The drive from Wilson, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 408.6 miles and takes about 8h 50m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on I 81, Keystone Shortway, New York State Thruway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 98.8 miles on I 81.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $67.26 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
204.3 miles from Wilson, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 37m 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 50m drive with frequent turns across 408.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 71 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 116.3 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 47 significant decision points across 408.6 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 116.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 266.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 381.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 47 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
116.3 mi into trip|~2h 34m 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
9
266.6 mi into trip|~5h 51m 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
381.2 mi into trip|~8h 7m 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
381.4 mi into trip|~8h 7m 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
390.9 mi into trip|~8h 22m 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 Wilson, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.
Clyde
116.3 mi in|~2h 34m
Mt Pocono
266.6 mi in|~5h 51m|via US 6
Milford
267.4 mi in|~5h 52m|via I 84; I 380
New York City
381.2 mi in|~8h 7m
Leonia
381.4 mi in|~8h 7m
Teaneck
381.4 mi in|~8h 7m
George Washington Bridge Upper Level
383.7 mi in|~8h 12m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
New York State Thruway
30 mi
34m
East Lake Road
28.1 mi
41m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Roosevelt Highway
20.1 mi
28m
Western Expressway
20.1 mi
26m
Ridge Road
11.3 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilson, NY and Hempstead, NY.
1
Start on NY 425
0.6 mi·1 min·Lake Street
2
Turn right onto NY 18
0.3 mi·27 sec·Ontario Street
3
Continue on NY 18
18 mi·26 min·East Lake Road
4
Continue on NY 18
14 mi·19 min·Roosevelt Highway
5
Continue on NY 18; NY 98
0.5 mi·45 sec·Oak Orchard Road
6
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 18
5.7 mi·8 min·Roosevelt Highway
7
Turn right onto CR 32
2.0 mi·2 min·Peter Smith Road
8
Turn left onto NY 104
11 mi·16 min·Ridge Road
9
Turn right onto NY 260
1.9 mi·3 min·Sweden-Walker Road
10
Turn left onto NY 31
2.5 mi·3 min·Brockport-Spencerport Road
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on NY 531
7.5 mi·8 min·NY 531
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 490 East: Rochester
13
Merge onto I 490
20 mi·26 min·Western Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
15
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
18
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
19
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
21
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
23
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
24
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
25
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
26
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
27
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
28
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
29
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
30
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
31
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
32
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
33
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
34
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
35
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
37
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
40
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
41
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
42
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.
43
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.
44
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
45
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
47
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
48
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
49
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
50
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
52
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
53
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
54
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
56
Continue on I 95; US 1
4.7 mi·6 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
57
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.
58
Merge onto I 295
0.6 mi·58 sec·Throgs Neck Expressway
59
Continue on I 295
2.0 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
60
Continue on I 295
5.0 mi·5 min·Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
61
Turn left onto NY 25
0.7 mi·1 min·Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
62
Turn right onto NY 25
1.1 mi·2 min·Braddock Avenue
63
Turn left onto NY 25
0.2 mi·34 sec·Jamaica Avenue
64
Continue on NY 25
0.5 mi·56 sec·Jericho Turnpike
65
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Tulip Avenue
Use the right lane.
66
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·New Hyde Park Road
67
Turn left onto NY 24
2.0 mi·3 min·Hempstead Turnpike
Use the left lane.
68
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.8 mi·1 min·Front Street
Use the right lane.
69
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·Greenwich Street
Use the right lane.
70
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
0.2 mi·26 sec·Peninsula Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
71
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 204.3 miles from Wilson, NY, or about 4h 37m 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 90 miles or 2h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 204.3 miles or 4h 37m 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 204.3 miles or 4h 37m
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 7h 28m
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 Wilson, 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 Wilson, NY
Aim for roughly 204 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Hempstead, NY
Aim for roughly 204 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Wilson, 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 204.3 mi from Wilson, NY
· 4h 37m 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
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 380.4
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
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 380.4
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 126.8
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 112.7
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 380.4
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 380.4
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
122.6
1
$42.90
$19.61
Efficient EV
102.2
1
$35.75
$16.34
EV Truck/SUV
163.4
2
$57.20
$26.15
Gas CO2
143 kg
EV CO2
48 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 14, 2026
Origin
Wilson, NY
Night
in Wilson on Friday
Local time
10:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hempstead, NY
Night
in Hempstead on Friday
Local time
10:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Sunny
S 8 to 13 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 12:38PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 14 at 12:03PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
53°F
Union, NY
204 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
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
8h 50m 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 Wilson, NY to Hempstead, NY covers 408.6 miles and takes about 8h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Keystone Shortway, New York State Thruway. 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 204 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 204.3 miles from Wilson, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $67.26 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 47 significant decision points across 408.6 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 116.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 266.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 381.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Wilson, NY and Hempstead, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck - among others.
Yes. Nearby national parks include General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. 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.
