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Trip from Buffalo, NY to East Rockaway, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

8h 20m

Distance

399.8 mi

643 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$66

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
8h 13m ★
6 AM
8h 21m
8 AM
8h 36m
10 AM
8h 26m
12 PM
8h 25m
3 PM
8h 27m
5 PM
8h 35m
8 PM
8h 16m

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

Downtown Buffalo, NY, NY

Buffalo, NY

Wikimedia Commons

village in Nassau County, New York, United States of America

East Rockaway, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 399.8-mile journey from Buffalo, NY to East Rockaway, NY will take approximately 8 hours and 20 minutes of driving time. Given the duration, it's best planned as a two-day trip to allow for comfortable stops and exploration. The drive is primarily highway-focused, with 62% of the route on major roads like the Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and I-81. Budget around $66 for fuel. This route stays within the Northeast region, making for a straightforward, albeit long, drive across New York State.

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

199.9 miles from Buffalo, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 14m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Southern Tier Expressway 104.5 mi 2h 2m
Keystone Shortway 80 mi 1h 37m
I 81 53.4 mi 1h 3m
Genesee Expressway 32.6 mi 37m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
Aurora Expressway 12.4 mi 14m
Varysburg Road 10.9 mi 15m
Big Tree Road 10.5 mi 15m
Longest stretch: Southern Tier Expressway — 104.5 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, NY and East Rockaway, 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: Skyway Use 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 54-61 Toward I 90 West: Erie Use 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 54 Toward NY 400, NY 16: West Seneca, East Aurora Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on NY 400

12 mi · 14 min · Aurora Expressway
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward US 20A, NY 78: East Aurora
14

Turn left onto US 20A; NY 78

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Main Street
15

Continue on US 20A; NY 78

11 mi · 15 min · Big Tree Road
16

Continue on US 20A

11 mi · 15 min · Varysburg Road
17

Continue on US 20A

1.7 mi · 2 min · West Buffalo Road
18

Continue on US 20A

4.6 mi · 8 min · West Buffalo Street
19

Continue on US 20A

7.4 mi · 10 min · Perry Center Road
20

Continue on CR 64

2.3 mi · 3 min · Perry Road
21

Turn right onto NY 36

1.3 mi · 1 min · Mount Morris Road
22

Continue on NY 36

1.8 mi · 4 min · North Main Street
23

Continue on NY 36

4.1 mi · 7 min · Sonyea Road
24

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
25

Merge onto I 390

33 mi · 37 min · Genesee Expressway
26

Merge onto I 86

105 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Southern Tier Expressway
27

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.
28

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 6
Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
29

Continue on I 84; I 380

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford Use the straight lane.
30

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
31

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
32

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
33

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 5 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level Use the slight right lane.
34

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.
36

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue
38

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
39

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
40

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
41

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
43

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
45

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.6 mi · 1 min · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46

Continue on I 95; US 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Trans-Manhattan Expressway
47

Continue on I 95; US 1

4.7 mi · 6 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48

Keep slight right at fork onto I 295

2.0 mi · 2 min · Cross Bronx Expressway
Exit 6B Toward I 295 South: Throgs Neck Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
49

Merge onto I 295

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Throgs Neck Expressway
50

Continue on I 295

2.0 mi · 3 min · Throgs Neck Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51

Continue on I 295

5.0 mi · 5 min · Clearview Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52

Continue on NY 24

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hollis Court Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
53

At end of road, turn left onto NY 24

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Jamaica Avenue
Use the left lane.
54

Turn right onto Hempstead Avenue

0.9 mi · 2 min · Hempstead Avenue
55

Turn right onto 225th Street

228 ft · 9 sec · 225th Street
Use the right lane.
56

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward Cross Island Parkway South, Verrazano Bridge
57

Merge onto CI

1.6 mi · 2 min · Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
58

Continue on BP

1.3 mi · 1 min · Belt Parkway
59

Keep slight right at fork onto BP

279 ft · 3 sec · Belt Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
60

Take the exit

248 ft · 11 sec
Exit 24A Toward Francis Lewis Boulevard Use the straight / right lanes.
61

At end of road, turn right onto Laurelton Parkway

152 ft · 4 sec · Laurelton Parkway
62

Turn right onto Francis Lewis Boulevard

0.3 mi · 1 min · Francis Lewis Boulevard
63

Turn left onto NY 27

0.4 mi · 28 sec · South Conduit Avenue
Use the left lane.
64

Continue on NY 27

3.1 mi · 4 min · Sunrise Highway
65

Turn right onto Atlantic Avenue

1.1 mi · 2 min · Atlantic Avenue
66

At end of road, turn right onto Main Street

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Main Street
67

Arrive at destination

Main Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 8-hour, 20-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. Splitting the 399.8-mile journey over two days is highly recommended, with your longest stretch being 104.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway. Plan your two stops strategically to break up the drive and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway segments, as services can sometimes be spaced out. You can estimate your fuel cost at $66 for this trip.

