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Trip from Buffalo, NY to Eltingville, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

8h 2m

Distance

380 mi

612 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$63

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
7h 54m ★
6 AM
8h 2m
8 AM
8h 19m
10 AM
8h 8m
12 PM
8h 7m
3 PM
8h 9m
5 PM
8h 19m
8 PM
7h 57m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Buffalo, NY, NY

Buffalo, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Eltingville, NY, NY

Eltingville, NY

Peter Olexa

Trip Overview

Buffalo, NY to Eltingville, NY is 380 miles and takes about 8h 2m via Southern Tier Expressway, I 81, and Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $63 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive focuses on the Northeast region, taking you across New York and into Pennsylvania before returning to New York. It's a highway-heavy trip, best suited for those who prefer covering ground efficiently. With a recommended two-day duration, you can break up the journey comfortably, making it a manageable drive for most travelers.

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 miles from Buffalo, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 2m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Southern Tier Expressway 104.5 mi 2h 2m
I 81 53.4 mi 1h 3m
Keystone Shortway 44.4 mi 57m
Genesee Expressway 32.6 mi 37m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
I 287 22 mi 25m
US 206 17.9 mi 28m
Aurora Expressway 12.4 mi 14m
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 Eltingville, 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

44 mi · 57 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
33

Take the exit onto US 206

0.2 mi · 24 sec · US 206
Exit 27A-B Toward SH 183 North, US 206 South: Netcong, Somerville Use the slight right lane.
34

Keep slight right at fork onto US 206

0.3 mi · 32 sec · US 206
Toward US 206 South: Somerville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
35

Continue on US 206

17 mi · 27 min · US 206
Use the straight lane.
36

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward I 287 South: Somerville, Princeton Use the slight right lane.
37

Merge onto I 287

1.3 mi · 1 min · I 287
38

Keep slight left at fork onto I 287

21 mi · 24 min · I 287
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
39

Continue on NJ 440

5.7 mi · 8 min · NJ 440
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 10 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 16 sec
42

Merge onto NY 440

0.2 mi · 18 sec · West Shore Expressway
43

Keep slight left at fork onto KWV

2.7 mi · 4 min · Korean War Veterans Parkway
Exit 2 Use the slight left lane.
44

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward Arden Avenue, Annadale Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45

Turn straight onto Drumgoole Road East

301 ft · 11 sec · Drumgoole Road East
46

Turn right onto Arden Avenue

0.8 mi · 2 min · Arden Avenue
Use the right lane.
47

Turn left onto Amboy Road

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Amboy Road
Use the left lane.
48

Turn left onto Richmond Avenue

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Richmond Avenue
Use the left lane.
49

Arrive at destination

Richmond Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 8-hour drive time and recommended two-day pace, consider departing mid-morning on your first day to allow for a leisurely start and reach a comfortable stopping point. With two designated stops and a longest stretch of over 100 miles, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, especially as you transition between the Southern Tier Expressway and I-81. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the Pennsylvania section; while the overall fuel cost is estimated at $63, it's always wise to top off when convenient on longer highway stretches.

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 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 4h 2m 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 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 miles or 4h 2m 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 miles or 4h 2m

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 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eltingville, 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 190 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Eltingville, NY

Aim for roughly 190 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 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.

town in Broome County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Vestal, 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 Vestal, NY

Overnight Options

Night 1

Vestal, NY

190 mi · about 4h in

A practical overnight split lands near Vestal, NY after about 190 miles or 4 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Hornell, 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 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 190 miles or 4 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 33

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 329.3 — 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
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
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...
8
329.3 mi into trip | ~6h 50m in | US 206

Take the exit onto US 206 toward SH 183 North, US 206 South: Netcong, Somerville

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 27A-B Toward SH 183 North, US 206 South: Netcong, Som...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$62.55 one way

$125.10 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 133 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $67.64 $135.27
premium $4.92 $73.65 $147.30
diesel $5.61 $83.90 $167.80

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

$63

Tolls

$0

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$193–$303

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 133 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 114 1 $39.90 $18.24
Efficient EV 95 1 $33.25 $15.20
EV Truck/SUV 152 1 $53.20 $24.32

Gas CO2

133 kg

EV CO2

44 kg (67% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Buffalo, NY

Morning in Buffalo on Sunday

Local time

6:02 AM

EDT

Current temp

73°F

Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 14 to 20 mph 85% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT

Destination

Eltingville, NY

Morning in Eltingville on Sunday

Local time

6:02 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°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

26 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 2m 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.

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...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour Free near mile 380
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...

13 mi from route ~34 min detour Free near mile 380
View on nps.gov
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...

13 mi from route ~33 min detour Free near mile 380
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...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free near mile 380
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...

14 mi from route ~36 min detour Free near mile 380
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...

14 mi from route ~35 min detour Free near mile 380
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 primarily a highway-focused drive, with 74% of it utilizing major expressways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Southern Tier Expressway, which offers the longest uninterrupted stretch at 104.5 miles. While the journey involves some interstate travel, the inclusion of routes like the Keystone Shortway can offer a slightly different driving experience compared to a pure interstate loop. Expect a consistent pace for much of the drive, allowing for relatively quick progress.

74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
49 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 I 81. 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 33 significant decision points across 380 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 7.1 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 Buffalo, NY and Eltingville, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Sh 183 North, Somerville and Princeton.

Mt Pocono

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

Milford

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

Sh 183 North

329.3 mi in | ~6h 50m | via US 206

Somerville

329.3 mi in | ~6h 50m | via US 206

Princeton

347.2 mi in | ~7h 19m

About the Cities

Starting 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 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 190 miles on day one.

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.

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 Eltingville, 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 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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

Not recommended in a single day. At 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 16.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Eltingville, 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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