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Trip from New Hempstead, NY to Brooklyn, NY

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

1h 8m

Distance

44.8 mi

72 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 16 min
4 AM
1h 3m ★
6 AM
1h 9m
8 AM
1h 19m
10 AM
1h 12m
12 PM
1h 11m
3 PM
1h 13m
5 PM
1h 19m
8 PM
1h 5m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown New Hempstead, NY, NY

New Hempstead, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

borough of New York City, New York, United States

Brooklyn, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from New Hempstead to Brooklyn covers approximately 42.1 miles and typically requires about 1 hour and 14 minutes of driving time. Because this journey stays entirely within New York, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting about $7 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire distance. Since there are no required stops along the way, the trip remains straightforward and efficient. This route is an ideal choice if you are looking to get from the suburbs of the Northeast into the city without an overly complicated itinerary.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 8m. Total distance: 44.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate via Highway 45, North Main Street, and East Central Avenue, which keeps you off the major expressways for the duration of the trip. Because the longest stretch on Highway 45 is negligible, you should prepare for constant maneuvering through local environments. This setup creates a hands-on driving experience where your focus remains on local navigation rather than maintaining a steady highway pace. It is a practical, direct path that prioritizes local connectivity over long-distance transit speeds.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NJ 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 9.3 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

581 ft 3 ft

Total Climb

77 ft

Total Descent

609 ft

Highest Point

581 ft

Elevation Range

577 ft

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 4.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 44.8 miles you will encounter 22 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 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

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

8
4.4 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit toward Garden State Parkway, New Jersey

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 14A Toward Garden State Parkway, New Jersey
8
16.3 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward NJ 17 South: Paramus, George Washington Bridge

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 163 Toward NJ 17 South: Paramus, George Washington...
8
33.5 mi into trip | ~44m in

Take the exit toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
8
38.2 mi into trip | ~55m in

Take the exit toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Exit 2 Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
7
41.3 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in | NY 27

Take the exit onto NY 27 toward NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway

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

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 24 Toward NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between New Hempstead, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward New Jersey, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway, Hoboken and Manhattan.

New Jersey

4.4 mi in | ~7m

Jersey City

33.4 mi in | ~43m | via US 1; US 9

Pulaski Skyway

33.4 mi in | ~43m | via US 1; US 9

Hoboken

33.5 mi in | ~44m

Manhattan

35.1 mi in | ~47m | via I 78

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
NJ 17 9.3 mi 11m
Garden State Parkway Connector 8.1 mi 9m
NJ 3 4.2 mi 4m
North Main Street 2.9 mi 5m
Garden State Parkway 2.8 mi 3m
Tonnelle Avenue 2.6 mi 3m
Holland Tunnel 1.9 mi 4m
NY 27 1.8 mi 3m
Longest stretch: NJ 17 — 9.3 mi, about 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on NY 45

83 ft · 3 sec · State Highway 45
2

Continue on NY 45

2.9 mi · 5 min · North Main Street
3

Turn left onto NY 59

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Central Avenue
Use the straight lane.
4

Take the ramp onto Forman Road

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Forman Road
5

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 29 sec · this road
Toward I 87 North, I 287 West: New York State Thruway North
6

Merge onto I 87; I 287

0.3 mi · 20 sec · New York State Thruway
7

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 14A Toward Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on Garden State Parkway Connector

8.1 mi · 9 min · Garden State Parkway Connector
Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto GSP

2.8 mi · 3 min · Garden State Parkway
10

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 163 Toward NJ 17 South: Paramus, George Washington Bridge Use the slight right lane.
11

Merge onto NJ 17

9.3 mi · 11 min · NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
13

Merge onto NJ 3

4.2 mi · 4 min · NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on US 1; US 9

2.5 mi · 3 min · Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Tonnelle Avenue
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel Use the left lane.
17

Merge onto NJ 139

0.7 mi · 1 min · Conrail Viaduct
18

Continue on NJ 139

0.4 mi · 32 sec · 12th Street Viaduct
19

Continue on I 78

0.3 mi · 54 sec · 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Keep slight left at fork onto I 78

1.9 mi · 4 min · Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
21

Take the exit

428 ft · 14 sec
Toward NY 9A
22

Turn slight left onto Laight Street

0.2 mi · 48 sec · Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
23

At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A

0.9 mi · 2 min · West Street
Use the straight lane.
24

Take the exit

2.6 mi · 5 min
Exit 2 Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn Use the left lane.
25

Continue on I 278

0.6 mi · 50 sec · Gowanus Expressway
26

Take the exit onto NY 27

1.5 mi · 2 min · NY 27
Exit 24 Toward NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway Use the slight left / straight lanes.
27

Take the exit onto NY 27

0.4 mi · 47 sec · NY 27
Exit 5 Toward NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical Center Use the slight right lane.
28

Turn left onto NY 27

1.2 mi · 2 min · Caton Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
29

Continue on NY 27

0.4 mi · 31 sec · Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
30

Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Nostrand Avenue
31

Arrive at destination

Nostrand Avenue

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 22.4 mi from New Hempstead, NY · 30m into the drive

most populous city in the United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New York City, NY

22 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

Chestnut Ridge, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New York City, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 22.4 miles from New Hempstead, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Brooklyn, NY

The final approach into Brooklyn, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$7.37 one way

$14.75 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 16 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $7.97 $15.95
premium $4.92 $8.68 $17.37
diesel $5.61 $9.89 $19.78

Estimated Tolls: $16.67

Holland Tunnel $16.00
Garden State Parkway (11 mi) $0.66
New York State Thruway (0.3 mi) $0.01

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$7

Tolls

$17

Total

$24

Estimated CO2 emission: 15.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 13.4 0 $4.70 $2.15
Efficient EV 11.2 0 $3.92 $1.79
EV Truck/SUV 17.9 0 $6.27 $2.87

Gas CO2

16 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (69% 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 14, 2026

Origin

New Hempstead, NY

Late night in New Hempstead on Friday

Local time

12:12 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brooklyn, NY

Late night in Brooklyn on Friday

Local time

12:12 AM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 3 to 12 mph 9% chance Live forecast

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

22 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

1h 8m 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 New Hempstead, NY to Brooklyn, NY covers 44.8 miles and takes about 1h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NJ 17, Garden State Parkway Connector, NJ 3. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.4 miles from New Hempstead, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.37 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 44.8 miles you will encounter 22 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 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between New Hempstead, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward New Jersey, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway, Hoboken and Manhattan.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 3 ft to 581 ft elevation with about 77 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Castle Clinton National Monument, Federal Hall National Memorial and African Burial Ground National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Brooklyn, NY to New Hempstead, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

44.1 mi 1h 8m

Explore more options from New Hempstead, NY or browse trips ending in Brooklyn, NY.

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