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 199.9 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 4h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 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 88 miles or 2h 3m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 199.9 miles or 4h 14m 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 199.9 miles or 4h 14m

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 7h

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Rockaway, 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.

+

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 Buffalo, NY

Aim for roughly 200 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into East Rockaway, NY

Aim for roughly 200 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Buffalo, 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 104.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Union, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Union, NY

200 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 Union, NY

Overnight Options

Night 1

Union, NY

200 mi · about 4.2h in

A practical overnight split lands near Union, NY after about 200 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Hornell, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 88 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ithaca, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 199.9 miles from Buffalo, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.5 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 200 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Hapgoods Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 342.7

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19732993399

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Englewood, New Jersey

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 371.3

Hours: Closed

+12015675111

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hackensack, New Jersey

2.6 mi

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

South Hackensack, New Jersey

2.5 mi

Hapgoods Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 342.7

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+19732993399

Visit website

Fasil Mediterranean Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 342.7

Boonton, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19739173334

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately mile 371.3

Paramus, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12014871088

Visit website

Bosphorus Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 342.7

Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+19733359690

Visit website

Sayola Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately mile 371.3

Tenafly, New Jersey

Hours: 4–10 pm

+12018712182

Visit website

Lily and Liam

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 371.3

Englewood, New Jersey

Hours: Closed

+12015675111

Visit website

Marimba Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 371.3

Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12012563010

Visit website

Wonderland Play and Party

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 371.3

South Hackensack, New Jersey

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12014265898

Visit website

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 371.3

New York, New York

+19172614093

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 342.7

Denville, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 142.8

Elmira, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 199.9

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 199.9

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 199.9

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 342.7

Rockaway, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 342.7

Denville, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 257

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Overpeck County Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 371.3

Leonia, New Jersey

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+12013367275

Visit website

Buffalo Double Decker Tours

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Buffalo, NY

Hours: 12–8 pm

+17162469080

Visit website

Overpeck Park Playground

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 371.3

Ridgefield Park, New Jersey

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

Buffalo Naval Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Buffalo, NY

Hours: Closed

+17168471773

Visit website

Explore & More - The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children's Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+17166555131

Visit website

Buffalo Transportation Pierce Arrow Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+17168530084

Visit website

Canalside

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Buffalo, New York

+17164408919

Visit website

Veterans Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Buffalo, New York

Hours: 7 am–10:30 pm

+17168471773

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 43

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 394.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
9
255.8 mi into trip | ~5h 20m in | US 6

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
9
370.7 mi into trip | ~7h 37m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck
9
394.7 mi into trip | ~8h 12m in

Take the exit toward Francis Lewis Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 24A Toward Francis Lewis Boulevard

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$65.81 one way

$131.62 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 140 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $71.16 $142.32
premium $4.92 $77.49 $154.98
diesel $5.61 $88.27 $176.54

Estimated Tolls: $22.85

George Washington Bridge $16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge $6.55
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

$66

Tolls

$23

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$219–$329

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 139.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 119.9 1 $41.98 $19.19
Efficient EV 100 1 $34.98 $15.99
EV Truck/SUV 159.9 1 $55.97 $25.59

Gas CO2

140 kg

EV CO2

47 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 16, 2026

Origin

Buffalo, NY

Night in Buffalo on Saturday

Local time

9:13 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 12 mph 82% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

Destination

East Rockaway, NY

Night in East Rockaway on Saturday

Local time

9:13 PM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

53°F

Union, NY

200 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.

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

21 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 20m 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

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...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 372.2
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
View on nps.gov
Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 372.2
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 372.2
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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 372.2
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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 372.2
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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 372.2
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for 62% of this trip, utilizing major arteries such as the Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and I-81. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 104.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While largely on these main roads, the character can shift as you transition between them, offering a mix of consistent highway speeds and potential changes in scenery and traffic patterns. This route prioritizes efficient travel over winding backroads.

62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
67 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.5 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 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 43 significant decision points across 399.8 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 0.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 255.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Buffalo, NY and East Rockaway, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia, Teaneck and George Washington Bridge Upper Level.

Mt Pocono

255.8 mi in | ~5h 20m | via US 6

Milford

256.6 mi in | ~5h 21m | via I 84; I 380

New York City

370.4 mi in | ~7h 36m

Leonia

370.7 mi in | ~7h 37m

Teaneck

370.7 mi in | ~7h 37m

George Washington Bridge Upper Level

372.9 mi in | ~7h 41m

About the Cities

Starting in Buffalo, NY

Full guide →

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.

Arriving in East Rockaway, NY

Full guide →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 104.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. 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 200 miles on day one.

Expect about $22.85 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.

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 East Rockaway, 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 0.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 255.8 miles (US 6): 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 Stonewall 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 8.3 hours each way, a round trip means 16.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at East Rockaway, 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.

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Explore more options from Buffalo, NY or browse trips ending in East Rockaway, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.