Trip from Syracuse, NY to Hempstead, NY

Drive Time

5h 32m

Distance

271.4 mi

437 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 19m ★
6 AM
5h 33m
8 AM
5h 59m
10 AM
5h 42m
12 PM
5h 39m
3 PM
5h 43m
5 PM
5h 58m
8 PM
5h 25m

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

Downtown Syracuse, NY, NY

Syracuse, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

The drive from Syracuse, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 271.4 miles and takes about 5h 32m 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, I 380 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 127.9 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.18 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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

135.7 miles from Syracuse, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 32m highway drive covering 271.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. The longest continuous stretch is about 127.9 miles on I 81.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 44 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 127.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near NY 92 / East Genesee Street.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 271.4 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: near the start (NY 92 / East Genesee Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 129.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 29 key points

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

7
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | NY 92 / East Genesee Street

Turn left onto NY 92 / East Genesee Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
9
129.5 mi into trip | ~2h 34m 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
244 mi into trip | ~4h 50m 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
244.3 mi into trip | ~4h 50m 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
253.7 mi into trip | ~5h 4m 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 Along This Route

Between Syracuse, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.

Mt Pocono

129.5 mi in | ~2h 34m | via US 6

Milford

130.2 mi in | ~2h 35m | via I 84; I 380

New York City

244 mi in | ~4h 50m

Leonia

244.3 mi in | ~4h 50m

Teaneck

244.3 mi in | ~4h 50m

George Washington Bridge Upper Level

246.5 mi in | ~4h 54m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 127.9 mi 2h 31m
Keystone Shortway 80 mi 1h 37m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
Cross Bronx Expressway 6.6 mi 8m
Christopher Columbus Highway 5.5 mi 5m
Clearview Expressway 5 mi 5m
I 84 3.7 mi 4m
Tulip Avenue 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 127.9 mi, about 2h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 11

10 ft · 5 sec · South State Street
2

Turn left onto NY 92

0.3 mi · 31 sec · East Genesee Street
Use the left lane.
3

Turn right onto Almond Street

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Almond Street
4

Turn slight right

296 ft · 5 sec
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 81 South
6

Merge onto I 81

2.0 mi · 2 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I-81

0.8 mi · 48 sec · I-81
8

Continue on I 81

73 mi · 1 hr 25 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 6
Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 84; I 380

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford Use the straight lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
13

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
14

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 5 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.
18

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue
20

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
22

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
23

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
25

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
27

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
29

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

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.
31

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
32

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Turn left onto NY 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
35

Turn right onto NY 25

1.1 mi · 2 min · Braddock Avenue
36

Turn left onto NY 25

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Jamaica Avenue
37

Continue on NY 25

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Jericho Turnpike
38

Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue

2.0 mi · 3 min · Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
39

Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road

0.4 mi · 56 sec · New Hyde Park Road
40

Turn left onto NY 24

2.0 mi · 3 min · Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
41

Turn slight right onto NY 102

0.8 mi · 1 min · Front Street
Use the right lane.
42

Turn right onto Greenwich Street

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
43

Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44

Arrive at destination

Peninsula Boulevard

Trip Plan

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 135.7 miles from Syracuse, NY, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.9 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 135.7 miles or 2h 41m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 24m

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 Syracuse, 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 Syracuse, NY

This is one driving day of about 271.4 miles and 5h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Syracuse, 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 I 81 for about 127.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 135.7 mi from Syracuse, NY · 2h 41m into the drive

Downtown Ramapo, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

136 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

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ramapo, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 135.7 miles from Syracuse, 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 127.9 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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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.

General Grant National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Free near mile 243.4
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
View on nps.gov
Hamilton Grange National Memorial

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...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Free near mile 252.7
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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 ~23 min detour Free near mile 243.4
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 243.4
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free near mile 243.4
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free near mile 243.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.18 one way

$88.37 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 95 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $47.88 $95.76
premium $4.88 $52.18 $104.35
diesel $5.64 $60.30 $120.59

Estimated Tolls: $22.73

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55
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

$44

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$92–$117

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 95 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 81.4 1 $28.50 $13.03
Efficient EV 67.9 0 $23.75 $10.86
EV Truck/SUV 108.6 1 $38.00 $17.37

Gas CO2

95 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 2 hours ago

Origin

Syracuse, NY

Morning in Syracuse on Monday

Local time

10:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hempstead, NY

Morning in Hempstead on Monday

Local time

10:25 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

Along the Route

59°F

Ramapo, NY

136 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

23 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

5h 32m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Syracuse, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 271.4 miles and takes about 5h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Keystone Shortway, I 380. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 135.7 miles from Syracuse, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.18 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 271.4 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: near the start (NY 92 / East Genesee Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 129.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Syracuse, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Hempstead, NY to Syracuse, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

277.3 mi 4h 36m

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.

Explore maps for Syracuse, NY or Hempstead, NY on MapSof.net.