How far is Riverhead, NY from Hempstead, NY?
The driving distance from Riverhead, NY to Hempstead, NY is about 57 miles (91.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 52.1 miles (83.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 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.
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 17m.
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.
Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Riverhead and Hempstead.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverhead and Hempstead.
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1
Start on East Main Street
43 m · 11 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn left onto Peconic Avenue
635 ft · 17 sec · Peconic Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Nugent Drive
732 ft · 20 sec · Nugent Drive
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4
Take the exit slight left toward CR 51 south: Suffolk County Offices, Criminal/Surrogate/Family Courts, Suffolk County Community College - Riverhead Campus, East Moriches
88 m · 7 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Center Drive South
1.7 mi · 3 min · Center Drive South
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6
Continue on East Moriches-Riverhead Road
5.3 mi · 7 min · East Moriches-Riverhead Road
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward NY 27 West: New York
1.1 km · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Sunrise Highway
22.4 mi · 31 min · Sunrise Highway
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9
Turn slight right onto Sunrise Highway
1.1 km · 1 min · Sunrise Highway
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10
Take the ramp slight right toward SO West: New York
1609 ft · 39 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Heckscher State Parkway
6 mi · 7 min · Heckscher State Parkway
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12
Continue on Southern State Parkway
694 ft · 9 sec · Southern State Parkway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Southern State Parkway
17.4 mi · 22 min · Southern State Parkway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Nassau Road, Hempstead, Freeport
760 ft · 26 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Uniondale
50 m · 6 sec
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16
Turn right onto Nassau Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Nassau Road
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17
Continue on Greenwich Street
3218 ft · 1 min · Greenwich Street
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18
Turn right onto Henry Street
2468 ft · 57 sec · Henry Street
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19
Turn right onto Peninsula Boulevard
20 m · 1 sec · Peninsula Boulevard
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Peninsula Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverhead and Hempstead.
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
22.4 mi · 00h 31m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Riverhead and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Hempstead.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riverhead to Hempstead?
The road trip is about 57 miles (91.7 km) and usually takes 01h 17m 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 28.5 miles from Riverhead and 28.5 miles from Hempstead.
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 4.9 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 3:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.06 one way or $16.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Riverhead and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Hempstead.
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 Riverhead and Hempstead. Straight-line distance: 52.11 mi (83.86 km).
#1 Riverhead
Town in New York
| Population | 33,434 |
| Coordinates | 40.9170400, -72.6620400 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Hempstead (-73.61874, 40.70621)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 92 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 | $8.06 | $16.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $9.01 | $18.01 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $9.77 | $19.54 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $9.43 | $18.87 |
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.