Traveling from Buffalo to Almond covers 89.5 miles of Northeast terrain, typically requiring about 2 hours and 9 minutes of driving time. Because this is a straightforward trek within New York, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $15 on fuel, making this an affordable trip for a quick getaway or a necessary commute. You will primarily navigate a combination of the Aurora Expressway, the Southern Tier Expressway, and Olean Road. Since the route stays entirely within the Northeast, you won't deal with major regional climate shifts, but you should prepare for the varied conditions inherent to the state's interior roads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.7 miles from Buffalo, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Aurora Expressway
16.8 mi
19m
Southern Tier Expressway
14.3 mi
16m
Olean Road
12.2 mi
18m
Freedom Rushford
11 mi
16m
State Highway 98
8.4 mi
12m
NY 19
8.2 mi
12m
Niagara Thruway
4.9 mi
6m
West Main Street
2.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Aurora Expressway
— 16.8 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, NY and Almond, NY.
1
Start on NY 384
100 ft·2 sec·Niagara Square
2
Continue on Perkins Drive
321 ft·16 sec·Perkins Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5
0.1 mi·19 sec·South Elmwood Avenue
4
Keep slight right at fork
206 ft·8 sec
5
At end of road, turn right onto Church Street
501 ft·16 sec·Church Street
Use the right lane.
6
Take the exit
175 ft·4 sec
Toward I 190, NY 5 West: Skyway, Peace Bridge, Canada
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward I 190 South, NY 5 West: SkywayUse the left / right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 190
4.9 mi·6 min·Niagara Thruway
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·28 sec
Exit 54-61Toward I 90 West: ErieUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 90
1.3 mi·1 min·New York State Thruway
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·57 sec
Exit 54Toward NY 400, NY 16: West Seneca, East AuroraUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on NY 400
17 mi·19 min·Aurora Expressway
13
Enter roundabout onto NY 16
89 ft·1 sec·Olean Road
14
Continue on NY 16
4.6 mi·7 min·Olean Road
15
Continue on NY 16
1.6 mi·3 min·North Main Street
16
Continue on NY 16
7.3 mi·10 min·Olean Road
17
Continue on NY 16; NY 39
0.6 mi·56 sec·State Highway 16
18
Continue on NY 16; NY 39
0.2 mi·26 sec·Olean Road
19
Turn left onto NY 39
1.1 mi·2 min·State Route 39
20
Continue on NY 39
1.7 mi·4 min·West Main Street
21
Turn right onto NY 98
0.6 mi·1 min·Liberty Street
22
Continue on NY 98
8.4 mi·12 min·State Highway 98
23
Turn straight onto NY 243
11 mi·16 min·Freedom Rushford
24
At end of road, turn right onto NY 19
8.2 mi·12 min·NY 19
25
Turn left onto CR 16
2.3 mi·4 min·County Highway 16
26
Continue on West Main Street
1.2 mi·2 min·West Main Street
27
Enter roundabout onto East Main Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·East Main Street
28
Continue on East Main Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·East Main Street
29
Turn right onto Peacock Hill Road
0.4 mi·43 sec·Peacock Hill Road
30
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
31
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
14 mi·16 min·Southern Tier Expressway
32
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 33Toward Almond, Andover
33
Turn right onto CR 2
0.1 mi·24 sec·Karrdale Street
34
Turn right onto Chapel Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·Chapel Street
35
Arrive at destination
Chapel Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for a two-hour window ensures you arrive without stress. With zero mandatory stops programmed into the route, you are free to pull over whenever you need a break, but be mindful that the 89.5-mile distance passes quickly once you hit the expressways. Budgeting $15 for fuel is a solid baseline, but keep an eye on your gauge before leaving the more populated Buffalo area to ensure you are topped off. A helpful tip for this specific trek is to prioritize your timing around the Southern Tier Expressway segments, as traffic flow can vary significantly throughout the day.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.7 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 20 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.7 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Almond, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Buffalo, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Buffalo, NY
This is one driving day of about 89.5 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Buffalo, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Aurora Expressway for about 16.8 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 7.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|NY 5 / South Elmwood Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5 / South Elmwood Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Church Street
At end of road, turn right onto Church Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
9
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 190 South, NY 5 West: Skyway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward I 190 South, NY 5 West: Skyway
8
5.5 mi into trip|~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 West: Erie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 54-61
Toward I 90 West: Erie
8
7.1 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward NY 400, NY 16: West Seneca, East Aurora
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 54
Toward NY 400, NY 16: West Seneca, East Aurora
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.73 one way
$29.46 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$15.93
$31.86
premium
$4.92
$17.35
$34.69
diesel
$5.61
$19.76
$39.52
Estimated Tolls: $0.30
Niagara Thruway
(4.9 mi)$0.24
New York State Thruway
(1.3 mi)$0.06
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
$15
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.8
0
$9.40
$4.30
Efficient EV
22.4
0
$7.83
$3.58
EV Truck/SUV
35.8
0
$12.53
$5.73
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 12, 2026
Origin
Buffalo, NY
Morning
in Buffalo on Sunday
Local time
6:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
32°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 3 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 1:11AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Almond, NY
Morning
in Almond on Sunday
Local time
6:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Freedom, NY
45 mi in
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.
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
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 9m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing efficient highway travel with more localized road segments. Approximately 58% of your journey takes place on highways, allowing for steady progress through the landscape. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch along the Aurora Expressway, which spans 16.8 miles of the drive. As you transition between the expressways and Olean Road, the character of the road shifts from fast-paced, multi-lane transit to a more traditional driving experience. Keeping your focus sharp is essential as the infrastructure changes to match the needs of the surrounding area.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 16.8 mi on Aurora Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near NY 5 / South Elmwood Avenue.
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 22 significant decision points across 89.5 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 0.1 miles (NY 5 / South Elmwood Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (Church Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,783 ft615 ft
Total Climb
1,168 ft
Total Descent
462 ft
Highest Point
1,783 ft
~48.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,168 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Buffalo, NY to Almond, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Aurora along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 89.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 16.8 miles on Aurora Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.30 in tolls one way, starting with Niagara Thruway. 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.
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 Almond, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (NY 5 / South Elmwood Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (Church Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Almond, NY before heading back.
