Hempstead Turnpike (NY 24)

A long-exposure of traffic passing on Hempstead Turnpike in Hempstead, New York on Long Island — A long-exposure shot captures streaks of car lights on Hempstead Turnpike (NY 24) in Hempstead, New York, as traffic moves past the pedestrian bridge at Hofstra University, a recognizable landmark along this busy Long Island thoroughfare. File photo: Ryan Bemben, licensed.

New York State Route 24 (NY 24), commonly known along its western Long Island segment as Hempstead Turnpike, is a major east–west arterial linking eastern Queens with central and eastern Nassau County before reaching the East Farmingdale area near the Nassau–Suffolk line.

Today, NY 24 exists in two separate segments. The best-known and most heavily traveled portion is the western stretch from Queens into Nassau County. Through most of Nassau it is called Hempstead Turnpike, while in the Village of Hempstead it follows Fulton Avenue for part of the route.

Along the way, Hempstead Turnpike serves as:

a major commercial corridor lined with shopping centers, restaurants, neighborhood services, and regional retail
an important connector between residential communities, college and event destinations, transit routes, and major parkways
one of Nassau County’s busier local travel routes, especially during commuter periods and peak shopping times

Road Character & Traffic Patterns

Lanes & configuration: Through much of Nassau County, Hempstead Turnpike is a wide, multi-lane boulevard with medians, turning lanes, and frequent signalized intersections. In older village and neighborhood sections, the roadway feels tighter and more urban.
Traffic conditions: Expect regular congestion at major intersections and during weekday rush hours. Delays can also build around shopping centers, school activity, and large events near Belmont Park, UBS Arena, and Hofstra University.
Commercial frontage: Much of the corridor is lined with strip retail, restaurants, service businesses, gas stations, and neighborhood plazas. The East Meadow, Levittown, and Plainedge stretches are especially commercial in character.
Transit & local access: The route is served by Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) bus routes in several sections, and it connects with many north–south local roads. Bus routes, stop locations, and service patterns may change, so it’s smart to check schedules ahead of time.

Getting Around & Visitor Tips

Allow extra travel time: Even short distances can take longer than expected because of traffic signals, turning vehicles, and retail driveways.
Watch for event traffic: Conditions can shift quickly near Belmont Park, UBS Arena, and the Hofstra/Uniondale area when major events are underway.
Business access varies by block: Some shopping centers have shared entrances, service roads, or restricted turn movements, so checking your route before you go can save time.
Check ahead for transit and parking details: Bus service, parking rules, and individual business hours vary by location and season.

History & Route Evolution

NY 24 was established as part of New York’s 1930 state highway renumbering.
Over time, the route was reconfigured, leaving today’s separate western and eastern NY 24 segments rather than one continuous Long Island route.
Maintenance responsibilities vary along the corridor, with some portions under state control and others maintained locally, including the Fulton Avenue section in the Village of Hempstead.
Although route numbering and maintenance have changed over the decades, the Hempstead Turnpike name remains the everyday identity of this corridor across much of Nassau County.

Local Impact & Community Significance

Economic importance: Hempstead Turnpike is one of Nassau County’s key retail corridors, supporting everything from national chains and supermarkets to long-running local businesses.
Regional connectivity: It links neighborhoods with major parkways, shopping districts, educational campuses, and entertainment destinations such as Belmont Park, UBS Arena, and Hofstra University.
Planning challenges: Congestion, closely spaced traffic signals, turning conflicts, and pedestrian safety remain recurring concerns along the corridor, especially in the busiest commercial stretches.
Transit role: In addition to carrying heavy auto traffic, Hempstead Turnpike functions as an important bus and local access corridor for residents, workers, students, and shoppers.

Route Description & Key Segments

Here’s a practical west-to-east overview of the western NY 24 corridor, highlighting the communities and major connections most travelers notice along the way.

Segment	Major Features & Notes
Queens (western terminus)	NY 24 begins in Queens Village near NY 25 (Hillside Avenue) and I-295 (the Clearview Expressway), then uses a short sequence of local streets before reaching Hempstead Avenue and continuing east.
Elmont / western Nassau approach	After crossing into Nassau County, the route takes on the Hempstead Turnpike name. It passes just south of Belmont Park and UBS Arena, then continues through Elmont and adjoining western Nassau business strips.
Village of Hempstead / Fulton Avenue section	Through the Village of Hempstead, NY 24 follows Fulton Avenue for part of the route. This section serves a dense, urbanized downtown-adjacent corridor with local businesses, civic buildings, and bus connections.
Hofstra / Uniondale stretch	East of Hempstead, the road widens into a broad divided boulevard near Hofstra University. It continues through Uniondale with nearby access to the Nassau Coliseum district and an interchange with the Meadowbrook Parkway.
East Meadow / Levittown / Plainedge to East Farmingdale	Farther east, Hempstead Turnpike remains heavily commercial as it crosses the Wantagh Parkway, meets NY 106/107 (Hicksville Road), and continues past East Meadow, Levittown, and Plainedge before ending near NY 110 in the East Farmingdale area.

Eastern segment note: NY 24 also has a separate eastern segment farther out in Suffolk County, generally running between the Riverhead area and Hampton Bays. It is no longer directly connected to Hempstead Turnpike in Nassau County.

Hempstead Turnpike remains one of the most important east–west roadways in Nassau County, connecting residential communities, shopping districts, educational institutions, entertainment venues, and major transportation routes across central Long Island. From its busy commercial stretches in Elmont, Hempstead, Uniondale, East Meadow, and Levittown to its connections with major destinations such as Belmont Park, UBS Arena, and Hofstra University, the corridor plays a central role in the daily movement of residents and visitors alike. While traffic congestion is often part of the experience, Hempstead Turnpike continues to serve as a vital transportation and economic artery whose influence extends across much of Long Island.