How far is South Hempstead, NY from New York City, NY?
The driving distance from South Hempstead, NY to New York City, NY is about 31.9 miles (51.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.6 miles (33.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 57m 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 58m.
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
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Hempstead and New York City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Hempstead and New York City.
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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
7.3 mi · 10 min · Long Island Expressway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
1.6 km · 2 min
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21
Keep slight right to continue on I 278 West: Brooklyn, 48th Street
569 ft · 11 sec
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22
Keep slight left to continue on I 278 West: Brooklyn
2055 ft · 32 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
2 mi · 3 min · Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
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24
Keep slight left to continue on Williamsburg Bridge
1.1 km · 2 min · Williamsburg Bridge
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25
Keep slight left to continue on Williamsburg Bridge
1.2 mi · 3 min · Williamsburg Bridge
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26
Continue on Delancey Street
2472 ft · 2 min · Delancey Street
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27
Continue on Kenmare Street
1154 ft · 57 sec · Kenmare Street
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28
At the end of the road, turn left onto Lafayette Street
1044 ft · 43 sec · Lafayette Street
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29
Turn right onto Howard Street
155 m · 25 sec · Howard Street
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30
Turn left onto Broadway
2418 ft · 2 min · Broadway
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Hempstead and New York City.
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
7.3 mi · 00h 10m
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 New York City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Hempstead to New York City?
The road trip is about 31.9 miles (51.3 km) and usually takes 00h 58m 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 13.2 miles from South Hempstead and 18.6 miles from New York City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.6 miles (33.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.3 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 4:32 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.53 one way or $9.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around South Hempstead and Sunny near New York City.
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 New York City. Straight-line distance: 20.59 mi (33.13 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 New York City
The most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York metropolitan area.
| Population | 8,398,748 |
| Coordinates | 40.7142700, -74.0059700 |
| Altitude | 10 |
| Country | United States |
End: Broadway (-74.006153, 40.714356)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 51 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $4.53 | $9.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $5.06 | $10.13 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $5.49 | $10.99 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $5.30 | $10.61 |
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.