How far is Hempstead, NY from Riverhead, NY?
The driving distance from Hempstead, NY to Riverhead, NY is about 56.7 miles (91.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 52.1 miles (83.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 19m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hempstead and Riverhead.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead and Riverhead.
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1
Start on Peninsula Boulevard
566 ft · 12 sec · Peninsula Boulevard
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2
Turn slight right onto Front Street
860 ft · 15 sec · Front Street
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3
Turn slight right
34 m · 4 sec
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4
Turn straight onto William Street
2138 ft · 1 min · William Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Jerusalem Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · Jerusalem Avenue
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Jerusalem Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Jerusalem Avenue
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7
Turn slight right onto Merrick Avenue North
682 ft · 16 sec · Merrick Avenue North
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward SO East: East Islip
676 ft · 17 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Southern State Parkway
15.2 mi · 18 min · Southern State Parkway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Southern State Parkway
1072 ft · 16 sec · Southern State Parkway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore
1044 ft · 32 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Bay Shore Road
2667 ft · 1 min · Bay Shore Road
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13
Continue on Howells Road
1845 ft · 44 sec · Howells Road
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14
Turn straight onto Sunrise Highway
104 m · 7 sec · Sunrise Highway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Sunrise Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Sunrise Highway
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16
Take the ramp slight left toward NY 27 East: Montauk
694 ft · 17 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Sunrise Highway
27.2 mi · 37 min · Sunrise Highway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward CR 51: East Moriches, Riverhead
1266 ft · 31 sec
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19
Keep slight right to continue on CR 51 South: East Moriches
836 ft · 22 sec
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20
Continue on South Sunrise Highway Service Road
2748 ft · 57 sec · South Sunrise Highway Service Road
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21
Turn left onto Eastport Manor Road
1302 ft · 35 sec · Eastport Manor Road
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22
Turn right onto East Moriches-Riverhead Road
5.3 mi · 7 min · East Moriches-Riverhead Road
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23
Continue on Center Drive South
1.6 mi · 2 min · Center Drive South
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24
Take the ramp straight toward CR 94 east: Downtown Riverhead, Flanders, Hampton Bays
77 m · 5 sec
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25
Merge slight left onto Nugent Drive
592 ft · 14 sec · Nugent Drive
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26
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Peconic Avenue
104 m · 20 sec · Peconic Avenue
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27
Exit the roundabout onto Peconic Avenue
830 ft · 23 sec · Peconic Avenue
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28
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Main Street
43 m · 6 sec · East Main Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hempstead and Riverhead.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Sunrise Highway
Merge slight left onto Sunrise Highway
27.2 mi · 00h 37m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving Hempstead and Chance Rain Showers near Riverhead.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hempstead to Riverhead?
The road trip is about 56.7 miles (91.2 km) and usually takes 01h 19m 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?
Bohemia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.3 miles from Hempstead and 28.4 miles from Riverhead.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 52.1 miles (83.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.6 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 3:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.02 one way or $16.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Hempstead and Chance Rain Showers near Riverhead.
Stop Ideas Near Bohemia
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town of Babylon History Museum at Old Town Hall
Brookhaven Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bohemia.
Bridgeport
Stamford Transportation Center
New Rochelle station
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hempstead and Riverhead. Straight-line distance: 52.11 mi (83.86 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 Riverhead
Town in New York
| Population | 33,434 |
| Coordinates | 40.9170400, -72.6620400 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: Riverhead (-72.66204, 40.91704)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 91 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $8.02 | $16.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $8.96 | $17.92 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $9.72 | $19.44 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $9.39 | $18.78 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.