This 120.1-mile drive from Veteran, NY to Hempstead, NY is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 34 minutes. Expect a fuel cost of around $20 for this journey. The route primarily utilizes the New York State Thruway, NJ 17, and NJ 4, with about 33% of the drive on highways. It offers a mixed driving experience, so you'll encounter various road types. This trip stays within the Northeast region, making it a straightforward point-to-point journey.
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
60.1 miles from Veteran, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m 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 34m. Total distance: 120.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (33%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The character of this drive is largely defined by its main thoroughfares. You'll spend a significant portion on the New York State Thruway, which constitutes the longest uninterrupted stretch of 70.5 miles. As you transition to NJ 17 and NJ 4, the road character may shift, offering a mixed driving experience. With 33% of the route on highways, expect a blend of faster-paced travel and potentially more varied road conditions as you approach your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New York State Thruway is the longest continuous segment at about 70.5 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 71.9 miles in near NY 17.
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 21 significant decision points across 120.1 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 71.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
71.9 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
73.3 mi into trip|~1h 25m in|NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
6
87.5 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
6
94.6 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
8
102.4 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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 Veteran, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Gsp South: Paterson
87.4 mi in|~1h 44m
Fort Lee
87.4 mi in|~1h 44m
New York
87.4 mi in|~1h 44m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
70.5 mi
1h 21m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi
8m
Clearview Expressway
5 mi
5m
Tulip Avenue
2 mi
3m
Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi
3m
Hempstead Turnpike
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 70.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Veteran, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on State Route 212
0.9 mi·1 min·State Route 212
2
Continue on Saugerties-Woodstock Road
430 ft·17 sec·Saugerties-Woodstock Road
3
Turn left onto NY 32
0.1 mi·12 sec·King's Highway
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
5
Merge onto I 87
71 mi·1 hr 21 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
7
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
8
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
11
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
16
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
18
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
21
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi·2 min·Braddock Avenue
25
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi·34 sec·Jamaica Avenue
26
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi·56 sec·Jericho Turnpike
27
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
28
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·New Hyde Park Road
29
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi·3 min·Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
30
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the right lane.
31
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
32
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi·26 sec·Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Arrive at destination
Peninsula Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour 34-minute duration and 120.1-mile distance, this trip is ideal for a single day. You can leave whenever it suits your schedule, but be mindful of potential traffic, especially as you get closer to Hempstead. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. The longest stretch is 70.5 miles on the New York State Thruway, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before embarking on that segment to ensure a smooth journey.
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 60.1 miles from Veteran, NY, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.5 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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.1 miles or 1h 10m 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
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 Veteran, 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 Veteran, NY
This is one driving day of about 120.1 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Veteran, 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 New York State Thruway for about 70.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.1 mi from Veteran, NY
· 1h 10m 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
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 95.3
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
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 95.3
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 95.3
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 95.3
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
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 95.3
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36
0
$12.61
$5.76
Efficient EV
30
0
$10.51
$4.80
EV Truck/SUV
48
0
$16.81
$7.69
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
Veteran, NY
Morning
in Veteran on Saturday
Local time
11:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Morning
in Hempstead on Saturday
Local time
11:04 AM
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
22 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 34m 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 Veteran, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 120.1 miles and takes about 2h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, NJ 17, NJ 4. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.1 miles from Veteran, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.77 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 21 significant decision points across 120.1 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 71.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Veteran, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Yes. Nearby national parks include General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
