Buffalo to Hurley is 342.3 miles and takes about 6h 41m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, taking you from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. The route offers a straightforward path with a significant portion on the New York State Thruway, making it a practical choice for a single-day drive. You'll encounter mostly surface roads after the Thruway, so be prepared for a change in driving pace as you near your destination. It's a good option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground within the state.
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
171.1 miles from Buffalo, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
329.8 mi
6h 21m
Kensington Expressway
6.8 mi
9m
Clayton 'Peg Leg' Bates Highway
2.3 mi
2m
State Route 28
0.5 mi
<1m
Genesee Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Washington Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Court Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 329.8 mi, about 6h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, NY and Hurley, 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
273 mi·5 hr 15 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway
57 mi·1 hr 6 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, BostonUse the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 19Toward NY 28: Kingston, Rhinecliff Bridge
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
14
Merge onto NY 28
0.5 mi·50 sec·State Route 28
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
16
Merge onto US 209
2.3 mi·2 min·Clayton 'Peg Leg' Bates Highway
17
Turn right onto CR 29A
434 ft·16 sec·Wynkoop Road
18
Turn right onto CR 29
0.1 mi·15 sec·Old Route 209
19
Continue on CR 29
0.3 mi·42 sec·Main Street
20
Turn left onto CR 29
63 ft·1 sec·Hurley Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
CR 29
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 41m estimated drive time, departing early in the morning from Buffalo is advisable to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic. The route includes only one recommended stop, but with flexibility, you can break up the 329.8-mile highway stretch as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you approach the end of the New York State Thruway, as services might become less frequent on the subsequent surface roads. The $61 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you go. Plan to be on surface roads like Kensington Expressway and Clayton 'Peg Leg' Bates Highway for a portion of your trip, so be mindful of local speed limits.
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 171.1 miles from Buffalo, NY, or about 3h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 329.8 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 75 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.1 miles or 3h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hurley, 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 342.3 miles and 6h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 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 329.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 338 — 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
8
280.7 mi into trip|~5h 28m in|New York State Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
6
338 mi into trip|~6h 34m in
Take the exit toward NY 28: Kingston, Rhinecliff Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 19
Toward NY 28: Kingston, Rhinecliff Bridge
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.92 one way
$119.83 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$64.93
$129.86
premium
$5.23
$70.48
$140.96
diesel
$6.28
$84.58
$169.16
Estimated Tolls: $16.49
New York State Thruway
(329.8 mi)$16.49
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
$60
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$101–$126
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.7
1
$35.94
$16.43
Efficient EV
85.6
0
$29.95
$13.69
EV Truck/SUV
136.9
1
$47.92
$21.91
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Buffalo, NY
Evening
in Buffalo on Thursday
Local time
6:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Clear
S 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Hurley, NY
Evening
in Hurley on Thursday
Local time
6:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
NE 2 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
19 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 41m 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.
Women's Rights National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 106.2
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 188.8
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...
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 271.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway cruising, with 67% of the 342.3 miles on the New York State Thruway. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 329.8 miles on this highway before transitioning to surface roads. The profile indicates mostly surface roads after the highway segment, so anticipate a shift from high-speed travel to more local driving conditions. Expect a noticeable change in traffic patterns and speed limits as you exit the Thruway.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 329.8 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Washington Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 342.3 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 0.3 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
819 ft163 ft
Total Climb
539 ft
Total Descent
939 ft
Highest Point
819 ft
~24.4 mi in
Elevation Range
656 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 Hurley, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Boston 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 6h 41m. Total distance: 342.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 41m 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 329.8 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.49 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 42 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 Hurley, 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 42 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 — Women's Rights National Historical Park, Fort Stanwix National Monument and Harriet Tubman 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 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hurley, NY before the return drive.
