Skip to main content

Trip from Bath Beach, NY to Buffalo, NY

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

8h 7m

Distance

380.8 mi

613 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$63

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
8h 0m ★
6 AM
8h 8m
8 AM
8h 24m
10 AM
8h 14m
12 PM
8h 12m
3 PM
8h 14m
5 PM
8h 23m
8 PM
8h 3m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Bath Beach, NY, NY

Bath Beach, NY

Sarah O'Shea

Downtown Buffalo, NY, NY

Buffalo, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Bath Beach, NY to Buffalo, NY is 380.8 miles and takes about 8h 7m via I 86 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $63 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip spans the Northeast region, staying within New York State. It's a highway-focused drive that can be completed in a single, long day, or comfortably split over two days. Consider this route if you prioritize efficient travel between these two New York locations.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

190.4 miles from Bath Beach, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 4m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 86 100 mi 1h 56m
I 81 58.1 mi 1h 9m
Genesee Expressway 32.9 mi 37m
Christopher Columbus Highway 29 mi 34m
I 380 27.7 mi 30m
Keystone Shortway 17.3 mi 24m
NJ 10 12.8 mi 18m
Aurora Expressway 12.5 mi 14m
Longest stretch: I 86 — 100 mi, about 1h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bath Beach, NY and Buffalo, NY.

1

Start on Benson Avenue

251 ft · 11 sec · Benson Avenue
2

Turn right onto 18th Avenue

0.2 mi · 44 sec · 18th Avenue
3

Turn left onto 86th Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · 86th Street
4

Turn left onto Gatling Place

0.3 mi · 32 sec · Gatling Place
Use the left lane.
5

Take the ramp

148 ft · 3 sec
Toward I 278 Toll West: Verrazano Bridge, Staten Island Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 278

0.3 mi · 20 sec · Gowanus Expressway
8

Continue on I 278

1.4 mi · 2 min · Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
9

Continue on I 278

6.3 mi · 9 min · Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto Staten Island Expressway

1.1 mi · 1 min · Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 278

1.4 mi · 2 min · Goethals Bridge
12

Take the exit

150 ft · 4 sec
Exit 3B; 3C Toward NJ 439 North: Bayway Avenue, Elizabeth Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 3B Toward NJ 439 West: Elizabeth, Bayway Avenue
14

Turn left onto NJ 439

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Brunswick Avenue
15

Turn right onto NJ 439

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Bayway
Use the right lane.
16

Turn right onto CR 623

2.0 mi · 5 min · South Broad Street
Use the straight lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 27

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Broad Street
18

Turn left onto CR 628

1.0 mi · 1 min · Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
19

Turn right onto CR 509

0.4 mi · 49 sec · Chestnut Avenue
Use the right lane.
20

Turn right onto Paine Avenue

367 ft · 12 sec · Paine Avenue
21

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward I 78 West
22

Merge onto I 78

4.6 mi · 5 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
23

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 48 Toward NJ 24 West: Springfield, Morristown
24

Continue on NJ 24

9.4 mi · 11 min · NJ 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 287 North: Mahwah Use the slight right lane.
26

Merge onto I 287

0.9 mi · 1 min · I 287
27

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 39 Toward NJ 10: Dover, Whippany Use the slight right lane.
28

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward NJ 10 West: Dover Use the slight left lane.
29

Continue on NJ 10

13 mi · 18 min · NJ 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
30

Continue on US 46

1.2 mi · 1 min · US 46
31

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 80 West
32

Merge onto I 80

29 mi · 34 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway
35

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec
Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton
36

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380
Use the straight lane.
37

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81
Use the straight lane.
38

Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17

100 mi · 1 hr 56 min · I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
39

Keep slight left at fork onto I 390

33 mi · 37 min · Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
40

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 6 Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
41

Turn left onto NY 36

4.3 mi · 7 min · Sonyea Road
42

Continue on NY 36

1.8 mi · 4 min · Main Street
43

Continue on NY 36

1.3 mi · 1 min · Mount Morris Road
44

Turn left onto CR 64

2.3 mi · 3 min · Perry Road
45

Continue on US 20A

7.4 mi · 10 min · Leicester Road
46

Continue on US 20A

4.6 mi · 8 min · East Buffalo Street
47

Continue on US 20A

1.7 mi · 2 min · West Buffalo Road
48

Continue on US 20A

11 mi · 15 min · Varysburg Road
49

Continue on US 20A

11 mi · 15 min · Big Tree Road
50

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
51

Merge onto NY 400

13 mi · 14 min · Aurora Expressway
52

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
53

Merge onto I 90

1.3 mi · 1 min · New York State Thruway
54

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 53 Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls Use the straight / slight right lanes.
55

