Southampton to Hempstead is 69.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 36 minutes via Sunrise Highway, Southern State Parkway, and Heckscher State Parkway, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, connecting two points in the Northeast region. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on parkways and highways, making it a practical choice for a day trip or an easy leg of a larger journey. Given the relatively short duration and minimal stops, it's a drive you can complete with plenty of time left in your day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.9 miles from Southampton, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m 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 1h 36m. Total distance: 69.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 34% of the route on highways. You'll encounter stretches on Sunrise Highway, Southern State Parkway, and Heckscher State Parkway, which generally provide a smoother, faster pace. The longest uninterrupted section of the drive covers 38.8 miles on Sunrise Highway, allowing for a good period of consistent travel. As you progress, you'll notice the transition from potentially more suburban parkway driving to potentially busier highway conditions closer to your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Sunrise Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 38.8 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 1 miles in near NY 27; CR 39 / County Road 39.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 1 miles (NY 27; CR 39 / County Road 39): Lane positioning matters here; at 43.2 miles (Sunrise Highway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.3 miles (SO / Southern State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1 mi into trip|~2m in|NY 27; CR 39 / County Road 39
Turn left onto NY 27; CR 39 / County Road 39
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
43.2 mi into trip|~1h 1m in|Sunrise Highway
Turn slight right onto Sunrise Highway toward SO, H: New York, Hekscher Park
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 46
Toward SO, H: New York, Hekscher Park
6
50.3 mi into trip|~1h 10m in|SO / Southern State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto SO / Southern State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
67.7 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward Nassau Road, Hempstead, Freeport
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 21
Toward Nassau Road, Hempstead, Freeport
8
67.8 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Uniondale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Uniondale
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Southampton, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward H: New York, Hekscher Park and So West: New York.
H: New York
43.2 mi in|~1h 1m|via Sunrise Highway
Hekscher Park
43.2 mi in|~1h 1m|via Sunrise Highway
So West: New York
43.9 mi in|~1h 2m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Sunrise Highway
38.8 mi
51m
Southern State Parkway
17.5 mi
21m
Heckscher State Parkway
6 mi
7m
County Road 39
4 mi
8m
Nassau Road
0.8 mi
1m
North Sea Road
0.7 mi
1m
Greenwich Street
0.6 mi
1m
Henry Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Sunrise Highway
— 38.8 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southampton, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on Main Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on North Sea Road
0.7 mi·1 min·North Sea Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Turn left onto NY 27; CR 39
4.0 mi·8 min·County Road 39
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on NY 27
38 mi·50 min·Sunrise Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn slight right onto Sunrise Highway
0.7 mi·1 min·Sunrise Highway
Exit 46Toward SO, H: New York, Hekscher ParkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward SO West: New York
7
Merge onto H
6.0 mi·7 min·Heckscher State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on SO
0.1 mi·9 sec·Southern State Parkway
9
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
17 mi·21 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the slight left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·25 sec
Exit 21Toward Nassau Road, Hempstead, FreeportUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
163 ft·5 sec
Toward UniondaleUse the right lane.
12
Turn right onto Nassau Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Nassau Road
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on Greenwich Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Greenwich Street
14
Turn right onto Henry Street
0.5 mi·56 sec·Henry Street
Use the right lane.
15
Turn right onto Peninsula Boulevard
64 ft·1 sec·Peninsula Boulevard
16
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 36 minute drive, departing from Southampton, NY, you have the flexibility to leave at your convenience. Aiming for an early morning departure can help you avoid any potential midday traffic, especially as you approach Hempstead. With a fuel cost estimated at around $11, filling up before you leave is a good idea, as there are no planned stops. The longest stretch is 38.8 miles, so plan your need for a break before or after that segment to ensure comfort.
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 34.9 miles from Southampton, NY, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.8 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 15 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.9 miles or 50m 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 21m
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 Southampton, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Southampton, NY
This is one driving day of about 69.7 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Southampton, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Sunrise Highway for about 38.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.9 mi from Southampton, NY
· 50m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fire Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife, Fire Island has been a special...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 36.1
Park Closure: Pet Restrictions, Beach Driving Closures in Effect March 15 through Labor Day
Caution: Avian Influenza (HPAI) Suspected in Dead Birds in Seashore Areas
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 69.7
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...
19 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 69.7
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 69.7
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 69.7
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 69.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.47 one way
$22.95 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$12.41
$24.81
premium
$4.92
$13.51
$27.02
diesel
$5.61
$15.39
$30.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
4 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
EV Connect Charging Station
Hicksville, NY
EV Connect
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Plainview, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Westbury, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Shell Recharge Charging Station
Hicksville, NY
Shell Recharge
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 2
EV Connect: 1
Shell Recharge: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.9
0
$7.32
$3.35
Efficient EV
17.4
0
$6.10
$2.79
EV Truck/SUV
27.9
0
$9.76
$4.46
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 15, 2026
Origin
Southampton, NY
Morning
in Southampton on Saturday
Local time
9:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Morning
in Hempstead on Saturday
Local time
9:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
14 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 36m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Southampton, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 69.7 miles and takes about 1h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Sunrise Highway, Southern State Parkway, Heckscher State Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.9 miles from Southampton, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.47 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 69.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 1 miles (NY 27; CR 39 / County Road 39): Lane positioning matters here; at 43.2 miles (Sunrise Highway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.3 miles (SO / Southern State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Southampton, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward H: New York, Hekscher Park and So West: New York.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Fire Island National Seashore, Gateway National Recreation Area and General Grant National Memorial. 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
