How far is Hempstead, NY from Potsdam, NY?

The driving distance from Hempstead, NY to Potsdam, NY is about 358.7 miles (577.2 km), with a travel time of about 07h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 282.5 miles (454.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 15h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
358.68 mi
07h 50m
Flight
282.45 mi
454.56 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hempstead.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
282.45 mi
Kilometers
454.56 km
Flight Time
00h 34m

Driving Distance

Road route
358.68 mi
Kilometers
577.24 km
Drive Time
07h 50m

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 07h 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Potsdam
Thu, Apr 16, 3:48 AM EDT
Return by in Hempstead
Thu, Apr 16, 11:39 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hempstead
2026-04-15T19:57
Arrive Potsdam
Thu, Apr 16, 3:48 AM EDT
Route Timing
07h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
1:51 PM to 3:21 PM EDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
8:18 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hempstead
8:00 PM EDT
Overnight-style route

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
Clifton Park
NY

Town in Saratoga County, New York state, USA

From Hempstead
179.3 mi
03h 55m
To Potsdam
179.4 mi
03h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph W
Destination
41°F
Overnight

Patchy Fog

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 5:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead and Potsdam.

  1. 1

    Start on Peninsula Boulevard

    24 m · 1 sec · Peninsula Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Clinton Street

    110 m · 18 sec · Clinton Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Front Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Front Street

  4. 4

    Turn slight left onto Hempstead Turnpike

    2 mi · 4 min · Hempstead Turnpike

  5. 5

    Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road

    2197 ft · 53 sec · New Hyde Park Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Tulip Avenue

    2 mi · 4 min · Tulip Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Jamaica Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn slight right onto Braddock Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Braddock Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Hillside Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Hillside Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Clearview Expressway

    5 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue on Throgs Neck Bridge

    2 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge

  12. 12

    Continue on Throgs Neck Expressway

    1.1 km · 1 min · Throgs Neck Expressway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Cross Bronx Expressway

    6.6 mi · 9 min · Cross Bronx Expressway

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on Trans-Manhattan Expressway

    1.1 km · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway

  15. 15

    Continue on George Washington Bridge (upper level)

    3167 ft · 60 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    2659 ft · 48 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left

    3214 ft · 39 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight left

    559 ft · 9 sec

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack

    1270 ft · 23 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on NJ 4 West: Paramus

    970 ft · 24 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight right

    6.7 mi · 9 min

  22. 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

  23. 23

    Keep slight right to continue on NJ 17 North: Mahwah

    1302 ft · 37 sec

  24. 24

    Merge slight left

    3.3 mi · 4 min

  25. 25

    Continue straight

    7.3 mi · 10 min

  26. 26

    Continue straight

    1.2 km · 50 sec

  27. 27

    Continue straight

    3.3 mi · 4 min

  28. 28

    Continue straight

    877 ft · 11 sec

  29. 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

  30. 30

    Take the exit slight right toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy

    1351 ft · 50 sec

  31. 31

    Continue straight

    9 mi · 12 min

  32. 32

    Keep slight left

    1863 ft · 29 sec

  33. 33

    Take the exit slight right toward NY 7 West: Schenectady, Saratoga Springs

    1472 ft · 50 sec

  34. 34

    Merge slight left

    3.1 mi · 4 min

  35. 35

    Take the exit slight right toward I 87 North: Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls

