hempstead, NY · 3h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
179 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 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 179.3 miles from Hempstead, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Potsdam, NY
The final approach into Potsdam, 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 Potsdam, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.04 one way
$118.09 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
126 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $63.85 | $127.69 |
| premium | $4.92 | $69.52 | $139.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $79.20 | $158.39 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.55
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
$0.00
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
$59
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$107–$132
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 107.6 | 1 | $37.66 | $17.22 |
| Efficient EV | 89.7 | 1 | $31.39 | $14.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 143.5 | 1 | $50.22 | $22.96 |
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Destination
Potsdam, NY
Night in Potsdam on Wednesday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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 50m 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 Potsdam, NY covers 358.7 miles and takes about 7h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Clinton Street, Front Street, Hempstead Turnpike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 179.3 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 $59.04 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.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 50m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Hempstead, NY to Potsdam, NY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Hempstead, NY to Potsdam, NY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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