The drive from Putnam Valley, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 59.5 miles and takes about 1h 32m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Taconic State Parkway, Sprain Brook Parkway, Clearview Expressway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 17 miles on Taconic State Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.79 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
29.8 miles from Putnam Valley, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 44m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 59.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 32m highway drive covering 59.5 miles, with most of the trip on Taconic State Parkway and Sprain Brook Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 17 miles on Taconic State Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Taconic State Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 17 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Taconic State Parkway and Sprain Brook Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.1 miles in near Sprain Brook Parkway.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.5 miles you will encounter 25 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 21.1 miles (Sprain Brook Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
21.1 mi into trip|~32m in|Sprain Brook Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto Sprain Brook Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
34.3 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit toward Cross County Parkway East, Mount Vernon
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 11E
Toward Cross County Parkway East, Mount Vernon
8
35.4 mi into trip|~52m in
Take the exit toward NY 22: North Columbus Avenue, Mount Vernon
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 8
Toward NY 22: North Columbus Avenue, Mount Vern...
9
42.2 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695 / Throgs Neck Expressway toward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 7A
Toward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Is...
6
51.4 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|NY 25 / Hillside Avenue
Turn left onto NY 25 / Hillside Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Putnam Valley, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Cross County Parkway East, Mount Vernon and Long Island.
Cross County Parkway East
34.3 mi in|~50m
Mount Vernon
34.3 mi in|~50m
Long Island
42.2 mi in|~1h 4m|via I 695
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Taconic State Parkway
17 mi
23m
Sprain Brook Parkway
12.8 mi
17m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
North Columbus Avenue
2.3 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Expressway
2.2 mi
3m
New England Thruway
2.1 mi
3m
Tulip Avenue
2 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Taconic State Parkway
— 17 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Putnam Valley, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on this road
125 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto CR 20
0.2 mi·29 sec·Oscawana Lake Road
3
Turn left onto Peekskill Hollow Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Peekskill Hollow Road
4
Turn right onto Travis Road
0.2 mi·35 sec·Travis Road
5
Continue on Foothill Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Foothill Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto Strawberry Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Strawberry Road
7
Turn left onto US 6
1.4 mi·2 min·US 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto Taconic State Parkway
17 mi·23 min·Taconic State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto Sprain Brook Parkway
13 mi·17 min·Sprain Brook Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on Bronx River Parkway
0.4 mi·44 sec·Bronx River Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 11EToward Cross County Parkway East, Mount VernonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
0.7 mi·1 min·Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 8Toward NY 22: North Columbus Avenue, Mount VernonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto Parkway South
380 ft·15 sec·Parkway South
Toward NY 22
16
Turn right onto NY 22
2.3 mi·3 min·North Columbus Avenue
17
Continue on NY 22
0.2 mi·17 sec·South 3rd Avenue
18
Continue on NY 22
0.3 mi·1 min·Provost Avenue
19
Continue on Conner Street
0.2 mi·21 sec·Conner Street
20
Turn right onto New England Thruway
0.5 mi·59 sec·New England Thruway
21
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 95 South
22
Merge onto I 95
1.5 mi·2 min·New England Thruway
23
Continue on I 95
1.3 mi·2 min·Bruckner Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 695
2.2 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Exit 7AToward I 695 South: Throgs Neck Bridge, Long IslandUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi·2 min·Braddock Avenue
29
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi·34 sec·Jamaica Avenue
30
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi·56 sec·Jericho Turnpike
31
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
32
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·New Hyde Park Road
33
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi·3 min·Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
34
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the right lane.
35
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
36
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi·26 sec·Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
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 29.8 miles from Putnam Valley, NY, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17 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 13 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.8 miles or 44m 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 15m
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 Putnam Valley, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Putnam Valley, NY
This is one driving day of about 59.5 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Putnam Valley, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Taconic State Parkway for about 17 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.8 mi from Putnam Valley, NY
· 44m into the drive
The midpoint is around 29.8 miles from Putnam Valley, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
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...
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...
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 49.2
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 43.1
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 49.2
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 49.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.79 one way
$19.59 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg21 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$10.59
$21.18
premium
$4.92
$11.53
$23.06
diesel
$5.61
$13.14
$26.27
Estimated Tolls: $6.88
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
Hempstead Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.14
New England Thruway
(1.5 mi)$0.11
New England Thruway
(0.5 mi)$0.04
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
$10
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
17.8
0
$6.25
$2.86
Efficient EV
14.9
0
$5.21
$2.38
EV Truck/SUV
23.8
0
$8.33
$3.81
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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 14, 2026
Origin
Putnam Valley, NY
Morning
in Putnam Valley on Friday
Local time
10:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Morning
in Hempstead on Friday
Local time
10:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Cloudy then Isolated Rain Showers
W 6 to 10 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:26AM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
34°F
Mount Vernon, NY
30 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
13 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 32m 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 Putnam Valley, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 59.5 miles and takes about 1h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Taconic State Parkway, Sprain Brook Parkway, Clearview Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.8 miles from Putnam Valley, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.79 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 59.5 miles you will encounter 25 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 21.1 miles (Sprain Brook Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Putnam Valley, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Cross County Parkway East, Mount Vernon and Long Island.
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.
