Trip from Williamsville, NY to Hempstead, NY

Drive Time

8h 13m

Distance

392.6 mi

632 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$64

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min

4 AM

8h 6m ★

6 AM

8h 14m

8 AM

8h 29m

10 AM

8h 19m

12 PM

8h 18m

3 PM

8h 20m

5 PM

8h 29m

8 PM

8h 9m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Williamsville, NY

Clément Proust

Trip Overview

Traveling from Williamsville to Hempstead covers 392.6 miles and typically requires about 8 hours and 13 minutes of time behind the wheel. Because of the length and the turn-heavy nature of the local sections, I recommend splitting this journey over 2 days to keep your stress levels low. You will navigate a combination of the New York State Thruway, I-81, and the Keystone Shortway to complete the trip. With fuel costs estimated at $64, it is a moderately priced trek across New York State. This route is best approached as a relaxed two-day excursion rather than a grueling single-day push.

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

196.3 miles from Williamsville, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 10m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a varied experience that transitions between major arteries and more technical local driving. Only 41% of this 392.6-mile path consists of highway, meaning you will spend significant time navigating secondary roads that require your full attention. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 98.8-mile segment on I-81, which provides a brief reprieve from the more demanding local turns. Overall, the trip feels less like a monotonous interstate grind and more like a hands-on navigation project. Be prepared for the road’s personality to shift frequently as you move away from high-speed corridors into more localized driving environments.

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.

I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 98.8 miles.

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 3.7 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 44 significant decision points across 392.6 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 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 250.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 44 key points

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

3.7 mi into trip | ~6m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Albany

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 90 East: Albany

100.3 mi into trip | ~1h 58m in

Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde

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 41 Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde

250.6 mi into trip | ~5h 15m 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...

365.2 mi into trip | ~7h 30m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...

365.5 mi into trip | ~7h 31m 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

Towns Along This Route

Between Williamsville, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.

Clyde

100.3 mi in | ~1h 58m

Mt Pocono

250.6 mi in | ~5h 15m | via US 6

Milford

251.4 mi in | ~5h 16m | via I 84; I 380

New York City

365.2 mi in | ~7h 30m

Leonia

365.5 mi in | ~7h 31m

Teaneck

365.5 mi in | ~7h 31m

George Washington Bridge Upper Level

367.7 mi in | ~7h 35m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 81	98.8 mi	1h 57m
New York State Thruway	96.3 mi	1h 51m
Keystone Shortway	80 mi	1h 37m
I 380	23.6 mi	25m
East Lake Road	9.9 mi	14m
State Highway 41	9.8 mi	13m
Clark Street Road	9.6 mi	11m
Cross Bronx Expressway	6.6 mi	8m

Longest stretch: I 81 — 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on NY 5

2.1 mi · 3 min · Main Street

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto NY 78

1.2 mi · 2 min · Transit Road

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward I 90 Use the right lane.

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 23 sec · this road

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Toward I 90 East: Albany Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 90

96 mi · 1 hr 51 min · New York State Thruway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 58 sec

Exit 41 Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

327 ft · 7 sec

Continue on NY 414

0.3 mi · 35 sec · State Route 414

Turn left onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318

Use the left lane.

At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road

Continue on US 20; NY 5

9.6 mi · 11 min · Clark Street Road

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto State Street

226 ft · 12 sec · State Street

Turn left onto Dill Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Dill Street

Continue on Loop Road

458 ft · 16 sec · Loop Road

Turn left onto Genesee Street

5.5 mi · 9 min · Genesee Street

Continue on US 20

2.2 mi · 4 min · West Genesee Street Road

Turn right onto NY 41

0.5 mi · 45 sec · East Lake Street

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road

Continue on NY 41

9.8 mi · 13 min · State Highway 41

Turn right onto NY 281

1.2 mi · 2 min · North West Street

Take the ramp

0.7 mi · 1 min

Use the left lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Toward I 81 South: Binghamton

Merge onto I 81

45 mi · 54 min · I 81

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81

Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the none lane.

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.

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.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380

Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min

Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway

Use the none / straight / right lanes.

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.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec

Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec

Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec

Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec

Toward George Washington Bridge

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec

Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

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 / none lanes.

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto NY 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hillside Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto NY 25

1.1 mi · 2 min · Braddock Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto NY 25

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Jamaica Avenue

Use the none lane.

Continue on NY 25

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Jericho Turnpike

Use the none lane.

Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue

2.0 mi · 3 min · Tulip Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road

0.4 mi · 56 sec · New Hyde Park Road

Turn left onto NY 24

2.0 mi · 3 min · Hempstead Turnpike

Use the left lane.

Turn slight right onto NY 102

0.8 mi · 1 min · Front Street

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto Greenwich Street

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Greenwich Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Peninsula Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Arrive at destination

Peninsula Boulevard

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 8-hour and 13-minute travel time, plan for at least two designated stops to break up the monotony. Given the turn-heavy profile of this route, leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to ensure you aren't navigating complex local roads after dark. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the segments off the main highways, as service intervals can vary significantly outside of the major corridors. Since the trip is best spread over 2 days, look for lodging options near the halfway mark to keep your second day of driving manageable. If you find yourself hitting heavy traffic on the New York State Thruway, take advantage of your planned stops to recalibrate and avoid fatigue.

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 196.3 miles from Williamsville, NY, or about 4h 10m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 86 miles or 1h 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 196.3 miles or 4h 10m 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 196.3 miles or 4h 10m

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 52m

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 Williamsville, 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 Williamsville, NY

Aim for roughly 196 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Hempstead, NY

Aim for roughly 196 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Williamsville, 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 I 81 for about 98.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 196.3 mi from Williamsville, NY · 4h 10m into the drive

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Ramapo, NY

196 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Ramapo, NY

Overnight Options

Night 1

Ramapo, NY

196 mi · about 4.1h in

A practical overnight split lands near Ramapo, NY after about 196 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Thompson, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Syracuse, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 196.3 miles from Williamsville, 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 98.8 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 196 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.

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.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Hempstead, NY with some flexibility left in the schedule.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$63.91 one way

$127.83 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 137 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.48	$69.26	$138.52
premium	$4.88	$75.48	$150.95
diesel	$5.64	$87.22	$174.44

Estimated Tolls: $27.54

George Washington Bridge $16.00

Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55

New York State Thruway (96.3 mi) $4.81

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

$64

Tolls

$28

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$221–$331

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 137.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	117.8	1	$41.22	$18.84
Efficient EV	98.2	1	$34.35	$15.70
EV Truck/SUV	157	1	$54.96	$25.13

Gas CO2

137 kg

EV CO2

46 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 days ago

Origin

Williamsville, NY

Afternoon in Williamsville on Sunday

Local time

3:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hempstead, NY

Afternoon in Hempstead on Sunday

Local time

3:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

59°F

Ramapo, NY

196 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.

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

11 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

8h 13m 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 Williamsville, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 392.6 miles and takes about 8h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 81, New York State Thruway, Keystone Shortway. 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 196 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 196.3 miles from Williamsville, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $63.91 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.

Between Williamsville, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Hempstead, NY to Williamsville, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

394.2 mi 8h 15m

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.

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

Trip from Williamsville, NY to Hempstead, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Hempstead, NY

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Williamsville, NY

Hempstead, NY

Same local time

11 degrees cooler at arrival

8h 13m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Hempstead, NY

More from Williamsville, NY

More trips to Hempstead, NY