Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 12m
Distance
317.3 mi
511 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buffalo, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Jefferson Heights, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
This 317.3-mile journey from Buffalo, NY, to Jefferson Heights, NY, is designed for a single day of driving, estimated to take about 6 hours and 12 minutes. You'll primarily be on the New York State Thruway, with some time on Kensington Expressway and CR 23B. With a fuel cost estimated at $52, this route offers a straightforward trip entirely within New York. The drive is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, suggesting it’s not a simple interstate cruise. Consider this a manageable day trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently within the Northeast region.
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
158.6 miles from Buffalo, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 7m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 307.3 mi | 5h 55m |
| Kensington Expressway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| CR 23B | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Genesee Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Washington Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Court Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Niagara Square | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Lafayette Square | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, NY and Jefferson Heights, NY.
Start on NY 384
Continue on Court Street
Continue on Lafayette Square
Turn left onto Washington Street
Turn right onto Genesee Street
Turn left onto Elm Street
Take the exit
Continue on NY 33
Take the exit
Merge onto I 90
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto CR 23B
Arrive at destination
Given the 6-hour, 12-minute duration, this route is best tackled as a single-day trip. Aim for an early morning departure from Buffalo to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially if you encounter the 'turn-heavy local drive' sections later in the day. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or before transitioning to more complex local roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $52 estimated cost is based on the total distance; ensure you have enough to comfortably reach your destination in Jefferson Heights.
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 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 70 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.6 miles or 3h 7m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson Heights, NY than in the middle of the route.
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 317.3 miles and 6h 12m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
159 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 158.6 miles from Buffalo, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 307.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 316.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Elm Street
Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Take the exit toward NY 23: Catskill, Cairo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward Catskill, Hudson, Tannersville, Hunter, Windham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$52.23 one way
$104.46 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $56.48 | $112.95 |
| premium | $4.92 | $61.50 | $123.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $70.06 | $140.11 |
Estimated Tolls: $15.37
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
$52
Tolls
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95.2 | 1 | $33.32 | $15.23 |
| Efficient EV | 79.3 | 0 | $27.76 | $12.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.9 | 1 | $44.42 | $20.31 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Buffalo on Sunday
Local time
7:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Morning in Jefferson Heights on Sunday
Local time
7:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
39°F
Whitesboro, NY
159 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
National Historical Park
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...
National Historical Park
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a route with a significant highway share, around 2%, but with a profile described as 'turn-heavy local drive.' While there's a substantial longest stretch of 307.3 miles on the New York State Thruway, the overall character suggests you'll transition between faster highway segments and more intricate local roads. This blend means you won't be on a monotonous interstate for the entire 6 hours and 12 minutes; be prepared for changes in pace and direction as you navigate through various parts of New York.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near Elm Street.
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 317.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.8 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; at 280.7 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Buffalo, NY to Jefferson Heights, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Boston along the way.
Boston
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 12m. Total distance: 317.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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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