The drive from Waddington, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 400.6 miles and takes about 8h 16m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on New York State Thruway, State Highway 812, State Highway 12 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 201.9 miles on New York State Thruway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $65.94 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
200.3 miles from Waddington, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 11m 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
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 8h 16m drive with frequent turns across 400.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 62 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 201.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,144 ft55 ft
Total Climb
1,372 ft
Total Descent
1,589 ft
Highest Point
1,144 ft
~143.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,089 ft
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 18.7 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 35 significant decision points across 400.6 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 18.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 234.2 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 352.4 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 35 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
18.7 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward NY 812
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward NY 812
8
234.2 mi into trip|~4h 50m in|New York State Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
9
352.4 mi into trip|~7h 6m 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
353.8 mi into trip|~7h 8m 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
8
382.8 mi into trip|~7h 48m 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 Waddington, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South, Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Genesee Street South
149.3 mi in|~3h 11m
Boston
234.2 mi in|~4h 50m|via New York State Thruway
Gsp South: Paterson
367.9 mi in|~7h 27m
Fort Lee
367.9 mi in|~7h 27m
New York
367.9 mi in|~7h 27m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
201.9 mi
3h 53m
State Highway 812
33.8 mi
39m
State Highway 12
22.8 mi
31m
Bea Luck Road
19.6 mi
23m
State Highway 37
17.8 mi
24m
Indian River Road
16.1 mi
19m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
US 11
11.5 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waddington, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on Main Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto NY 37
0.8 mi·2 min·Lincoln Avenue
3
Continue on NY 37
18 mi·24 min·State Highway 37
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward NY 812
5
Turn left onto NY 812
5.7 mi·6 min·State Highway 812
6
Continue on NY 812
0.9 mi·58 sec·North State Street
7
Continue on NY 812
11 mi·13 min·State Highway 812
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 812
11 mi·13 min·US 11; NY 812
9
Turn left onto NY 58; NY 812
0.6 mi·40 sec·William Street
10
Continue on NY 58; NY 812
5.5 mi·6 min·State Highway 58
11
Turn right onto NY 812
2.1 mi·2 min·Balmat-Fowler Road
12
Continue on NY 812
7.9 mi·9 min·State Highway 812
13
At end of road, turn right onto NY 3; NY 812
0.3 mi·33 sec·State Highway 812
14
Continue on NY 3; NY 812
0.4 mi·59 sec·State Street
15
Continue on NY 3; NY 812
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
16
Continue on NY 3; NY 812
2.9 mi·4 min·State Route 3
17
Turn left onto NY 812
5.7 mi·6 min·Indian River Road
18
Continue on NY 812
10 mi·12 min·Indian River Road
19
Continue on NY 812
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
20
Continue on NY 812
8.4 mi·10 min·State Highway 812
21
Turn left onto East State Street
1.5 mi·3 min·East State Street
22
Continue on Ross Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Ross Road
23
Turn left onto NY 12
20 mi·23 min·Bea Luck Road
24
Continue on NY 12
0.8 mi·51 sec·State Highway 12
25
Continue on NY 12
9.7 mi·11 min·Erwin Parkway
26
Continue on NY 12
22 mi·30 min·State Highway 12
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
28
Merge onto NY 49
0.4 mi·26 sec·State Route 49
29
Continue on I 790; NY 5
0.2 mi·13 sec·I 790; NY 5
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 90
32
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 90 East
33
Merge onto I 90
84 mi·1 hr 36 min·New York State Thruway
34
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, BostonUse the slight right lane.
35
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.
36
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
37
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.
38
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
39
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
40
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
41
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
43
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
45
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
47
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48
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.
49
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
50
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
53
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi·2 min·Braddock Avenue
54
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi·34 sec·Jamaica Avenue
55
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi·56 sec·Jericho Turnpike
56
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
57
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·New Hyde Park Road
58
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi·3 min·Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
59
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the right lane.
60
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
61
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi·26 sec·Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
62
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 200.3 miles from Waddington, NY, or about 4h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 88 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 200.3 miles or 4h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 200.3 miles or 4h 11m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 53m
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 Waddington, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Waddington, NY
Aim for roughly 200 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Hempstead, NY
Aim for roughly 200 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Waddington, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 201.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 200.3 mi from Waddington, NY
· 4h 11m 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...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 373
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 373
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 373
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 373
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...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 373
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.94 one way
$131.88 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg140 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$71.30
$142.61
premium
$4.92
$77.64
$155.29
diesel
$5.61
$88.45
$176.89
Estimated Tolls: $32.82
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(201.9 mi)$10.09
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
$66
Tolls
$33
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$229–$339
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
120.2
1
$42.06
$19.23
Efficient EV
100.2
1
$35.05
$16.02
EV Truck/SUV
160.2
2
$56.08
$25.64
Gas CO2
140 kg
EV CO2
47 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Waddington, NY
Late night
in Waddington on Saturday
Local time
5:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Late night
in Hempstead on Saturday
Local time
5:39 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
19 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
8h 16m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Waddington, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 400.6 miles and takes about 8h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, State Highway 812, State Highway 12. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 200 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 200.3 miles from Waddington, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $65.94 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 35 significant decision points across 400.6 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 18.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 234.2 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 352.4 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Waddington, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South, Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 55 ft to 1,144 ft elevation with about 1,372 ft of total climbing.
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.
