Spanning 469.9 miles across New York, this cross-state trek from Bridgehampton to Buffalo is a significant undertaking that typically requires 10 hours of driving time. While technically possible in one long haul, we strongly recommend splitting the journey over two days to keep your arrival stress-free. You will primarily utilize I-86, the Christopher Columbus Highway, and I-81 to navigate between these two Northeast hubs. Budgeting roughly $77 for fuel is a safe baseline for your planning. This is a practical, highway-focused route that transitions you from the coastal environment of the island to the inland landscape of Western New York.
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
234.9 miles from Bridgehampton, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
100 mi
1h 56m
Christopher Columbus Highway
68.2 mi
1h 20m
I 81
58.1 mi
1h 9m
Long Island Expressway
41.4 mi
55m
Genesee Expressway
32.9 mi
37m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Sunrise Highway
24.2 mi
31m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 100 mi, about 1h 56m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 168 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,210 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,900
Quietest
1 AM
~430 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bridgehampton, NY and Buffalo, NY.
1
Start on CR 79
67 ft·1 sec·Bridgehampton–Sag Harbor Turnpike
2
Turn right onto NY 27
4.7 mi·9 min·Montauk Highway
Use the right lane.
3
Take the exit onto NY 27
372 ft·7 sec·NY 27
Toward NY 27 West: New York
4
Merge onto NY 27; CR 39A
5.5 mi·11 min·County Road 39A
5
Continue on NY 27
24 mi·31 min·Sunrise Highway
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·23 sec
Exit 57NToward CR 16 West: Yaphank, Horseblock RoadUse the right lane.
7
Turn left onto CR 56
0.2 mi·21 sec·Victory Avenue
8
Turn right onto CR 16
3.9 mi·5 min·Horseblock Road
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto Express Drive North
0.2 mi·14 sec·Express Drive North
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 495 WEST: New York
11
Merge onto I 495
41 mi·55 min·Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 31N-SToward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 31NToward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone BridgeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto CI
3.1 mi·4 min·Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 33Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New EnglandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi·3 min·Throgs Neck Bridge
17
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi·1 min·Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi·8 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
20
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
21
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi·39 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 69Toward I 80 West: Paterson, HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 80
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
31
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
32
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
33
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 390
33 mi·37 min·Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 6Toward NY 36: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
37
Turn left onto NY 36
4.3 mi·7 min·Sonyea Road
38
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi·4 min·Main Street
39
Continue on NY 36
1.3 mi·1 min·Mount Morris Road
40
Turn left onto CR 64
2.3 mi·3 min·Perry Road
41
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi·10 min·Leicester Road
42
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi·8 min·East Buffalo Street
43
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Road
44
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Varysburg Road
45
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Big Tree Road
46
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
47
Merge onto NY 400
13 mi·14 min·Aurora Expressway
48
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 90 East: Buffalo
49
Merge onto I 90
1.3 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
50
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 53Toward I 190 North: Downtown Buffalo, Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Continue on I 190
4.9 mi·6 min·Niagara Thruway
52
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 7Toward Buffalo, Outer Harbor, Church StreetUse the slight right lane.
53
Continue on NY 5
521 ft·21 sec·Church Street
54
Turn left onto NY 384
0.2 mi·29 sec·Delaware Avenue
Use the left lane.
55
Enter roundabout onto NY 384
0.2 mi·30 sec·Niagara Square
56
Arrive at destination
NY 384
Trip Plan
To manage the 10-hour duration effectively, plan for at least two intentional stops to break up the monotony of the highway. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and navigate the heavier traffic segments before they peak. Since you are covering nearly 470 miles, consider booking an overnight stay midway to ensure you arrive in Buffalo refreshed. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 100-mile stretch on I-86, as finding a service station can occasionally be less convenient on rural segments of the interstate. Prioritize these breaks to maintain focus, especially when transitioning between the various highway systems along your path.
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 234.9 miles from Bridgehampton, NY, or about 5h 5m 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 103 miles or 2h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 234.9 miles or 5h 5m 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 234.9 miles or 5h 5m
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 8h 33m
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 Bridgehampton, 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 Bridgehampton, NY
Aim for roughly 235 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Buffalo, NY
Aim for roughly 235 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 103 miles from Bridgehampton, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 38
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.4 and 96.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
34.4 mi into trip|~52m in
Take the exit toward CR 16 West: Yaphank, Horseblock Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 57N
Toward CR 16 West: Yaphank, Horseblock Road
8
80.4 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport
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 31N-S
Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge,...
10
80.6 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 31N
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone B...
8
84 mi into trip|~2h in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
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 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx,...
8
96.2 mi into trip|~2h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
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.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$76.02 one way
$152.03 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg164 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$82.49
$164.98
premium
$4.85
$89.69
$179.38
diesel
$4.80
$88.73
$177.45
Estimated Tolls: $23.14
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New Jersey Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.28
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
$76
Tolls
$23
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$229–$339
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 164.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
141
1
$49.34
$22.56
Efficient EV
117.5
1
$41.12
$18.80
EV Truck/SUV
188
2
$65.79
$30.07
Gas CO2
164 kg
EV CO2
55 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 Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Bridgehampton, NY
Night
in Bridgehampton on Saturday
Local time
9:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Smoke
NW 3 to 8 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Buffalo, NY
Night
in Buffalo on Saturday
Local time
9:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Areas Of Smoke
N 7 mph0% chanceLive 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
10h 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.
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 97.2
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 97.2
Immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife, Fire Island has been a special...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 32.4
Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 97.2
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 97.2
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...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 97.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a consistent interstate experience, as 61% of this journey is comprised of highway driving. You will settle into a rhythmic pace, notably during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 100 miles on I-86. The route maintains a steady, efficient character designed for making time rather than navigating winding local roads. As you transition between the major corridors of the Christopher Columbus Highway and I-81, the road maintains a predictable flow that keeps your travel time consistent. It is a straightforward, functional drive that favors steady speeds over technical maneuvering.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
56 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 Christopher Columbus Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 34.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 38 significant decision points across 469.9 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 34.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,864 ft5 ft
Total Climb
3,624 ft
Total Descent
3,066 ft
Highest Point
1,864 ft
~201.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,859 ft
Notable High Points
1,864 ft at ~201.4 miles+748 ft prominence
1,667 ft at ~436.3 miles+894 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bridgehampton, NY and Buffalo, NY, road signs point toward Cr 16 West: Yaphank, Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England and Upper Level - among others.
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
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 235 miles on day one.
Expect about $23.14 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington 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.
Yes — we found about 38 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 34.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Fire Island National Seashore (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.0 hours each way, a round trip means 20.0 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.
