How far is Wading River, NY from Hempstead, NY?

The driving distance from Wading River, NY to Hempstead, NY is about 53 miles (85.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 43.9 miles (70.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 29m 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
53.02 mi
01h 14m
Flight
43.94 mi
70.72 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wading River.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
43.94 mi
Kilometers
70.72 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
53.02 mi
Kilometers
85.33 km
Drive Time
01h 14m

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 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hempstead
Thu, Apr 23, 10:11 AM EDT
Return by in Wading River
Thu, Apr 23, 11:25 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wading River
2026-04-23T08:56
Arrive Hempstead
Thu, Apr 23, 10:11 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:15 AM to 11:15 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:00 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wading River
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
North Great River
NY

Census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York

From Wading River
26.5 mi
00h 37m
To Hempstead
26.5 mi
00h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph NW
Destination
Hempstead Weather
NY
Live fallback forecast
58°F
Thursday
Using Mineola as the closest live forecast in the Nassau County weather hub.

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wading River and Hempstead.

  1. 1

    Start on North Country Road

    10 m · 8 sec · North Country Road

  2. 2

    Turn sharp left onto Wading River Manor Road

    2288 ft · 2 min · Wading River Manor Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto NY-25A

    1520 ft · 29 sec · NY-25A

  4. 4

    Continue on Route 25A

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Route 25A

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight toward CR 46 south: Smith Point Park

    714 ft · 22 sec

  6. 6

    Continue on William Floyd Parkway

    7.1 mi · 10 min · William Floyd Parkway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 495 West: New York

    1.5 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Long Island Expressway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Long Island Expressway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 101: Sills Road, Yaphank, East Patchogue

    2395 ft · 53 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Patchogue-Yaphank Road

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Patchogue-Yaphank Road

  11. 11

    Continue on Sills Road

    1.1 km · 57 sec · Sills Road

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Sunrise Service Road North

    655 ft · 20 sec · Sunrise Service Road North

  13. 13

    Take the ramp slight left toward NY 27 West

    538 ft · 13 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Sunrise Highway

    10.7 mi · 15 min · Sunrise Highway

  15. 15

    Turn slight right onto Sunrise Highway

    1.1 km · 1 min · Sunrise Highway

  16. 16

    Take the ramp slight right toward SO West: New York

    1609 ft · 39 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Heckscher State Parkway

    6 mi · 7 min · Heckscher State Parkway

  18. 18

    Continue on Southern State Parkway

    694 ft · 9 sec · Southern State Parkway

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on Southern State Parkway

    17.4 mi · 22 min · Southern State Parkway

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward Nassau Road, Hempstead, Freeport

    760 ft · 26 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight right to continue on Uniondale

    50 m · 6 sec

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Nassau Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Nassau Road

  23. 23

    Continue on Greenwich Street

    3218 ft · 1 min · Greenwich Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Henry Street

    2468 ft · 57 sec · Henry Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Peninsula Boulevard

    20 m · 1 sec · Peninsula Boulevard

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Peninsula Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
26 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
49.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Southern State Parkway
17.5 mi · 33%
Sunrise Highway
11.4 mi · 21%
William Floyd Parkway
7.06 mi · 13%
Heckscher State Parkway
5.99 mi · 11%
Patchogue-Yaphank Road
2.55 mi · 5%
Route 25A
1.56 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Southern State Parkway

Keep slight left to continue on Southern State Parkway

17.4 mi · 00h 22m

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
01h 14m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.1 mi
43.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
North Great River
00h 37m from Wading River
Leave By
4:00 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Wading River and Mostly Sunny near Hempstead.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Wading River to Hempstead?

The road trip is about 53 miles (85.3 km) and usually takes 01h 14m 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?

North Great River is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.5 miles from Wading River and 26.5 miles from Hempstead.

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

The direct path is about 43.9 miles (70.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.1 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 4:00 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.50 one way or $14.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Wading River and Mostly Sunny near Hempstead.

Stop Ideas Near North Great River

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around North Great River and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town of Babylon History Museum at Old Town Hall
Scenic stop 9.2 mi away

Town of Babylon History Museum at Old Town Hall

Babylon , NY
47 W Main St, Babylon, NY 11702
Rating 4.6/5 26 reviews Tourist attraction,History museum
Brookhaven Town Hall
Meeting point 10.1 mi away

Brookhaven Town Hall

Farmingville , NY
1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738
Rating 3.4/5 48 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Great River.

RAIL

Stamford Transportation Center

46 mi away
Washington Blvd and South State St.
RAIL

Bridgeport

48 mi away
525 Water St.
RAIL

New Rochelle station

55 mi away
1 Railroad Plaza
RAIL

Union Station

65 mi away
50 Union Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wading River and Hempstead. Straight-line distance: 43.94 mi (70.72 km).

Wading River

#1 Wading River

Census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York

Population7,719
Coordinates40.9503800, -72.8426000
Altitude28
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: Wading River (-72.8426, 40.95038)
End: Hempstead (-73.61874, 40.70621)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 85 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.87 gal
7.08 L · about $7.50
Round trip
$14.99
3.74 gal · 14.16 L
Estimated CO2
16.6 kg one way
Round trip: 33.2 kg / 73 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.01 $7.50 $14.99
Mid-grade $4.48 $8.38 $16.76
Premium $4.86 $9.09 $18.18
Diesel $4.69 $8.78 $17.56

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

There is no time difference between Wading River and Hempstead. The current time is 08:56:39.

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.