This 305.8-mile drive from Buffalo, NY to Hudson Falls, NY will take approximately 6 hours and 16 minutes, making it a feasible one-day trip. You'll primarily travel on the New York State Thruway and the Adirondack Northway, with about 5% of the journey on other roads. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $50. This route is mostly highway driving, but keep an eye out for a more turn-heavy local feel as you approach your destination. Given the duration, planning an early start will allow for a comfortable pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
152.9 miles from Buffalo, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
247.6 mi
4h 46m
Adirondack Northway
15.4 mi
17m
Amsterdam Road
12.6 mi
17m
Kensington Expressway
6.8 mi
9m
State Highway 67
4.5 mi
7m
Reynolds Road
4.4 mi
6m
Malta Avenue
3.5 mi
6m
Church Street
1.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 247.6 mi, about 4h 46m
Traffic on I-87
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,225 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,102
Quietest
1 AM
~108 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
20.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 25 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 Buffalo, NY and Hudson Falls, NY.
1
Start on NY 384
0.1 mi·18 sec·Niagara Square
2
Continue on Court Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·Court Street
3
Continue on Lafayette Square
372 ft·18 sec·Lafayette Square
4
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·Washington Street
5
Turn right onto Genesee Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·Genesee Street
6
Turn left onto Elm Street
263 ft·7 sec·Elm Street
Use the left lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward NY 33 East
8
Continue on NY 33
6.8 mi·9 min·Kensington Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward I 90 East: Niagara Falls, AlbanyUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 90
248 mi·4 hr 46 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 27Toward NY 30: AmsterdamUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on this road
367 ft·12 sec·this road
13
Turn right onto NY 30
1.0 mi·1 min·NY 30
14
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 67
1.5 mi·4 min·Church Street
15
Continue on NY 67
4.5 mi·7 min·State Highway 67
16
Continue on NY 67
13 mi·17 min·Amsterdam Road
17
Continue on NY 67
0.6 mi·1 min·West High Street
18
Turn left onto NY 50
0.2 mi·33 sec·Milton Avenue
19
Turn right onto Malta Avenue
3.5 mi·6 min·Malta Avenue
20
Turn left onto US 9
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 9
21
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 North
22
Merge onto I 87
15 mi·17 min·Adirondack Northway
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Exit 17Toward US 9: South Glens Falls, Moreau State Park
24
Turn straight onto US 9
473 ft·7 sec·Saratoga Road
25
Continue on US 9
1.2 mi·2 min·Route 9
26
Turn right onto NY 197
4.4 mi·6 min·Reynolds Road
27
Continue on NY 197
0.3 mi·41 sec·Bridge Street
28
At end of road, turn left onto US 4
1.5 mi·3 min·Broadway
29
Continue on US 4
0.3 mi·28 sec·Lower Main Street
30
Continue on US 4
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
31
Turn right onto NY 196
20 ft·0 sec·Maple Street
32
Arrive at destination
NY 196
Trip Plan
You can comfortably complete this 305.8-mile journey in a single day, so aim for an early departure from Buffalo to maximize your daylight hours. While the longest stretch on the New York State Thruway is substantial, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs. The fuel cost is estimated at $50, so factor that into your budget. Be aware of the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile as you near Hudson Falls; this might mean slower speeds and more frequent turns, so stay alert. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to choose when and where you take a break.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 152.9 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 247.6 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 67 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.9 miles or 3h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hudson Falls, 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 305.8 miles and 6h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Buffalo, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 247.6 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 296.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Washington Street
Turn left onto Washington Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in|Elm Street
Turn left onto Elm Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
7.9 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 90 East: Niagara Falls, Albany
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 90 East: Niagara Falls, Albany
7
255.8 mi into trip|~4h 59m in
Take the exit toward NY 30: Amsterdam
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 27
Toward NY 30: Amsterdam
6
296.9 mi into trip|~6h in
Take the exit toward US 9: South Glens Falls, Moreau State Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 17
Toward US 9: South Glens Falls, Moreau State Pa...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.47 one way
$98.94 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$53.68
$107.37
premium
$4.85
$58.37
$116.73
diesel
$4.80
$57.74
$115.48
Estimated Tolls: $12.38
New York State Thruway
(247.6 mi)$12.38
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
$49
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.7
1
$32.11
$14.68
Efficient EV
76.5
0
$26.76
$12.23
EV Truck/SUV
122.3
1
$42.81
$19.57
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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 17, 2026
Origin
Buffalo, NY
Morning
in Buffalo on Sunday
Local time
11:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Smoke
SW 1 to 6 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Hudson Falls, NY
Morning
in Hudson Falls on Sunday
Local time
11:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
NW 5 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.
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
3 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
6h 16m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Fort Stanwix National Monument
National Monument
For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes. When Eur...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 179.3
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 105.5
In 1777, a large British invasion force met an equally large American army here at Saratoga. After two intense battles, an eight-mile retreat, and a three-day siege, British General John Burgoyne surr...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 284.7
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 116
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience for much of this route, with the New York State Thruway accounting for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 247.6 miles. As you transition to the Adirondack Northway, the road character remains largely consistent with high-speed travel. However, the data indicates a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, suggesting you'll encounter more varied road conditions and turns, especially in the latter stages as you get closer to Hudson Falls. Only about 5% of the total mileage is on non-highway roads, so the majority of your time will be spent on faster routes.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 247.6 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Washington Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 305.8 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 6h 16m. Total distance: 305.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 247.6 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $12.38 in tolls one way, starting with New York State 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.
Yes — we found about 35 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 Hudson Falls, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (Elm Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Stanwix National Monument, Women's Rights National Historical Park and Saratoga National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hudson Falls, NY before the return drive.
