Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 11m
Distance
96 mi
154 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Highland, NY
Abhishek Navlakha
This 96-mile drive from Highland, NY to Hempstead, NY will take you approximately 2 hours and 11 minutes, making it a perfect option for a single-day trip. You'll primarily navigate the New York State Thruway, US 9W, and NJ 17, with 58% of the journey on highways. Expect a mixed drive profile, offering a blend of faster road sections and potentially more local driving. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, this route is budget-friendly for a quick getaway within the Northeast region. Since there are no recommended stops and the longest uninterrupted stretch is 29 miles, you can easily complete this journey without an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
48 miles from Highland, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
The character of this 96-mile drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 58% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience stretches on the New York State Thruway, a significant portion of which, up to 29 miles, can be driven without interruption. The inclusion of US 9W and NJ 17 suggests a transition between faster-paced highway travel and potentially more varied road conditions as you approach your destination. This mixed drive profile means you'll encounter different driving experiences, from open highway cruising to navigating more built-up areas.
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 15.2 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 96 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 15.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward I 84 West, NY 52 West
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 87: New York City, Albany, New York State Thruway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Highland, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York State Thruway, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Albany
New York State Thruway
Gsp South: Paterson
Fort Lee
New York
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 29 mi | 33m |
| US 9W | 14.5 mi | 20m |
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cross Bronx Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Clearview Expressway | 5 mi | 5m |
| I 84 | 2 mi | 2m |
| Tulip Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Highland, NY and Hempstead, NY.
Start on White Street
Turn left onto Vineyard Avenue
Turn left onto US 44; NY 55
Turn right onto US 9W; US 44; NY 55
Keep slight left at fork onto US 9W; US 44; NY 55
Turn right onto NY 32
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 84; NY 52
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto NJ 4
Continue on NJ 4
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
Continue on I 95; US 1
Continue on I 95; US 1
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
Merge onto I 295
Continue on I 295
Continue on I 295
Turn left onto NY 25
Turn right onto NY 25
Turn left onto NY 25
Continue on NY 25
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
Turn left onto NY 24
Turn slight right onto NY 102
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
Arrive at destination
Given the 2-hour duration, departing from Highland, NY, in the morning should allow you to reach Hempstead, NY, with plenty of daylight. With an estimated fuel cost of $16 for the 96-mile trip, keeping your fuel tank topped up will be straightforward. Since no specific stops are recommended and the longest continuous drive is 29 miles, you have the flexibility to pull over for breaks as needed. Consider the traffic patterns on the New York State Thruway, US 9W, and NJ 17, especially during peak commuting hours, as this could impact your travel time.
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.
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 21 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48 miles or 1h 1m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hempstead, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Highland, 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 Highland, NY
This is one driving day of about 96 miles and 2h 11m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48 mi from Highland, NY · 1h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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.
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 48 miles from Highland, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Hempstead, 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 Hempstead, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$15.80 one way
$31.60 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $17.09 | $34.17 |
| premium | $4.92 | $18.61 | $37.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.20 | $42.39 |
Estimated Tolls: $24.18
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
$16
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.08 | $4.61 |
| Efficient EV | 24 | 0 | $8.40 | $3.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.44 | $6.14 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Highland on Thursday
Local time
12:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 14 at 12:03PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Late night in Hempstead on Thursday
Local time
12:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Sunny
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 14 at 12:03PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
57°F
Ramapo, NY
48 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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