Traveling from Tusten to Hempstead covers 119.4 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 49 minutes to complete. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily tackle the entire journey in a single day, making it an ideal choice for a straightforward road trip. Plan on budgeting approximately $19 for fuel to cover the trip. Your path takes you through the Northeast, transitioning from the more rural atmosphere of Tusten into the denser environment of Hempstead. While the route is highway-focused, it remains a practical connection between these two New York points. Whether you are traveling for business or a visit, the trip is efficient enough that you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
59.7 miles from Tusten, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m 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 2h 49m. Total distance: 119.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a drive that leans heavily on highway travel, with 62% of your time spent on major roads like State Route 97, NJ 23, and Walling Avenue. The road personality shifts as you progress, balancing high-speed travel with stretches of local roadway. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted segment early on, featuring a 28.2-mile stretch along State Route 97. While the route is designed for efficiency rather than leisure, the varying road types keep the driving experience from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. By the time you reach the final leg of your journey, you will have navigated a mix of infrastructure that transitions you smoothly toward your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 41 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Route 97 is the longest continuous segment at about 28.2 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,329 ft44 ft
Total Climb
1,469 ft
Total Descent
2,121 ft
Highest Point
1,329 ft
~34.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,285 ft
Notable High Points
1,329 ft at ~34.1 miles+810 ft prominence
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Route 97 and NJ 23. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 77.5 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 24 significant decision points across 119.4 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: at 77.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.5 miles (I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 92 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
77.5 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 80 East: New York
7
86.5 mi into trip|~2h in|I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Lev...
8
92 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
92.3 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
101.7 mi into trip|~2h 21m 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 Tusten, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Clifton, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.
Clifton
77.4 mi in|~1h 50m
New York City
92 mi in|~2h 6m
Leonia
92.3 mi in|~2h 6m
Teaneck
92.3 mi in|~2h 6m
George Washington Bridge Upper Level
94.5 mi in|~2h 11m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Route 97
28.2 mi
41m
NJ 23
18.8 mi
25m
Walling Avenue
18.1 mi
27m
Christopher Columbus Highway
14 mi
15m
Paterson - Hamburg Turnpike
9.8 mi
11m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Tulip Avenue
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
State Route 97
— 28.2 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tusten, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on Crawford Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Crawford Road
2
Turn sharp right onto NY 97
28 mi·41 min·State Route 97
3
Continue on NY 42; NY 97
1.9 mi·2 min·West Main Street
4
Turn right onto CR 15
0.4 mi·31 sec·CR 15
5
Continue on NJ 23
13 mi·17 min·NJ 23
6
Continue on NJ 23
18 mi·27 min·Walling Avenue
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on NJ 23
9.8 mi·11 min·Paterson - Hamburg Turnpike
8
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 23
6.2 mi·7 min·NJ 23
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
297 ft·7 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 46 East: New York, Clifton
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 80 East: New YorkUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 80
8.5 mi·9 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
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.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
17
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
19
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
20
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
22
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
24
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
26
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
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.
28
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
29
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
32
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi·2 min·Braddock Avenue
33
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi·34 sec·Jamaica Avenue
34
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi·56 sec·Jericho Turnpike
35
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
36
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·New Hyde Park Road
37
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi·3 min·Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
38
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the right lane.
39
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
40
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi·26 sec·Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2 hour and 49 minute drive, aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the highway-heavy sections. You should plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and manage your fuel, which should cost you roughly $19 for the trip. Since the drive is short, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule rather than worrying about overnight logistics. Keep a close watch on your navigation when transitioning between State Route 97, NJ 23, and Walling Avenue, as these road changes are key to maintaining your pace. Staying alert during these transitions will ensure a stress-free arrival in Hempstead.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59.7 miles from Tusten, NY, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.2 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 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.7 miles or 1h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 16m
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 Tusten, 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 Tusten, NY
This is one driving day of about 119.4 miles and 2h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tusten, 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 State Route 97 for about 28.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.7 mi from Tusten, NY
· 1h 28m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 94.7
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
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 94.7
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 94.7
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 94.7
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 94.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.65 one way
$39.31 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$21.25
$42.50
premium
$4.92
$23.14
$46.28
diesel
$5.61
$26.36
$52.72
Estimated Tolls: $23.42
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
Paterson - Hamburg Turnpike
(9.8 mi)$0.69
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
$20
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.8
0
$12.54
$5.73
Efficient EV
29.9
0
$10.45
$4.78
EV Truck/SUV
47.8
0
$16.72
$7.64
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Tusten, NY
Evening
in Tusten on Friday
Local time
8:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Evening
in Hempstead on Friday
Local time
8:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
60 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
17 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
2h 49m 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 Tusten, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 119.4 miles and takes about 2h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Route 97, NJ 23, Walling Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.7 miles from Tusten, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.65 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 119.4 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: at 77.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.5 miles (I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 92 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Tusten, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Clifton, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.
