How far is Waterford, NY from Hempstead, NY?
The driving distance from Waterford, NY to Hempstead, NY is about 173.2 miles (278.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 144.2 miles (232.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 41m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town in New York, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterford and Hempstead.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterford and Hempstead.
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1
Start on Division Street
31 m · 7 sec · Division Street
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2
Turn right onto 6th Street
157 m · 18 sec · 6th Street
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3
Turn right onto Broad Street
595 ft · 17 sec · Broad Street
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4
Continue on 9th Street
787 ft · 22 sec · 9th Street
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5
Continue on Saratoga Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Saratoga Avenue
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6
Continue on Saratoga Street
1802 ft · 53 sec · Saratoga Street
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7
Turn left onto Cohoes Boulevard
2.6 mi · 5 min · Cohoes Boulevard
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8
Merge slight right
8.5 mi · 12 min
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9
Continue on I 87 Toll: New York State Thruway
3231 ft · 1 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1
2725 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
111.2 mi · 2 hr 8 min · New York State Thruway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
1.5 km · 60 sec
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13
Continue straight
2496 ft · 39 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on NJ 17 South: Mahwah
14.1 mi · 19 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
566 ft · 19 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
2455 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left
1417 ft · 24 sec
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18
Continue straight
6.4 mi · 9 min
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19
Take the exit slight left toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
1124 ft · 18 sec
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20
Merge slight left
1.2 km · 55 sec
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21
Keep slight left
1.3 km · 1 min
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22
Continue on George Washington Bridge (upper level)
3174 ft · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
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23
Continue on Trans-Manhattan Expressway
1.2 km · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
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24
Continue on Cross Bronx Expressway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
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25
Keep slight right to continue on Cross Bronx Expressway
2 mi · 3 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
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26
Merge slight left onto Throgs Neck Expressway
3271 ft · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
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27
Continue on Throgs Neck Bridge
2 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
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28
Continue on Clearview Expressway
5 mi · 6 min · Clearview Expressway
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29
Turn left onto Hillside Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Hillside Avenue
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30
Turn right onto Braddock Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Braddock Avenue
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31
Turn left onto Jamaica Avenue
934 ft · 34 sec · Jamaica Avenue
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32
Continue on Jericho Turnpike
2886 ft · 57 sec · Jericho Turnpike
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33
Turn slight right onto Tulip Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Tulip Avenue
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34
Turn right onto New Hyde Park Road
2197 ft · 56 sec · New Hyde Park Road
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35
Turn left onto Hempstead Turnpike
2 mi · 4 min · Hempstead Turnpike
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36
Turn slight right onto Front Street
1.3 km · 2 min · Front Street
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37
Turn right onto Greenwich Street
548 ft · 11 sec · Greenwich Street
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38
Turn left onto Peninsula Boulevard
1041 ft · 26 sec · Peninsula Boulevard
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39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Peninsula Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterford and Hempstead.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
New York State Thruway
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
111 mi · 02h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny leaving Waterford 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 Waterford to Hempstead?
The road trip is about 173.2 miles (278.8 km) and usually takes 03h 41m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Plattekill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.6 miles from Waterford and 86.6 miles from Hempstead.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 144.2 miles (232.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 29 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:38 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.49 one way or $48.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Waterford and Partly Sunny near Hempstead.
Stop Ideas Near Plattekill
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Plattekill.
Poughkeepsie station
Rhinecliff–Kingston station
Croton–Harmon station
Hudson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterford and Hempstead. Straight-line distance: 144.19 mi (232.05 km).
#1 Waterford
Town in Saratoga County, New York, United States
| Population | 8,421 |
| Coordinates | 42.7925800, -73.6812300 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| 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: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.01 | $24.49 | $48.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.48 | $27.38 | $54.76 |
| Premium | $4.86 | $29.70 | $59.40 |
| Diesel | $4.69 | $28.68 | $57.36 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.