Continue on I 190

4.9 mi · 6 min · Niagara Thruway
56

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Exit 7 Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street Use the slight right lane.
57

Continue on NY 5

521 ft · 21 sec · Church Street
58

Turn left onto NY 384

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Delaware Avenue
Use the left lane.
59

Enter roundabout onto NY 384

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Niagara Square
60

Arrive at destination

NY 384

Trip Plan

Given the 8h 7m estimated duration, splitting this 380.8-mile drive over two days is a wise choice for a more relaxed experience. Aim to start early if attempting it in one go to maximize daylight. With only 2 recommended stops, plan your breaks strategically, especially considering the longest stretch of 100 miles on I 86. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $63, and service areas can be spaced out on interstates.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 190.4 miles from Bath Beach, NY, or about 4h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 84 miles or 1h 58m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 190.4 miles or 4h 4m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 190.4 miles or 4h 4m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 40m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffalo, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Bath Beach, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

+

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Bath Beach, NY

Aim for roughly 190 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Buffalo, NY

Aim for roughly 190 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Bath Beach, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 86 for about 100 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in New York, USA

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Cortland, NY

190 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Cortland, NY

Overnight Options

Night 1

Cortland, NY

190 mi · about 4.1h in

A practical overnight split lands near Cortland, NY after about 190 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Endwell, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 190.4 miles from Bath Beach, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 190 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 41

5 decision points cluster between mile 12.7 and 380.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
12.7 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward NJ 439 North: Bayway Avenue, Elizabeth

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 3B; 3C Toward NJ 439 North: Bayway Avenue, Elizabeth
8
12.7 mi into trip | ~21m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 439 West: Elizabeth, Bayway Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 3B Toward NJ 439 West: Elizabeth, Bayway Avenue
8
34.6 mi into trip | ~54m in

Take the exit toward NJ 10: Dover, Whippany

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 39 Toward NJ 10: Dover, Whippany
8
374.7 mi into trip | ~7h 58m in

Take the exit toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 53 Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara F...
8
380.2 mi into trip | ~8h 5m in

Take the exit toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 7 Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$62.68 one way

$125.36 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 133 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $67.78 $135.56
premium $4.92 $73.81 $147.61
diesel $5.61 $84.08 $168.15

Estimated Tolls: $16.31

Goethals Bridge $16.00
Niagara Thruway (4.9 mi) $0.24
New York State Thruway (1.3 mi) $0.07

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$63

Tolls

$16

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$209–$319

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 133.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 114.2 1 $39.98 $18.28
Efficient EV 95.2 1 $33.32 $15.23
EV Truck/SUV 152.3 1 $53.31 $24.37

Gas CO2

133 kg

EV CO2

45 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Bath Beach, NY

Morning in Bath Beach on Tuesday

Local time

9:26 AM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Buffalo, NY

Morning in Buffalo on Tuesday

Local time

9:26 AM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

6 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

8h 7m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Governors Island National Monument

Governors Island National Monument

National Monument

From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Statue Of Liberty National Monument

Statue Of Liberty National Monument

National Monument

A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...

8 mi from route ~19 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 70% of the journey on major roads like I 86 and the Genesee Expressway. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including a significant 100-mile segment on I 86. While primarily interstate, the drive offers a straightforward path, allowing for steady progress across the state. Expect a reliable and direct travel experience.

70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
60 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100 mi on I 86.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 41 significant decision points across 380.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Bath Beach, NY and Buffalo, NY, road signs point toward Morristown, Whippany and Letchworth Park.

Morristown

23.5 mi in | ~40m

Whippany

34.6 mi in | ~54m

Letchworth Park

315.4 mi in | ~6h 30m

About the Cities

Arriving in Buffalo, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1832

The largest city in New York State's Niagara Frontier, Buffalo is a city full of surprises. Though Buffalo is sometimes the butt of jokes about chicken wings, its long-suffering sports teams, and the mountains of snow under which it is supposedly buried each winter, those in the know tell a different story: one of vibrant nightlife, world-class museums and cultural attractions, tight-knit neighborhoods with strong community spirit – and the sunniest summers in Northeastern United States.

Top landmarks

  • Buffalo AKG Art Museum — art museum in New York, US
  • Buffalo City Hall — skyscraper and municipal building in Buffalo, New York, USA
  • USS Croaker — 1943 Gato-class submarine

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 100 miles on I 86. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 190 miles on day one.

Expect about $16.31 in tolls one way, starting with Goethals Bridge. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Buffalo, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Gateway National Recreation Area, Governors Island National Monument and Statue Of Liberty National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 8.1 hours each way, a round trip means 16.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Buffalo, NY before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Bath Beach, NY or browse trips ending in Buffalo, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.