How far is Rockland, NY from Hempstead, NY?

The driving distance from Rockland, NY to Hempstead, NY is about 133.9 miles (215.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 108.8 miles (175.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 47m 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
133.89 mi
02h 53m
Flight
108.81 mi
175.11 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rockland.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
108.81 mi
Kilometers
175.11 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
133.89 mi
Kilometers
215.47 km
Drive Time
02h 53m

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 02h 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hempstead
Sat, Apr 18, 3:42 AM EDT
Return by in Rockland
Sat, Apr 18, 6:36 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rockland
2026-04-18T00:48
Arrive Hempstead
Sat, Apr 18, 3:42 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:54 AM to 12:54 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:42 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rockland
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
Monroe
NY

Town in New York, United States

From Rockland
66.9 mi
01h 26m
To Hempstead
67 mi
01h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
67°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE
Destination
63°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Wilcox Avenue

    10 m · 3 sec · Wilcox Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Rockland Road

    1 km · 1 min · Rockland Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Old Route 17

    1512 ft · 34 sec · Old Route 17

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Stewart Avenue

    793 ft · 21 sec · Stewart Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left toward NY 17 East: New York City

    1078 ft · 26 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    69.2 mi · 1 hr 23 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City

    1.1 km · 60 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 87 Toll South: New York City

    1.5 km · 2 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway

    13.7 mi · 16 min · New York State Thruway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey

    1.5 km · 60 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    2496 ft · 39 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on NJ 17 South: Mahwah

    14.1 mi · 19 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York

    566 ft · 19 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York

    2455 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    1417 ft · 24 sec

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    6.4 mi · 9 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge

    1124 ft · 18 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    1.2 km · 55 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight left

    1.3 km · 1 min

  20. 20

    Continue on George Washington Bridge (upper level)

    3174 ft · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)

  21. 21

    Continue on Trans-Manhattan Expressway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway

  22. 22

    Continue on Cross Bronx Expressway

    4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway

  23. 23

    Keep slight right to continue on Cross Bronx Expressway

    2 mi · 3 min · Cross Bronx Expressway

  24. 24

    Merge slight left onto Throgs Neck Expressway

    3271 ft · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway

  25. 25

    Continue on Throgs Neck Bridge

    2 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge

  26. 26

    Continue on Clearview Expressway

    5 mi · 6 min · Clearview Expressway

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Hillside Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Hillside Avenue

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Braddock Avenue

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Braddock Avenue

  29. 29

    Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue

    934 ft · 34 sec · Jamaica Avenue

  30. 30

    Continue on Jericho Turnpike

    2886 ft · 57 sec · Jericho Turnpike

  31. 31

    Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue

    2 mi · 4 min · Tulip Avenue

  32. 32

    Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road

    2197 ft · 56 sec · New Hyde Park Road

  33. 33

    Turn left onto Hempstead Turnpike

    2 mi · 4 min · Hempstead Turnpike

  34. 34

    Turn slight right onto Front Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · Front Street

  35. 35

    Turn right onto Greenwich Street

    548 ft · 11 sec · Greenwich Street

  36. 36

    Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard

    1041 ft · 26 sec · Peninsula Boulevard

  37. 37

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Peninsula Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
37 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
5 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
27.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
NY 17 East
69.4 mi · 52%
NJ 17 South
14.1 mi · 11%
New York State Thruway
13.7 mi · 10%
NJ 4 East
7.12 mi · 5%
Cross Bronx Expressway
6.64 mi · 5%
Clearview Expressway
5.02 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

NY 17 East

Merge slight left

69.2 mi · 01h 23m

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
02h 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.1 mi
108.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Monroe
01h 26m from Rockland
Leave By
12:42 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Rockland and Partly Sunny near Hempstead.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 133.9 miles (215.5 km) and usually takes 02h 53m 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?

Monroe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.9 miles from Rockland and 67 miles from Hempstead.

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

The direct path is about 108.8 miles (175.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.1 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 12:42 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.92 one way or $37.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Rockland and Partly Sunny near Hempstead.

Stop Ideas Near Monroe

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Monroe, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Monroe.

RAIL

Croton–Harmon station

30 mi away
1 Croton Point Avenue
RAIL

Poughkeepsie station

47 mi away
41 Main St.
RAIL

Yonkers station

50 mi away
5 Buena Vista Ave.
RAIL

New Rochelle station

57 mi away
1 Railroad Plaza

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rockland and Hempstead. Straight-line distance: 108.81 mi (175.11 km).

Rockland

#1 Rockland

Town in Sullivan County, New York, United States

Population3,684
Coordinates41.9453700, -74.9129400
Altitude394
CountryUnited States
Hempstead

#2 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
Start: Rockland (-74.91294, 41.94537)
End: Hempstead (-73.61874, 40.70621)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 215 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 40m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 54m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 40m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.72 gal
17.88 L · about $18.92
Round trip
$37.84
9.44 gal · 35.76 L
Estimated CO2
41.9 kg one way
Round trip: 83.9 kg / 185 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.01 $18.92 $37.84
Mid-grade $4.48 $21.15 $42.30
Premium $4.86 $22.94 $45.89
Diesel $4.69 $22.16 $44.31

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Rockland and Hempstead. The current time is 00:48:58.

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.