    1.3 km · 2 min

  36. 36

    Merge slight left onto Adirondack Northway

    71 mi · 1 hr 23 min · Adirondack Northway

  37. 37

    Take the exit slight right toward US 9: Pottersville, Minerva

    1346 ft · 31 sec

  38. 38

    Turn left onto Valley Farm Road

    1941 ft · 50 sec · Valley Farm Road

  39. 39

    At the end of the road, turn right

    1157 ft · 33 sec

  40. 40

    Turn slight left onto Olmstedville Road

    4.8 mi · 7 min · Olmstedville Road

  41. 41

    Continue on County Highway 29

    1.2 mi · 2 min · County Highway 29

  42. 42

    Keep slight right to continue on Donnelly Road

    3076 ft · 1 min · Donnelly Road

  43. 43

    Continue on A P Morse Highway

    2.8 mi · 4 min · A P Morse Highway

  44. 44

    Turn straight onto State Highway 28N

    29.6 mi · 42 min · State Highway 28N

  45. 45

    Continue on Newcomb Road

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Newcomb Road

  46. 46

    Continue on State Highway 28N

    1.1 km · 1 min · State Highway 28N

  47. 47

    Turn right onto Adirondack Trail

    2171 ft · 53 sec · Adirondack Trail

  48. 48

    Turn slight left onto Lake Street

    1628 ft · 40 sec · Lake Street

  49. 49

    Continue on Adirondack Trail

    18.2 mi · 25 min · Adirondack Trail

  50. 50

    Continue on Moody Road

    2469 ft · 47 sec · Moody Road

  51. 51

    Continue on Adirondack Trail

    1.2 km · 1 min · Adirondack Trail

  52. 52

    Continue on Wawbeek Avenue

    1.9 mi · 4 min · Wawbeek Avenue

  53. 53

    Turn right onto Park Street

    911 ft · 34 sec · Park Street

  54. 54

    Turn left onto Mill Street

    86 m · 13 sec · Mill Street

  55. 55

    Turn right onto Lake Street

    791 ft · 25 sec · Lake Street

  56. 56

    Continue on Demars Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Demars Boulevard

  57. 57

    Continue on Main Street

    1 mi · 3 min · Main Street

  58. 58

    Continue on State Route 3

    14.8 mi · 20 min · State Route 3

  59. 59

    Turn right onto State Highway 56

    31.4 mi · 47 min · State Highway 56

  60. 60

    Continue on Pierrepont Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · Pierrepont Avenue

  61. 61

    Continue on Park Street

    136 m · 17 sec · Park Street

  62. 62

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Elm Street

    86 m · 10 sec · Elm Street

  63. 63

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Elm Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
63 steps
20 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
4 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 87 North
113 mi · 31%
Adirondack Northway
71 mi · 20%
State Highway 56
31.4 mi · 9%
State Highway 28N
30.3 mi · 8%
Adirondack Trail
19.3 mi · 5%
NJ 17 North
15.1 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

Better with a longer stop

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

Drive Time
07h 50m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
15h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+76.2 mi
282.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clifton Park
03h 55m from Hempstead
Leave By
8:18 PM EDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving Hempstead and Patchy Fog near Potsdam.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Hempstead to Potsdam?

The road trip is about 358.7 miles (577.2 km) and usually takes 07h 50m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Clifton Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 179.3 miles from Hempstead and 179.4 miles from Potsdam.

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

The direct path is about 282.5 miles (454.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 76.2 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $50.75 one way or $101.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 112.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Hempstead and Patchy Fog near Potsdam.

Stop Ideas Near Clifton Park

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 Clifton Park and the surrounding midpoint area.
City Hall Lot
Scenic stop 9 mi away

City Hall Lot

Schenectady , NY
407 Liberty St, Schenectady, NY 12305
Rating 3.0/5 1 reviews Parking lot
Albany City Hall
Meeting point 14.4 mi away

Albany City Hall

Albany , NY
24 Eagle St, Albany, NY 12207
Rating 4.0/5 68 reviews City Hall,City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clifton Park.

RAIL

Schenectady

15 mi away
332 Erie Blvd.
BUS

Saratoga Springs, NY

23 mi away
267 Union Avenue
RAIL

Saratoga Springs station

24 mi away
26 Station Lane
RAIL

Albany–Rensselaer

25 mi away
525 East St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hempstead and Potsdam. Straight-line distance: 282.45 mi (454.56 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
Potsdam

#2 Potsdam

Village in New York

Population8,796
Coordinates44.6697800, -74.9813100
Altitude132
CountryUnited States
Start: Hempstead (-73.61874, 40.70621)
End: Potsdam (-74.98131, 44.66978)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 577 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)11h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)07h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)05h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
12.66 gal
47.91 L · about $50.75
Round trip
$101.51
25.32 gal · 95.82 L
Estimated CO2
112.5 kg one way
Round trip: 225 kg / 496 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.01 $50.75 $101.51
Mid-grade $4.48 $56.73 $113.46
Premium $4.86 $61.54 $123.08
Diesel $4.69 $59.43 $118.85

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Hempstead and Potsdam. The current time is 19:57:55.

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.