How far is South Hempstead, NY from Manhattan, NY?
The driving distance from South Hempstead, NY to Manhattan, NY is about 30.4 miles (49 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19.7 miles (31.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 44m 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 00h 52m.
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 Ulster County, New York
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Hempstead and Manhattan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Hempstead and Manhattan.
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1
Start on Stratford Road
36 m · 12 sec · Stratford Road
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2
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
2504 ft · 1 min · Grand Avenue
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3
Take the ramp right toward SO West
606 ft · 15 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Southern State Parkway
6.1 mi · 8 min · Southern State Parkway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
1780 ft · 43 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Cross Island Parkway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Cross Island Parkway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward NY 24: UBS Arena-Belmont Park
97 m · 9 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on NY 24 West: Hempstead Avenue
133 m · 12 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Cross Island Parkway North, Hempstead Avenue West
532 ft · 15 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Hempstead Avenue West
81 m · 8 sec
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11
Continue on Grandstand, Hempstead Avenue West
549 ft · 14 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Hempstead Avenue
31 m · 5 sec
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13
Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · Hempstead Avenue
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14
Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue
553 ft · 17 sec · Jamaica Avenue
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15
Turn right onto 212th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 212th Street
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16
Continue on Clearview Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Clearview Expressway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 495: Long Island Expressway, Manhattan, Eastern Long Island
973 ft · 24 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 495 West: Long Island Expressway West, Manhattan
1509 ft · 37 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Long Island Expressway
8.4 mi · 12 min · Long Island Expressway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, Hunters Point Avenue, Greenpoint Avenue
2280 ft · 44 sec
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21
Turn straight onto Laurel Hill Boulevard
24 m · 2 sec · Laurel Hill Boulevard
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Hunters Point Avenue
2199 ft · 1 min · Hunters Point Avenue
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23
Turn right onto Van Dam Street
1856 ft · 1 min · Van Dam Street
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24
Continue on Van Dam Street
34 m · 8 sec · Van Dam Street
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25
Turn left onto Queens Boulevard
1850 ft · 35 sec · Queens Boulevard
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26
Continue on Queensboro Plaza
1.2 km · 58 sec · Queensboro Plaza
-
27
Continue on Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Level
1.4 km · 2 min · Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge Lower Level
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28
Keep slight right to continue on 60th Street West
97 m · 11 sec
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29
Turn left onto East 60th Street
708 ft · 28 sec · East 60th Street
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30
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
3148 ft · 2 min · 3rd Avenue
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31
Turn left onto East 72nd Street
1530 ft · 41 sec · East 72nd Street
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32
Turn right onto Madison Avenue
1.1 km · 3 min · Madison Avenue
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33
Turn left onto East 85th Street
154 m · 12 sec · East 85th Street
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34
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
1927 ft · 1 min · 86th Street Transverse
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 86th Street Transverse
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Hempstead and Manhattan.
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.
Long Island Expressway
Merge slight left onto Long Island Expressway
8.39 mi · 00h 12m
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.
Sunny leaving South Hempstead and Sunny near Manhattan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Hempstead to Manhattan?
The road trip is about 30.4 miles (49 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Hillside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.1 miles from South Hempstead and 17.3 miles from Manhattan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19.7 miles (31.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.7 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 4:46 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.29 one way or $8.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around South Hempstead and Sunny near Manhattan.
Stop Ideas Near Hillside
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Radio City Music Hall
The Yard: City Hall Park NYC
CITY HALL LOBBY
Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hillside.
Pennsylvania Station
New Rochelle station
Yonkers station
Pennsylvania Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Hempstead and Manhattan. Straight-line distance: 19.69 mi (31.68 km).
#1 South Hempstead
Census-designated place in Nassau County, New York
| Population | 3,243 |
| Coordinates | 40.6809400, -73.6154100 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Manhattan
The most densely populated borough of New York City.
| Population | 1,644,518 |
| Coordinates | 40.7834300, -73.9662500 |
| Altitude | 35 |
| Country | United States |
End: 86th Street Transverse Road (-73.965969, 40.783967)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 49 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $4.29 | $8.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $4.79 | $9.59 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $5.20 | $10.40 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $5.02 | $10.05 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.