The drive from Scottsville, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 341.9 miles and takes about 7h 15m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 81, Keystone Shortway, New York State Thruway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 98.8 miles on I 81.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $56.28 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
171 miles from Scottsville, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 42m into the drive
.
Hempstead is the most populous town in America, with a whopping 700,000 residents, located on the South Shore of Nassau County, New York. The town is highly urbanized and fragmented, containing 22 semi-autonomous villages within its boundaries, and forty other neighborhoods.
Garden City, encompassing the "Nassau Hub" region, has its own article. The other prominent communities in Hempstead include Floral Park, Hempstead Village, Valley Stream, Rockville Centre, Freeport, Merrick, and the Five Towns area.
Top landmarks
•Mitchel Air Force Base — US Air Force base in Long Island, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 15m. Total distance: 341.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 7h 15m drive with frequent turns across 341.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 67 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 98.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 49.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 43 significant decision points across 341.9 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 49.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 314.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 43 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
49.7 mi into trip|~1h in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
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 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
200 mi into trip|~4h 17m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
314.5 mi into trip|~6h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
314.8 mi into trip|~6h 33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
324.2 mi into trip|~6h 47m 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 Scottsville, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.
Clyde
49.7 mi in|~1h
Mt Pocono
200 mi in|~4h 17m|via US 6
Milford
200.7 mi in|~4h 18m|via I 84; I 380
New York City
314.5 mi in|~6h 33m
Leonia
314.8 mi in|~6h 33m
Teaneck
314.8 mi in|~6h 33m
George Washington Bridge Upper Level
317 mi in|~6h 37m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
New York State Thruway
41.7 mi
48m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsville, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on NY 383
0.2 mi·22 sec·Rochester Street
2
Turn right onto NY 253
1.6 mi·2 min·Scottsville-West Henrietta Road
3
Continue on NY 253
2.1 mi·3 min·Erie Station Road
4
Turn straight onto NY 253
1.2 mi·2 min·Thruway Park Drive
5
Turn left onto NY 15; NY 253
1.0 mi·1 min·West Henrietta Road
6
Turn right onto NY 253
0.4 mi·52 sec·Lehigh Station Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·23 sec
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·28 sec
Exit 12BToward I 90: New York Thruway
9
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·6 sec·this road
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·32 sec
Toward I 90 East: AlbanyUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 90
42 mi·48 min·New York State Thruway
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
14
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
15
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
17
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
19
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
20
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
21
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
22
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
23
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
24
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
25
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
26
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
27
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
28
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
29
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
31
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
36
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
37
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
39
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
41
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
43
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
44
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
45
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
46
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
48
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
50
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
52
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
53
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
2.0 mi·2 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6BToward I 295 South: Throgs Neck BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
54
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
55
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
56
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
57
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
58
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi·2 min·Braddock Avenue
59
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi·34 sec·Jamaica Avenue
60
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi·56 sec·Jericho Turnpike
61
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
62
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·New Hyde Park Road
63
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi·3 min·Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
64
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the right lane.
65
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
66
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi·26 sec·Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
67
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
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 171 miles from Scottsville, NY, or about 3h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 75 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171 miles or 3h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 54m
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 Scottsville, 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 Scottsville, NY
This is one driving day of about 341.9 miles and 7h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Scottsville, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 98.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 171 mi from Scottsville, NY
· 3h 42m into the drive
The midpoint is around 171 miles from Scottsville, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.8 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 318.4
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 318.4
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 70.7
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 47.2
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...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 318.4
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 318.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.28 one way
$112.56 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$60.86
$121.71
premium
$4.92
$66.27
$132.53
diesel
$5.61
$75.49
$150.97
Estimated Tolls: $24.90
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(41.7 mi)$2.09
Hempstead Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.14
Thruway Park Drive
(1.2 mi)$0.08
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
$56
Tolls
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$106–$131
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.6
1
$35.90
$16.41
Efficient EV
85.5
0
$29.92
$13.68
EV Truck/SUV
136.8
1
$47.87
$21.88
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Scottsville, NY
Late night
in Scottsville on Saturday
Local time
1:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Late night
in Hempstead on Saturday
Local time
1:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SW 16 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:26AM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
57°F
Ramapo, NY
171 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
31 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
7h 15m 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 Scottsville, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 341.9 miles and takes about 7h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Keystone Shortway, New York State Thruway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 171 miles from Scottsville, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $56.28 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 43 significant decision points across 341.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 49.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 314.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Scottsville, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. 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.
