How far is Hempstead, NY from Lake Ronkonkoma, NY?

The driving distance from Hempstead, NY to Lake Ronkonkoma, NY is about 34.1 miles (54.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 27 miles (43.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
34.11 mi
00h 47m
Flight
27.02 mi
43.48 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hempstead.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
27.02 mi
Kilometers
43.48 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
34.11 mi
Kilometers
54.9 km
Drive Time
00h 47m

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 00h 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Ronkonkoma
Sun, Apr 19, 12:52 AM EDT
Return by in Hempstead
Sun, Apr 19, 1:40 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hempstead
2026-04-19T00:05
Arrive Lake Ronkonkoma
Sun, Apr 19, 12:52 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:47 AM to 10:47 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:56 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hempstead
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
North Babylon
NY

Census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York

From Hempstead
17 mi
00h 23m
To Lake Ronkonkoma
17.1 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 14 mph SW
Destination
55°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 18 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Hempstead and Lake Ronkonkoma.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead and Lake Ronkonkoma.

  1. 1

    Start on Peninsula Boulevard

    566 ft · 12 sec · Peninsula Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn slight right onto Front Street

    860 ft · 15 sec · Front Street

  3. 3

    Turn slight right

    34 m · 4 sec

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto William Street

    2138 ft · 1 min · William Street

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Jerusalem Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · Jerusalem Avenue

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Jerusalem Avenue

    1 km · 1 min · Jerusalem Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn slight right onto Merrick Avenue North

    682 ft · 16 sec · Merrick Avenue North

  8. 8

    Take the ramp slight right toward SO East: East Islip

    676 ft · 17 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Southern State Parkway

    15.2 mi · 18 min · Southern State Parkway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Southern State Parkway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Southern State Parkway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Sagtikos State Parkway

    4.1 mi · 5 min · Sagtikos State Parkway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 495 East: Riverhead

    1145 ft · 28 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 495 East: Riverhead

    1131 ft · 28 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Long Island Expressway

    7.6 mi · 10 min · Long Island Expressway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 93: Ocean Avenue, Ronkonkoma, Oakdale

    1164 ft · 25 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto Express Drive South

    103 m · 9 sec · Express Drive South

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Ocean Avenue

    1.2 km · 2 min · Ocean Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on Rosevale Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · Rosevale Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on Gibbs Pond Road

    1472 ft · 44 sec · Gibbs Pond Road

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Margaret Drive

    1277 ft · 56 sec · Margaret Drive

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Margaret Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Hempstead and Lake Ronkonkoma.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
21 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
61.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Southern State Parkway
16 mi · 47%
Long Island Expressway
7.56 mi · 22%
Sagtikos State Parkway
4.06 mi · 12%
Jerusalem Avenue
2.67 mi · 8%
Rosevale Avenue
0.91 mi · 3%
Ocean Avenue
0.75 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Southern State Parkway

Merge slight left onto Southern State Parkway

15.2 mi · 00h 18m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.1 mi
27 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
North Babylon
00h 23m from Hempstead
Leave By
4:56 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Hempstead and Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Ronkonkoma.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Hempstead to Lake Ronkonkoma?

The road trip is about 34.1 miles (54.9 km) and usually takes 00h 47m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

North Babylon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17 miles from Hempstead and 17.1 miles from Lake Ronkonkoma.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 27 miles (43.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:56 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.81 one way or $9.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Hempstead and Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Ronkonkoma.

Stop Ideas Near North Babylon

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around North Babylon and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town of Babylon History Museum at Old Town Hall
Scenic stop 2.4 mi away

Town of Babylon History Museum at Old Town Hall

Babylon , NY
47 W Main St, Babylon, NY 11702
Rating 4.6/5 26 reviews Tourist attraction,History museum
Babylon Town Hall Annex
Meeting point 0.4 mi away

Babylon Town Hall Annex

North Babylon , NY
281 Phelps Ln, North Babylon, NY 11703
Rating 3.9/5 26 reviews City government office,City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Babylon.

RAIL

Stamford Transportation Center

41 mi away
Washington Blvd and South State St.
RAIL

New Rochelle station

45 mi away
1 Railroad Plaza
RAIL

Bridgeport

52 mi away
525 Water St.
RAIL

Yonkers station

55 mi away
5 Buena Vista Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hempstead and Lake Ronkonkoma. Straight-line distance: 27.02 mi (43.48 km).

Hempstead

#1 Hempstead

Located in Nassau County, New York, this hamlet and village is a major commercial and transportation hub.

Population764,055
Coordinates40.7062100, -73.6187400
Altitude17
CountryUnited States
Lake Ronkonkoma

#2 Lake Ronkonkoma

Census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York

Population20,155
Coordinates40.8351000, -73.1312200
Altitude22
CountryUnited States
Start: Hempstead (-73.61874, 40.70621)
End: Lake Ronkonkoma (-73.13122, 40.8351)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 55 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 40m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.2 gal
4.56 L · about $4.81
Round trip
$9.62
2.4 gal · 9.12 L
Estimated CO2
10.7 kg one way
Round trip: 21.3 kg / 47 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.01 $4.81 $9.62
Mid-grade $4.48 $5.38 $10.75
Premium $4.86 $5.83 $11.67
Diesel $4.69 $5.63 $11.27

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Hempstead and Lake Ronkonkoma. The current time is 00:05:35.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.