How far is Hempstead, NY from Albany, NY?
The driving distance from Hempstead, NY to Albany, NY is about 168.1 miles (270.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 134.7 miles (216.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 02m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in New York, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hempstead and Albany.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead and Albany.
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1
Start on Peninsula Boulevard
24 m · 1 sec · Peninsula Boulevard
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2
Turn left onto Clinton Street
110 m · 18 sec · Clinton Street
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3
Turn left onto Front Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Front Street
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4
Turn slight left onto Hempstead Turnpike
2 mi · 4 min · Hempstead Turnpike
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5
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
2197 ft · 53 sec · New Hyde Park Road
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6
Turn left onto Tulip Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Tulip Avenue
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7
Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Jamaica Avenue
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8
Turn slight right onto Braddock Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Braddock Avenue
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9
Turn left onto Hillside Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Hillside Avenue
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10
Turn right onto Clearview Expressway
5 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway
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11
Continue on Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
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12
Continue on Throgs Neck Expressway
1.1 km · 1 min · Throgs Neck Expressway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Cross Bronx Expressway
6.6 mi · 9 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Trans-Manhattan Expressway
1.1 km · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
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15
Continue on George Washington Bridge (upper level)
3167 ft · 60 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
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16
Continue straight
2659 ft · 48 sec
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17
Keep slight left
3214 ft · 39 sec
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18
Keep slight left
559 ft · 9 sec
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
1270 ft · 23 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on NJ 4 West: Paramus
970 ft · 24 sec
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21
Merge slight right
6.7 mi · 9 min
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22
Take the exit straight toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, Mahwah
951 ft · 26 sec
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23
Keep slight right to continue on NJ 17 North: Mahwah
1302 ft · 37 sec
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24
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
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25
Continue straight
7.3 mi · 10 min
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26
Continue straight
1.2 km · 50 sec
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27
Continue straight
3.3 mi · 4 min
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28
Continue straight
877 ft · 11 sec
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29
Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
111.7 mi · 2 hr 9 min
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30
Take the exit slight right toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy
1351 ft · 50 sec
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31
Continue straight
1.6 mi · 2 min
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32
Take the exit slight right toward US 9 North, US 20 West: Downtown Albany
1250 ft · 36 sec
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33
Turn straight onto Quay Street
966 ft · 34 sec · Quay Street
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34
Turn left
1299 ft · 42 sec
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35
Turn left onto State Street
1520 ft · 51 sec · State Street
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36
At the end of the road, turn right onto Eagle Street
55 m · 5 sec · Eagle Street
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37
Turn straight onto Washington Avenue
152 m · 20 sec · Washington Avenue
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38
Turn left
9 m · 2 sec
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39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hempstead and Albany.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 87 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
112 mi · 02h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Hempstead and Chance Rain Showers near Albany.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hempstead to Albany?
The road trip is about 168.1 miles (270.6 km) and usually takes 03h 02m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Orange Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81 miles from Hempstead and 87.1 miles from Albany.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 134.7 miles (216.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:56 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.77 one way or $47.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Hempstead and Chance Rain Showers near Albany.
Stop Ideas Near Orange Lake
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Orange Lake.
Poughkeepsie station
Croton–Harmon station
Rhinecliff–Kingston station
Yonkers station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hempstead and Albany. Straight-line distance: 134.67 mi (216.73 km).
#1 Hempstead
Located in Nassau County, New York, this hamlet and village is a major commercial and transportation hub.
| Population | 764,055 |
| Coordinates | 40.7062100, -73.6187400 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Albany
The capital of New York State.
| Population | 95,429 |
| Coordinates | 42.6525800, -73.7562300 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
End: Washington Avenue (-73.756162, 42.652644)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 271 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $23.77 | $47.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $26.57 | $53.14 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $28.83 | $57.65 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $27.84 | $55.67 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in New York · Apr 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.