Trip from Jefferson, NY to Hempstead, NY

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 59m

Distance

174.7 mi

281 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 46m ★

6 AM

3h 59m

8 AM

4h 25m

10 AM

4h 8m

12 PM

4h 6m

3 PM

4h 10m

5 PM

4h 24m

8 PM

3h 52m

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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Jefferson, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Jefferson to Hempstead covers 174.7 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 59 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a straightforward, mixed-drive route, it is easily managed as a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $28 for fuel to complete the journey. The path transitions through the Northeast, moving from the more rural character of Jefferson toward the suburban environment of Hempstead. With one planned stop, you can comfortably navigate the distance while maintaining a steady pace. It is a practical route for those looking to reach Long Island from upstate New York efficiently.

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

87.4 miles from Jefferson, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive offers a varied experience behind the wheel, as it is composed of 48% highway travel. You will navigate a blend of roads, including the New York State Thruway, State Route 23A, and NJ 17, which creates a shifting pace throughout the trip. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the New York State Thruway, covering 70.5 miles of the journey. Expect the road personality to evolve as you transition from smaller state routes onto high-speed highway systems. This mix ensures the drive remains engaging rather than feeling like a monotonous interstate grind.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 48 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

New York State Thruway is the longest continuous segment at about 70.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 126.6 miles in near NY 17.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 174.7 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 126.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 23 key points

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

126.6 mi into trip | ~2h 49m in | NY 17

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey

128 mi into trip | ~2h 51m in | NJ 17

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah

142.1 mi into trip | ~3h 10m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York

149.3 mi into trip | ~3h 20m in

Take the exit toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge

157 mi into trip | ~3h 31m in | I 295 / Cross Bronx Expressway

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

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 6B Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Jefferson, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.

Gsp South: Paterson

142 mi in | ~3h 9m

Fort Lee

142 mi in | ~3h 9m

New York

142 mi in | ~3h 9m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
New York State Thruway	70.5 mi	1h 21m
State Route 23A	17.4 mi	26m
NJ 17	14.1 mi	18m
State Highway 23	13.4 mi	19m
State Highway 10	6.7 mi	9m
NJ 4	6.7 mi	9m
Cross Bronx Expressway	6.6 mi	8m
King's Highway	5.8 mi	7m

Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 70.5 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson, NY and Hempstead, NY.

Start on CR 2A

78 ft · 2 sec · North Harpersfield Road

Continue on NY 10

0.7 mi · 1 min · State Highway 10

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 10

1.2 mi · 1 min · State Highway 10

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 10

4.8 mi · 6 min · State Highway 10

Continue on NY 10

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lake Street

Turn left onto NY 23

0.2 mi · 36 sec · Harper Street

Turn slight right onto NY 23

0.8 mi · 2 min · Main Street

Continue on NY 23

2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 23

Continue on NY 23

11 mi · 16 min · State Highway 23

Continue on NY 23A

14 mi · 20 min · State Route 23A

Continue on NY 23A

2.0 mi · 2 min · Main Street

Continue on NY 23A

2.4 mi · 3 min · State Route 23A

Continue on NY 23A

1.6 mi · 4 min · Main Street

Continue on NY 23A

5.2 mi · 8 min · State Highway 23A

Continue on NY 23A

1.0 mi · 2 min · State Route 23A

Turn slight right onto NY 32A

0.4 mi · 44 sec · State Route 32A

Continue on NY 32A

1.5 mi · 2 min · State Highway 32A

Continue on NY 32

5.8 mi · 7 min · King's Highway

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Merge onto I 87

71 mi · 1 hr 21 min · New York State Thruway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17

0.9 mi · 59 sec · NY 17

Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17

14 mi · 18 min · NJ 17

Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec

Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4

Use the right lane.

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec

Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 295

2.0 mi · 2 min · Cross Bronx Expressway

Exit 6B Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto NY 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hillside Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto NY 25

1.1 mi · 2 min · Braddock Avenue

Turn left onto NY 25

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Jamaica Avenue

Continue on NY 25

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Jericho Turnpike

Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue

2.0 mi · 3 min · Tulip Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road

0.4 mi · 56 sec · New Hyde Park Road

Turn left onto NY 24

2.0 mi · 3 min · Hempstead Turnpike

Use the left lane.

Turn slight right onto NY 102

0.8 mi · 1 min · Front Street

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto Greenwich Street

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Greenwich Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Peninsula Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Arrive at destination

Peninsula Boulevard

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 4-hour drive, try to depart early to avoid potential congestion on the highway segments. Since you only have one planned stop, use that break to refuel and stretch your legs before tackling the final leg of the trip. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $28, so it is wise to monitor your gauge before hitting the more rural stretches. Because the highway share is balanced with local roads, remain alert for changing speed limits as you transition between the Thruway and NJ 17. The flexibility of this one-day itinerary allows you to adjust your departure time based on local traffic patterns.

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 87.4 miles from Jefferson, NY, or about 2h 4m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.5 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 38 miles or 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 87.4 miles or 2h 4m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hempstead, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, NY

This is one driving day of about 174.7 miles and 3h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Jefferson, 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 New York State Thruway for about 70.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 87.4 mi from Jefferson, NY · 2h 4m into the drive

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

87 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

Hunter, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ramapo, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.4 miles from Jefferson, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.5 miles.

Arriving in Hempstead, NY

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.76 one way

$57.51 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.52	$31.10	$62.19
premium	$4.92	$33.86	$67.72
diesel	$5.61	$38.57	$77.14

Estimated Tolls: $26.26

George Washington Bridge $16.00

Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55

New York State Thruway (70.5 mi) $3.53

Hempstead Turnpike (2 mi) $0.14

Jericho Turnpike (0.5 mi) $0.04

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

$29

Tolls

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$80–$105

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	52.4	$18.34	$8.39
Efficient EV	43.7	$15.29	$6.99
EV Truck/SUV	69.9	$24.46	$11.18

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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 13, 2026

Origin

Jefferson, NY

Late night in Jefferson on Thursday

Local time

12:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hempstead, NY

Late night in Hempstead on Thursday

Local time

12:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Mostly Cloudy

SW 10 to 17 mph 9% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 13 at 12:55AM EDT until April 13 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Burlington VT

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 12:22AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

57°F

Ramapo, NY

87 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

27 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 59m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Jefferson, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 174.7 miles and takes about 3h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are New York State Thruway, State Route 23A, NJ 17. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 87.4 miles from Jefferson, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.76 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 Jefferson, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.

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Trip from Jefferson, NY to Hempstead, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Hempstead, NY

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Jefferson, NY

Hempstead, NY

Same local time

27 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 59m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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